By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE – There is a particular warmth that greets visitors to Zimbabwe. It is not merely the mild autumn air of May, nor the famous hospitality of its people.
It is something deeper – a feeling, perhaps, of being genuinely welcomed as family.
That feeling found its most powerful expression this morning at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, when the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe, stepped off the plane and offered words that no tourism brochure could fully capture.
“Zimbabwe is my home, we are all one people,” Dr. Motsepe said, his voice carrying the weight of continental football leadership but his words carrying the intimacy of a returning relative.
The South African billionaire and football administrator had arrived in Harare ahead of the COSAFA Elective General Assembly, but his reception suggested something far grander than a routine sporting meeting.
Waiting on the tarmac to welcome him were the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, Zimbabwe International Football Association President Mr. Nqobile Magwizi, and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr. George Manyaya.
It was a scene carefully choreographed but genuinely felt – a visual testament to how Zimbabwe is weaving together tourism, sport, and hospitality into a single, compelling narrative for the continent and the world.
A Vote of Confidence from African Football’s Highest Office
Dr. Motsepe, who has led CAF since 2021, did not come with empty praise. He took the opportunity to publicly applaud the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, for championing Sports Tourism through football and for creating an environment that promotes unity, investment, and international engagement.
For a man who has overseen the transformation of African football infrastructure and governance, Motsepe’s words carried the weight of a powerful endorsement. When the head of African football calls a nation “home,” the continent listens.
More Than a Game: The Soft Power of Sports Tourism
Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, who has been an energetic advocate for Destination Zimbabwe, was quick to frame the moment in broader terms.
She emphasized that Sports Tourism is not merely about filling stadiums or hosting meetings. It is, she explained, a critical driver of soft diplomacy, regional integration, and economic growth.
“Sport brings people together across borders, across languages, and across differences,” the Minister noted during her engagement with Dr. Motsepe. “When we host continental gatherings like the COSAFA General Assembly, we are not just hosting football administrators. We are showcasing Zimbabwe as a peaceful, welcoming, and competitive tourism destination.”
The strategy is already showing results. Zimbabwe has been steadily positioning itself as a hub for regional and continental events – from CAF meetings to tourism expos, from cultural festivals to business conferences. Each visitor who arrives for one purpose often leaves with another: the desire to return as a tourist, to explore Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park, or the Eastern Highlands.
Football, Hospitality, and the Zimbabwean Welcome
What makes Zimbabwe’s approach to sports tourism distinct is the seamless integration of hospitality. The welcome extended to Dr. Motsepe was not ceremonial formality; it was a living demonstration of what the country offers every visitor: dignity, warmth, and efficiency.
The presence of Dr. George Manyaya, CEO of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, alongside the Minister and football leadership, underscored this integration. Tourism is no longer an afterthought to sporting events. It is a co-host.
As Dr. Motsepe makes his way through the COSAFA Elective General Assembly and engages with football leaders from across the Southern African region, one thing is clear: Zimbabwe is no longer simply a destination one passes through. It is a destination where continental leaders choose to gather, where they feel at home, and where they publicly declare, as Dr. Motsepe did, “We are all one people.”
The Road Ahead
For the casual traveller, this news might seem like politics or sport. But for those paying attention to the rhythms of African tourism, it is a signal. Zimbabwe is investing in the infrastructure of welcome – airports, hotels, transport, and most importantly, human connection.
And when the President of African football calls your country home, the continent takes notice.
Whether you come for football, for business, for adventure, or simply to experience the warmth that moved Dr. Motsepe to such heartfelt words, Zimbabwe’s message is clear: the door is open, and the welcome is genuine.
Destination Zimbabwe: Where Sport Meets Hospitality, and Visitors Become Family.
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