The Sunday News
Wilson Dakwa, Business Reporter
ABOUT $50 million is expected to be generated at this year’s Big Time Harare International Carnival (HIC) which will be held next month, an official said.
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) spokesperson Mr Sugar Chagonda said preparations for this year’s carnival to be held from 1 to 10 September under the theme “One Love — our unity our Pride” are at an advanced stage. He said this year’s event was expected to be bigger and better compared to the last edition which was hosted in 2015. Last year the tourism promotion body failed to host the extravaganza due to lack of funding.
“We are anticipating that we will generate about $50 million at this year’s edition. The money will be generated from various businesses and it goes directly into the country’s economy, it doesn’t go into ZTA’s pockets. The money is generated when people buy various consumables from vendors and retail outlets during the carnival,” said Mr Chagonda.
The estimated $50 million expected to be generated at this year’s event would surpass the $21 million generated at the 2015 edition. This year’s show has been named the Big Time Harare International Carnival in recognition of its platinum sponsor Big Time Strategic Group of Companies, a South African firm owned by a Zimbabwean, Mr Justice Maphosa. The South African company will provide stage and lighting equipment for the main stage as well as pay for local and regional artistes performing at the fete.
“We are in the process of signing contracts with local, regional and international artistes who are set to perform,” said Mr Chagonda.
He said ZTA has engaged the Harare City Council to enact up-market and environmentally friendly stalls.
“Vending can’t be overlooked at the carnival because Zimbabwe has many people who depend on vending for a living. We will facilitate for vending in an orderly manner and we have partnered with the Harare City Council to help us achieve this. The environmental friendly vending stalls will be mounted along the iconic Robert Mugabe Way which is named after His Excellency President Mugabe. Next year we are hoping to also utilise First Street which is also a vital road in terms of city tourism,” said Mr Chagonda.
Harare City Council was tasked to clean up Robert Mugabe Street. In a statement last month, ZTA chief executive officer Dr Karigoka Kaseke hinted that the tourism promotion body would partner with the local authority Harare to transform the state of Robert Mugabe Way.
“We cannot continue to cast a blind eye on the state of Robert Mugabe Way. This year we are also focusing on a legacy project for the carnival. In partnership with our headline sponsor, we want to transform Robert Mugabe Road. In its current state, the street has become a shame to the country as it is filled with all sorts of dirt. Order and sanity have to be restored on this road,” said Dr Kaseke.
The street party for this year’s fiesta dubbed the three-million men carnival would be staged on 9 September. Twenty-five countries which include Cuba, Brazil, India, Jamaica, and all regional neighbours are set to participate in this year’s edition compared to the 2015 edition which had about 18 countries. HIC is an annual festival that encompasses a series of events and festivities with the main goal of advancing arts, culture, and the heritage of Zimbabwe as well as uniting the populace.
@WilsonDakwa1
