Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
TOURISM Minister Walter Mzembi has revealed plans to spread the Harare International Carnival (HIC) to other provinces as part of their efforts to have tourists visiting different parts of Zimbabwe while also showcasing diverse cultures.
The HIC, which came to a close last Saturday after a massive street party in Harare’s central business district, was a melting pot of cultures with a mean feat of colourful outfits being displayed and beautiful people parading and dancing. The event was, despite showcasing different cultures from as far as Brazil, Italy and Egypt, held to give Zimbabweans a form of escape from day to day hardships and realities of life.
In its third year running, the carnival street party alone attracted over 30,000 attendees from across the country and abroad.
Impressed by the attendance which to Minister Mzembi was an endorsement of the carnival from the masses, he posted on his Facebook fan page:
“Thank you all for a great carnival spirit which was celebrated without incident. I get one message clearly, our people wanted an escape, no matter how momentary from their stressful lives, be it Zesa, poor cashflows, incessant water supply or whatever. They wish this could happen monthly.
But what I can promise of course is this event will be held once a year in all our 10 provincial capitals going forward.
“Each host capital will choose an ideal month so we spread them throughout the year, and the nation is rallied behind successive hosts.”
He said this would only be possible if host cities partner with their local authorities and businesspeople, just like they did with the City of Harare.
“For me as a politician and government minister,” he said, “there’s no greater joy in my station than to conceive policies and programmes that connect spontaneously with the people. Their endorsement means we’re on the right track.”
The minister, who led by dressing up for the carnival in a Zorro outfit, however bemoaned the lack of support from corporates, saying they were missing opportunities to market their products to larger markets.
“What I bemoan is commerce failing to recognise this immense marketing and promotion opportunity to pitch their product, Delta, Coca-Cola, Nandos, Innscor, Water Purifiers, Chicken Slice and others. This is your time, but of course one notices an elitist preference to associate with
‘Northern Suburbs’ entertainment menus.”
The HIC is a week-long annual festival that encompasses a series of events and festivities aimed at advancing the arts, culture and heritage of Zimbabwe as well as uniting the populace.
“The carnival is all about celebrating diversity, getting communities together to know one another in the love and harmony that builds the country into a peaceful and promising place for everyone,” Minister Mzembi said.