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Michelle Moyo, [email protected]

THE Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has hit back at false allegations that First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, is exploiting the national fabric, which has been fully embraced countrywide. 

Several media outlets reported that the First Lady was making a profit from the popular cultural fabric, which is sold through Zimbabwe National Fabric at a nominal fee of US$4 per metre. 

However, the ministry has emphasised that the fabric was previously sold at between US$9 and US$12 a metre before the Government intervened to lower it to US$4. 

In a statement, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, expressed gratitude towards Dr Mnangagwa, who championed the launch of the national dress fabric, saying that it promotes Zimbabwean identity.

She said her ministry works with a few selected outlets to distribute the fabric at the gazetted price.

Minister Rwodzi urged the public to take pride in national identity, culture and heritage, and not succumb to false and malicious claims against the First Lady.

“We take exception to false and malicious claims by some media outlets that the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, is cashing in on the national fabric. Such claims are not only unfortunate, but appear calculated to soil the good image of our hard-working mother of the nation who is our patron,” said Minister Rwodzi.

President Mnangagwa endorsed the national fabric, stating that it preserves traditional art and crafts, allowing one to learn about the country’s culture and history. 

Speaking at the launch of the national dress fabric in 2021, President Mnangagwa said national costumes were a living and evolving art form that could give one a glimpse into the culture of a country or group. — @Lo7246Lovelyn