Zimbabwe Tourism Authority boss,Karikoga Kaseke, last week donated $10 000 towards the administration of the 2016 Miss Tourism beauty pageant. The donation which was made in cash follows acute cash shortages currently prevailing in the country.
During his address at the rebranding of the Miss Carnival to Miss Tourism 2016 at a local hotel in Harare, Kaseke, donated $10 000 which he says was meant to help in the preparations for Miss Tourism 2016 .
Although, he did not display the cash, Kaseke boasted that he had brought the money as a donation to the beauty pageant.
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“I have brought $10 000 dollars which I would like to give towards the administration of Miss Tourism 2016,” said Kaseke.
As the cash crisis continue to bite, Reserve bank governor Dr John Mangudya announced measures meant to easy the crisis among them being a daily withdrawal of $1000. Kaseke’s donation however raises more question than answers as to how he acquired such money at a time when Zimbabweans are failing to access their savings from banks.
The ZTA, chief executive officer had a hard time in trying to defend, Miss Tourism patron, Mrs Barbara Mzembi, against claims that his husband, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Dr Walter Mzembi, might have used his position to influence her appointment.
Mrs Mzembi, acknowledged the donation saying it will go a long way in addressing the challenges that have always been attached to the previous pageants.
“I would like to thank Mr Kaseke for the donation as it will assist to fulfill dreams of the girl child in Zimbabwe,” said Mrs Mzembi adding that Miss Tourism Zimbabwe must be a dream of every Zimbabwean girl.
She also encouraged ordinary Zimbabweans to donate towards ensuring that Zimbabwean girls realise their full potential through modelling.
“Even a single dollar can bring change to the girl child, so everyone should just offer to help a girl child out there.
“This project is meant to benefit the Zimbabwean girl child and we welcome girls from across all divides as our main focus is their ability to represent our beautiful country to the world,” she said.
Speaking at that same event, Minister Mzembi said that the Miss Tourism brand will bring change to the country.
