By Evans Dakwa, News Editor
Bulawayo-The 17th Edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Tourism Expo roared into life yesterday and the innovative impact perpetuated by the Second Republics educational policy, the Heritage Based Education 5.0 was on full parade.
Various tertiary institutions, had exhibition stands laden with commercial products made out of the innovative minds spurred by Heritage Education 5.0. From the chakata juice made Zvambwa, Baobab yoghurt to Mnnyi and Masau fruit Cakes, educational policy is indeed bearing fruits.
Belvedere Technical Teachers college has even gone a step further to amplify the production of entrepreneurs by establishing Spreading the Heights Investments, a company run by students which is making use of locally available resources to manufacture goods used in the hospitality sector.
Not to be left out is the “University of Choice, as the Great Zimbabwe University calls itself as they showcased their value added products and degree programs available at the Masvingo headquartered institution.
Lupane University came with their own depiction of how the food culture of Zimbabwe has evolved and using the concept to blend modernity with our traditional food systems knowledge.
The country’s oldest University, the UZ showed that indeed they have come a long way by using education 5.0 to entrench a value chain cycle that is consistent for the benefit of not only their enterprising students but the communities responsible for sourcing the traditional fruits and value added products like mabumbe powder.
Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Professor Amon Murwira spoke to Ziyah News Network after visiting Tertiary institutions exhibition stands, expressing his delight, indicating the country is on the cusp of a revolution driven by Education 5.0.
“Today we are looking at tourism and we can see the innovative minds, His Excellency DrED Mnangagwa has given us the chance to innovate, so that our creative young minds can go to town and what I see is a movement towards a revolution of making Zimbabwean food, Zimbabwean be truly Zimbabwean and Heritage based,” said Professor Murwira.
Professor Murwira also highlighted that the Government is making sure that the essence of Heritage 5.0 is realised by allowing the education system to lead in creating a better life for the nation at large.
“The essence of Heritage Education 5.0 is to be able to develop an economy that has full Zimbabwean characteristics, that has full Zimbabwean ownership at least on a larger percent to allow our education to create a good life for us, so am very happy with what I am seeing, he added.
Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is the premium tourism fete in Zimbabwe where players in the tourism and hospitality sector come together to showcase and market product and services. The Expo gives the Zimbabwean feel, Zimbabwean hospitality to the world.