The duty of considering mimicking or rather duplicating what her South African counterpart, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, has done in boosting South Africa’s tourism image has been given to Barbara Rwodzi, the minister of tourism for Zimbabwe.
This comes after the publication of a commercial film featuring comedian and former US TV programme presenter Trevor Noah from South Africa.
Noah was paid R33 million to create a masterpiece that has garnered positive feedback from his own country.
On the other hand, Enzo Ishal, a Zimdancehall singer, was brought in by Minister Barbara Rwodzi. He merely created a jingle by repurposing one of his songs over a few pictures of popular tourism spots in Zimbabwe.
Most Zimbabweans have deemed the advert as poorly done and have challenged the minister to engage some creatives in the country who may come up with a better version.
Posting on X, the minister shared the ‘poorly’ done promo;
#Uripi? #Ungapi? The start of the festive season, Every Journey Leads You Home! 🇿🇼 @MOTHI_ZIMBABWE @ZtaUpdates pic.twitter.com/KkSmYyWKa5
— Barbara Rwodzi (@BarbaraRwodzi) November 10, 2023
Many Zimbabweans, notably journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who called the advertisement “nonsense,” took issue with this.
This is nonsense Minister, get people who are trained to do these things to help you. Zimbabwe has more than enough qualified people to help you come up with decent material. Don’t associate your office and the nation with this kind of mediocrity!
Pro-government activist Kudzai Mutisi also surprisingly concurred while applauding Trevor Noah’s South African promo, stating that the minister should engage many creative people in Zimbabwe capable of creating better promotions.
This is a powerful Tourism Ad by @Trevornoah … Tourism thrives on marketing… & in the 21st century, it’s DIGITAL MARKETING that makes the difference… Short & to the point… Maybe Minister @BarbaraRwodzi
should consider a competition for 3 minute video ads… u will be shocked at how creative Zimbos are… The competition on its own is powerful marketing… people can vote for the best ad via social media…
All you need is massive marketing and everything else will fall into place.
Another Zimbabwean journalist, Adam Theo who has worked with The Times, and NY Post, gave his approval of Minister Rwodzi’s efforts.
Love what the tourism board is doing at the moment. Some great campaigns for #visitzimbabwe going on!
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