Masvingo Provincial Cookout Competitions 2025

The 2025 Provincial Traditional Cookout Competitions are ongoing. Today  Minister, Hon Barbara Rwodzi presided over the Masvingo province event at Masvingo Polytechnic College.
Forty four (44) contestants classified under professional chefs, students, community including men and persons with disabilities were vying for the first prize. The breakdown were as follows:
*ProffessionioalChefs* 8
*Students* 9
*Community* 20
*PWDs* 7
The contestants were drawn across the Province,from as far as Mwenezi, Gutu, Chibi, Bikita and Gutu districts. The students were from Masvingo Polytechnic and Teachers College, Great Zimbabwe University, Reformed Church University,Mushagashe among others.
Various local traditional dishes were prepared including the Zimbabwean signature dish known as “Hiyifiridzi” and unique Masvingo Province dishes that resemble the Province’s natural resources and heritage such as runinga, rupiza, nhopi, mukumbi, hwakwa, makosvo, nhunguru,mawuyu among others.

First Lady, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa in 2019, in a bid to promote our own signature as a nation. Hon Rwodzi applauded First Lady for hosting the first Gastronomy forum in Africa in 2024 after her efforts were recognised and appreciated by the UN Tourism.Honorable  Rwodzi indicated that Tourism has become the highest contributor to the growth of Zimbabwe GDP in 2024. She revealed that since the beginning of this year to date, the country has received more than one million international tourists which is an indication of the positive results from the endorsement of Destination Zimbabwe by UN Tourism since they hosted the first ever African Gastronomy Forum in Victoria Falls in July 2024.

The Minister also indicated that the Ministry of Tourism is making significant strides to promote domestic tourism through promoting religious, rural and medical tourism. In light of promoting medical tourism, Mogenster hospital will be supported and enhanced to accommodate patients and their companions. Honourable B Rwodzi also added that in line with the Decentralisation and Devolution agenda, the 2026 Sanganani/ Hlanganani Edition will be held in Masvingo province.
Today’s event had a huge turnout showing the acceptance of government programs by citizens.