By Munyaradzi Blessing Doma in Masvingo

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has urged Masvingo residents to embrace and enjoy the festivities lined up ahead of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo, saying the event should bring both happiness and economic opportunities to the province.

The tourism expo will be held at the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre from September 9 to 12.

As part of the build-up, Masvingo residents were treated to sports, street, gastronomy and music carnivals, with activities designed to showcase the province’s culture while generating opportunities for local businesses and creatives.

“We are a ministry of happiness, this is the happiness we have brought so that we celebrate all that you have done to prepare for Sanganai,” Rwodzi said.

“Let’s have fun, ladies and gentlemen, we are here to have fun and to celebrate this province.”

Rwodzi said the festivities were also creating economic opportunities for people involved in food, entertainment and other tourism-related activities.

“We have clustered the tourism sector, it is in 13 clusters, not just for the sake of it, but we clustered our tourism sector in 13 sub-sectors so that we as the people in tourism understand everything that happens in tourism,” she said.

She said the approach was aligned with the country’s Vision 2030 agenda, adding that the carnivals were demonstrating how tourism could benefit ordinary people.

“The people who are cooking here will also have economic benefits and also with the entertainment tourism which we are witnessing today, there are benefits,” Rwodzi said.

Minister of Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said it was fitting for Masvingo to host this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani expo because of its historical significance.

“It is only fitting that Zimbabwe House of Stone's 2026 celebrations bringing together regional flavours and sounds takes place in the very birthplace of our national identity,” Chadzamira said.

He said the festivities were celebrating tourism, culture and local peace while supporting socio-economic development under the devolution agenda.

“Gastronomy tourism is more than just food, it is a celebration of our history, soil and indigenous knowledge systems,” he said.

Chadzamira said local dishes and delicacies were helping Masvingo share its identity with visitors while promoting sustainable lifestyles.

He also highlighted music as a driver of the creative economy, saying it provided opportunities for youth empowerment and cultural exchange.

“Music serves as a universal language that transcends borders as regional and local artists take the stage. We celebrate the creative economy as a powerful engine for youth empowerment and cultural exchange,” he said.

Chadzamira said Masvingo was unlocking opportunities through tourism, infrastructure, agriculture, gastronomy and community-based cultural enterprises.

“Event hosting of this scale reinforces our province's strategic position as a premier tourist destination, blending cultural heritage with scenic natural attractions like Lake Mutirikwi, Tokwe Mukosi, Gonarezhou National Parks,” he said.

Saturday’s festivities began in the central business district before proceeding to Caravan Park, where the gastronomy and music carnivals were held.