The Sunday News
Roberta Katunga Senior Business Reporter
PREPARATIONS for the third edition of the Harare International Carnival to be held from 18 September to 10 October are at an advanced stage with 17 countries having confirmed their participation. The organisers of the event, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, however, revealed that they were facing financial challenges as the carnival requires substantial amounts of money to take place.
In an interview, ZTA chief operating officer Mr Givemore Chidzidzi said they were beginning to feel constrained as compared to the two previous editions.
“Due to the prevailing economic conditions most of our partners and sponsors are not able to come on board to our expectations, hence we are beginning to feel constrained as compared to the two previous editions. Because of the tight fiscal space, the funding provided by Government in support of this national event has also been limited,” said Mr Chidzidzi.
This year’s edition will run under the theme: ‘‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” with the pay-off line ‘‘Celebrating our cultural diversity’’. Mr Chidzidzi said the theme was a celebration of where we have come from, where we are and where we are going as a country.
