TOURISM and Hospitality students have been urged to be guided by excellence, integrity, and commitment when executing their finesse and duties in Zimbabwe and beyond.
This was the dominant message delivered during the third graduation ceremony of the Manica Skyview School of Hospitality held last Saturday, where 66 students graduated in various HEXCO-accredited programmes.
Officiating at the ceremony, Africa University’s Dean of Students, Dr Farai Chinangure, challenged the graduates to use their skills to positively shape communities locally and across borders.
The graduates successfully completed programmes including the Professional Certificate of Competency, National Foundation Certificate, National Certificate in Professional Cookery, Tourism and Hospitality and Travel and Leisure Management, as well as the National Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality and Culinary Arts.
Held under the theme: “Empowering Young Talent to Drive Tourism Innovation Through Excellence in Hospitality Training,” the ceremony celebrated the transformative journey the students had undergone.
Dr Chinangure commended the graduates for their resilience: “Your journey to this point has not been an easy one. You overcame challenges, balanced responsibilities, and remained focused on your goals. But none of you travelled this path alone. Your families, guardians, sponsors, lecturers, and administrative staff all played crucial roles in your success.”
He paid tribute to HEXCO for upholding rigorous accreditation standards that ensure that local hospitality qualifications remain competitive regionally and internationally.
He also praised Manica Skyview School of Hospitality’s board and directors for steering a private institution that continues to thrive without Government subsidy.
“Manica Skyview has become a strong pillar of excellence in this province. Its graduates continue to uphold high standards locally and beyond our borders. As the school continues to grow, I encourage deeper partnerships, enhanced facilities, and expanded academic influence,” he said.
Turning to the graduates, Dr Chinangure urged them to uphold professionalism wherever their careers take them—whether in hotel management, culinary arts, tour guiding, event planning, entrepreneurship, or tourism innovation.
“Carry this institution’s name with honour. Make your families proud. Contribute meaningfully to your communities. And above all, believe in the value you bring to Zimbabwe’s tourism future,” added Dr Chinangure.
Established in 2022, the Manica Skyview School of Hospitality and Tourism (MSSHT)—a subsidiary of Manica Skyview (Pvt) Ltd—operates from Manica Skyview Hotel in Mutare.
Guided by Heritage-Based Education 5.0, the school is committed to producing hospitality professionals equipped for Zimbabwe’s evolving tourism landscape.
The Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe Manicaland, led by Mr Kurai Mugwagwa, commended Manica Skyview School of Hospitality and Tourism for their commitment to provide world-class training facilities, including erecting a state-of-the-art student kitchen and digitalised computer laboratory, sets a benchmark for other institutions to follow.
“This graduation ceremony is particularly significant because it reflects the vision and mission of our National Development Strategy (NDS1), which champions tourism and hospitality as key pillars of economic growth and job creation.
“NDS1 recognises that for Zimbabwe to achieve sustainable development, we must invest in our people, particularly our youths, and equip them with the skills necessary to compete on the global stage. Manica Skyview School of Hospitality and Tourism has embraced this vision wholeheartedly. By offering HEXCO-accredited programmes that are industry-focused and aligned with the Heritage-based Education 5.0 philosophy, this institution is not merely training students-it is nurturing future leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators who will drive the tourism and hospitality sector forward,” he said.-herald
Young talent challenged to drive tourism innovation
