First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa

By Dickson Bandera

A total of 100 students are set to benefit from international scholarships awarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in recognition of the works of the First Lady of Zimbabwe and Patron of Zimbabwe Tourism, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.

The First Lady took a vibrant gastrony tourism campaign in Zimbabwe where she toured various rural areas teaching on gastrony tourism.

This was noticed by the UNWTO, who this year invited her to the forum in Spain which is being held under the theme: “Back to the Roots”.

The scholarships will be undertaken at the IE University, one of the world’s leading institutions of higher education which shapes people with a global vision, humanistic approach, and entrepreneurial spirit.

The awarding of the scholarships by the global tourism promotion body, shows how the First Lady’s efforts to promote gastronomy tourism are not going unnoticed.

In awarding the scholarships at the Zimbabwe stand on the sidelines of the 8th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, in Donostia-San Sebastian City, Spain, UNWTO Secretary-General Mr Zurab Pololikashvili and his team showed appreciation of Zimbabwean food and beverages like Mapfura wine from Mwenezi, Traditional utensils and instruments like mbira which were being showcased at the stand.

The scholarships were received by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbara Rwodzi on behalf of the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa. Minister Rwodzi expressed her gratitude to the work that is being done by the First Lady to boost tourism.

The Vice Chancellor for the University of Zimbabwe Professor Paul Mapfumo also thanked the First Lady who opened doors and opportunities through her invitation by the UNWTO and that opening of opportunities will brought the future foward.