Barbara Rwodzi
| Barbara Rwodzi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Residence | Zimbabwe |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Citizenship | Zimbabwean |
| Education | Masters in Business Administration |
| Alma mater | Nottingham Trent University, England |
| Occupation | Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry |
| Employer | Government of Zimbabwe |
| Organization | House of BarRue Knitwear, Zanu-PF |
| Title | Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry |
| Term | 2 December 2021- |
Barbara Rwodzi is a Zimbabwean entrepreneur and politician. She was appointed Minister of Tourism in September 2023. From December 2021 to August 2023, she served as Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
As an entrepreneur, Rwodzi was the CEO of House of BarRue Knitwear - a successful business that exports handmade garments. She was part of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) where she had the opportunity to meet other businesswomen from Africa. During the exchange visit, she met American entrepreneurs, including designers like Diane von Furstenberg, as well as American business owners.[1]
Personal Details
Born: Chirumanzu. Her father was a war veteran who later became a member of the Zimbabwe National Army.[2]
Marriage: Barbara was married to Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi. Her father-in-law is Aaron Simbanegavi Rwodzi who is a member of Zanu-PF. [2]
School / Education
Tertiary: Masters degree, Business Administration, Nottingham Trent University. [2]
Service/Career
Businesses
Rwodzi has a number of retail shops at Fairfields in Chirumanzu. [2] She founded Machine Electrical Distributors.[3]
Politics
In the 2018 Elections, Rwodzi contested as a Zanu PF parliamentary candidate for Chirumanzu Constituency. She contested against her cousin, Simbarashe Mukashi of MDC Alliance among other candidates. Rwodzi was the only aspiring woman National Assembly member in the Midlands Province to have made it in Zanu PF’s primary elections that were held in April 2018.
Rwodzi beat the then-incumbent National Assembly member for the constituency, Pedzisai Munanzwi in the Zanu PF primary elections. She got 5 621 votes against Munanzwi’s 1 021.[2]
On 2 December 2021, Barbara Rwodzi was appointed as deputy minister of tourism by Emmerson Mnangagwa to shadow Mangaliso Ndlovu.
She retained the Chirumanzu Parliament seat in the 23-24 August 2023 elections after beating the Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate Patrick Cheza.
Following the 23-24 August 2023 elections, when President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced his new cabinet on 11 September 2023, Barbara Rwodzi became the Minister of Tourism And Hospitality Industry, with deputy Tongai Mnangagwa.
Events
Pan African Parliament
Rwodzi represented Zimbabwe in the Pan African Parliament. [3] In June 2021, Rwodzi joined her Southern African counterparts in calling for rotational leadership based on the African Union rules while the Eastern and Western Caucuses want to keep the direct voting system.
Barbara Rwodzi said the ballot could not continue until there was clarity. As a result of the dispute regarding the voting system, parliament was suspended.
Zimbabwe’s Fortune Charumbira, Mali’s Haidara Cisse and Albino Aboug from South Sudan are the three candidates vying for the Presidency position. [4]
Rwodzi is a member of the ad-hoc committee charged with organising and managing the election.[5]
Controversy
In July 2023, Rwodzi was caught on tape threatening a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) station commander and labelling him a “dog” and a “stupid idiot.”[6]
In a three and half minute's audio, Rwodzi was heard calling Assistant Inspector Matsa, based at Charandura Police Station, a “stupid idiot”.
She insulted the police officer for preparing a docket against the ZANU PF supporter, only known as Danger who is believed to be part of her campaign team.
The ZANU PF activist (Danger) had been arrested for allegedly defacing political campaign posters of the Citizens Coalition for Change.
References
- ↑ U.S. Embassy Harare, retrieved: 28 Aug 2018
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 A tale of two aspiring cousin MPs for Chirumanzu, Sunday News, Published: July 7, 2018, Retrieved: June 1, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Andile Sicetsha, ZIM’S BARBARA RWODZI STANDS OUT IN PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT CHAOS [VIDEO], Swisher Post, Published: May 31, 2021, Retrieved: June 1, 2021
- ↑ Noma Bolani, Pan African Parliament suspended yet again following more chaos, SABC News, Published: June 1, 2021, Retrieved: June 2, 2021
- ↑ Leopold Munhende, UPDATED: Defiant SADC MPs Continue Blocking “Unfair” Pan-African Election, NewZimbabwe.com, Published: June 1, 2021, Retrieved: June 2, 2021
- ↑ Charity Ruzvidzo, Minister meddles in police probe, labels cop a ‘dog’ and ‘stupid idiot’, ZimLive, Published: 18 July 2023. Retrieved: 22 July 2023
