Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Hon Barbara Rwodzi (in yellow dress) poses for a picture with Ashava Designs team.
By Dickson Bandera
Zimbabwe’s ethnic and souvenir centre, Ashava Designs scooped the prestigious Best SME Tourism Related Facility Stand Award at the 16th edition of the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo Awards.
The World Tourism Expo ran from 12 to 14 October 2023 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds in Bulawayo, with more than 360 companies exhibiting and thousands of local and international buyers attending.
Ashava Designs stand attractively paraded an assortment of fashion in African print, traditional tools, instruments, weapons, beads and carvings of wild animals.
The products on display, the stand setup plus the exhibition team turned the stand into an eye-catching masterpiece, leading to the award.
Director and Chief Designer of Ashava Designs, Ms Rose Vambe was ecstatic for the award saying this year she roped in two professionals; an upcoming artiste who is into beads and a beautician, to fully express the African and Zimbabwean pride themes.
“On display we had ethnic and tourism related shirts, dresses, skirts, shorts handbags, satchels, traveling bags, in various designs and colours. We also had our national attire which got good sales,” she said.
“I had to complement with and upcoming artiste who is into beads and a beautician who was doing our make ups in relation to what we were wearing on each day. We would then all dress up and make a statement.
“In essence, I had to work with the ladies because I was trying to showcase what women can do together,” she said.
The trio combined style, class and colour to create a compelling presence at the expo and this lured guests to stop and learn more about the Ashava Designs.
Said Ms Vambe, “Most people who passed by our stand would be attracted to come and have inquires. We got many interviews as people wanted to know how we were able to build this unique business brand.”
She also said the incorporation of the Zimbabwe bird, wild animals, drums, hosho, spears among other motifs were inspired by the need to exhibit Zimbabwean identity.
Ms Vambe said she is indebted to the assistance she gets from government and the ZTA.
“I want to thank our government for opening up the space for entrepreneurship and giving women an opportunity. I thank the Ministry of Tourism for organizing this magnificent platform for us to showcase our products to the world.
“I also want to thank Mr Karikoga Kaseke (former ZTA CEO) and his team who identified me in 2007 at my first exhibition. They encouraged me to soldier on and since 2007 I have never jumped any Exhibition here,” she said.
“This year I feel it was the year to be recognized for the hard work I am doing with my team. I am very happy for this Award,” she added.
In the same category, Marketers Association of Zimbabwe came third while Kyperr Connect came second.
African prints are a celebration of African and Zimbabwean culture and a great way to express love with Zimbabwe and Africa.