GZU Takes Top Honours at Sanganai Expo

By Staff Reporter | Masvingo

Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) emerged as one of the biggest winners as the 2026 Sanganai/Hlanganani/Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo closed in Masvingo, scooping the overall Top Rated Exhibition award and Best Training Institution Exhibition award.

The four-day tourism showcase, held from September 9 to 12 at the Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre, attracted more than 400 exhibitors, including tourism operators, Government departments, financial institutions, airlines, educational institutions and international participants.

Final figures reported from the expo put the number of exhibitors at 405, while 125 international buyers and 28 local buyers attended the event. The awards ceremony brought together tourism industry players and Government officials, with Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbra Rwodzi representing First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa. The First Lady's message, delivered by Rwodzi, emphasised the need for Zimbabwe's tourism industry to pursue sustainable and inclusive growth while ensuring that tourism delivers lasting benefits to communities.

GZU's double victory was particularly significant for the host province, with the Masvingo-based university demonstrating the role education and skills development can play in the country's tourism industry. In the Best Training Institution category, Belvedere Teachers College was runner-up, while Manicaland State University came third. Manicaland State University also took the Best Rural Tourism Exhibition award, followed by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe and Zibagwe Rural District Council.

Investment interest for Masvingo

The expo also generated significant interest in Masvingo as a tourism and investment destination. Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa said the event had exceeded expectations and created opportunities that could have a lasting impact on the provincial economy.

He said investors had expressed serious interest in Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, Zimbabwe's largest inland water reservoir, as well as plans for a five-star hotel and conference centre in Masvingo. “The event was phenomenal and oversubscribed. It has boosted the Masvingo economy and the province will never be the same again,” Pazvakavambwa said. “We have investors who showed serious interest in constructing a five-star hotel and a conference centre. This shows the level of business the province is going to get.”

Tugwi-Mukosi was among the attractions promoted during the expo as Masvingo sought to position itself beyond Great Zimbabwe and showcase its wider adventure, wildlife, heritage and investment opportunities. Masvingo City Town Clerk Engineer Mukaratirwa said the city had benefited from the business activity generated by the expo and expected some of the relationships created during the event to continue beyond the four-day showcase.

“We want to thank all key stakeholders, especially the Office of the Minister of State. The tourism expo brought significant business opportunities to the city, and we expect the benefits generated during the event to continue beyond the expo,” he said. He said feedback from visitors had also been positive, with delegates commending the city's cleanliness and service delivery.

Gweru beats host city

Gweru City Council won the Best Local Authority Exhibition award, ahead of host Masvingo City Council, with Zibagwe Rural District Council taking third place. Harare Publicity Association won Best Publicity Association Exhibition, followed by Masvingo Publicity Association. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) was named Best Public Institution Exhibition, with Airports Company of Zimbabwe and National Handling Services completing the top three.

In financial services, CBZ took first place ahead of Old Mutual and Stanbic Bank. Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) won Best Hotel Exhibition, followed by Urban Lifestyle and Great Zimbabwe Hotel. Cerutti Lodge was named Best Lodge Exhibition, while Manna Safari Resort won Best Safari Camp Exhibition ahead of Ngamo Dam Safaris and Gonarezhou Conservation Trust.

NetOne was named Best Tourism Supplier Exhibition, followed by Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Econet Wireless. Easygo Driving School won the Best Car Hire Exhibition category, with Impala Car Rental and Murare Car Rental taking second and third positions respectively. In the international category, Zambia Tourism Agency was named the leading international exhibitor, ahead of Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency and Malawi.

The expo's strong turnout represented a significant increase in participation from the previous edition. Before the event, organisers had reported 392 registered exhibitors against a target of 400, up 14.3 percent from 343 exhibitors in 2025. International buyers had also increased by 49.4 percent to 133 registered buyers before the expo. For Masvingo, the challenge now is to convert the exposure and investor interest generated by Sanganai/Hlanganani into actual tourism projects, new accommodation capacity, conference business and sustained visitor spending.

With Great Zimbabwe, Tugwi-Mukosi, Gonarezhou and other attractions forming part of its tourism offering, the province is seeking to establish itself as more than a host for one major annual event. The 2026 expo has provided a significant platform for that ambition.

Sanganai Hlanganani 2026