By Lisca Philo
In a welcome development for Persons Living with Disabilities, the Harare Province edition of Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition 2025 has incorporated a category for people with disabilities.
The competition is part of the country’s efforts to promote gastronomy, township tourism, and community empowerment.
There were hundreds of people from different parts of Harare and institutions that gathered to witness the Harare Province cookout competition, which comprised professional chefs, tertiary students, and members of the community.
The category had 20 participants, while the professional chefs and students’ categories each had 10 participants. The newly added category of people with disabilities had five participants and comprised four categories which included the category of people people with disabilities,community participants,students and professional chefs.
Notable guests who where present included senior Government officials from various ministries, such as Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Development, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, as well as the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
“We want to thank our First Lady for this initiative and for being a patron who is giving us a good direction that is even recognised by UN Tourism which has given our destination an endorsement,” Minister Rwodzi said.
She also revealed that since the inaugural United Nations (UN Tourism) Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa held last year in Victoria Falls there has been a significant improvement in the tourism sector.
“From 2024 July up to now as we are speaking, we are experiencing a number and a number of tourists that are coming from international markets because UN Tourism has endorsed our destinations in a way.”
The cookout programme is a concept introduced by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in 2019.
Since then, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has been tasked to coordinate the implementation of the programme together with provinces and other line ministries.
Minister Rwodzi also highlighted that Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition has made notable strides in inclusivity this year by introducing persons living with disabilities.
“Amai has introduced a new approach this year, bringing together people with disabilities and men who can cook for their families, promoting unity and inclusivity
The competition promoted Zimbabwe’s signature dish, the “highfiridzi”, which is a delectable mix of beef and leafy greens (rape/covo or tsunga) simmered to perfection.
From the four categories, the judges selected the top three winners, who will proceed to the national cookout competition once all provincial competitions have been completed.
