Minister Rwodzi launches inaugural ZimBho Purple Bloom and Pink Ribbons

HARARE — Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has officially launched the inaugural ZimBho Purple Bloom and Pink Ribbons at Borrowdale Racecourse in Harare. The event is aimed at promoting domestic tourism and diversifying Zimbabwe's tourism offering. The Minister commended Turf Culture Africa, in partnership with the Mashonaland Turf Club and Magitare Trust, for collaborating with the Ministry to revive horse racing as a lifestyle tourism product. The initiative seeks to create a signature experience that blends sport, fashion, culture, gastronomy, entertainment, and hospitality. Jacaranda season Coinciding with the blooming of the Jacaranda trees, the event harnesses Harare's seasonal beauty to promote domestic travel and position the capital as an attractive destination during the Jacaranda season and beyond. It also precedes the 2026 Domestic Tourism Festive Season Campaign and supports Government's vision to grow tourism into a US$10 billion economy by 2030, anchored on domestic tourism and heritage-based products. Races and entertainment The inaugural edition featured six horse races, headlined by the ZimBho Purple Bloom Cup and the CancerServe Pink Ribbon Cup, integrating breast cancer awareness into the tourism experience in the spirit of Pink October. Performances by Jah Prayzah, Victor Kunonga, Feli Nandi, and Shami Tuku complemented the races. The event demonstrated the potential of combining sporting heritage, culinary experiences, and entertainment into a distinctive seasonal attraction that supports hospitality businesses and creates employment opportunities. ---