by Patience Rashai

The Tourism sector has launched the Zimbabwe Peace Festival in Harare, as part of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)’s initiatives to market and promote religious tourism in the country.

Addressing crowds gathered for a street march at Simon Vengai Muzenda Street (4th St), in the capital, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Priscah Mupfumira said that the march marked the inaugural event and more to come.

“This marks the inaugural Zimbabwe Peace Festival that not only celebrates but also promotes peace among Zimbabweans. Peace is the unique selling point of Zimbabwe. We have almost everything that a tourist is looking for in a destination,” she said.

“Zimbabweans have maintained love for peace and tranquillity and the outside world is witnessing this, as well as today’s occasion,” she said.

Quoting from Psalms 98 Verse 4, the Tourism Minister called on the nation to march in peace, praise and worship the lord, and called on the attendees to proclaim,

“Peace begins with me, Peace begins with you and Peace begins with all of us,” borrowing from the late Vice President John Landa Nkomo.

ZTA added that the festival was a non-denominational and apolitical event aimed at bringing together Christians from across Zimbabwe in their diversity to pray for political tolerance and advocate for peace before, during and after elections.

The ZTA organised gospel concert dubbed the Zimbabwe Peace Festival is running under theme Shout to the Lord.