In this exclusive interview, Great Zimbabwe Times sits down with Aretha Takaza, General Manager of Great Zimbabwe Hotel, to explore her remarkable journey in hospitality, her leadership philosophy, and her bold vision for transforming Masvingo into a premier tourism destination. With over two decades of industry experience and a growing influence in tourism leadership, Takaza shares insights on resilience, innovation, women empowerment, and the future of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector.
PERSONAL LEADERSHIP & ROLE
GZ Times: AT, take us through your journey—who is Aretha Takaza beyond the title?
AT: My name is Aretha Takaza, I am 46 years old and a mother of two. I was born and raised in Chirumanzu, in the district of Mvuma. My career spans over two decades across luxury hotels, city hotels, conference destinations, and now a resort environment. I began my journey in 2004 as a graduate trainee in Food and Beverage with Rainbow Tourism Group, building a strong foundation in service excellence at establishments such as Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel and Kadoma Hotel. Through dedication and consistent performance, I rose through leadership roles at Elephant Hills Hotel, Holiday Inn Mutare, and Holiday Inn Harare.
I hold a Master of Commerce in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Midlands State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Zimbabwe. These have enabled me to blend academic excellence with practical expertise. My transition into executive management began as Deputy General Manager at Holiday Inn Harare, and today I lead Great Zimbabwe Hotel, where I am focused on repositioning the property and elevating Masvingo’s tourism appeal.
GZ Times: What inspired you to pursue a career in hospitality and tourism?
AT: Growing up in a rural setting, I was inspired by a desire to experience the finer things in life. However, the industry showed me something more powerful—that I could actually create those experiences for others. What started as a career pursuit became a platform for growth and self-expression.
The industry demands precision, resilience, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—qualities that aligned perfectly with my strengths. Mentorship and recognition along the way accelerated my growth and refined my leadership. At its core, my journey is driven by a desire to impact lives—through exceptional guest experiences, empowered teams, and transformative leadership.
GZ Times: You wear multiple leadership hats—how do you manage them effectively?
AT: Each role carries significant responsibility, and I approach them with equal commitment. I am humbled to serve and to contribute to building lasting systems and opportunities for future generations.
I manage this through intentional planning—allocating specific days to each role while remaining responsive to urgent matters. My roles include:
• HAZ Masvingo Representative
• Chairperson, Women in Tourism (Masvingo Province)
• Vice Chairperson, Great Zimbabwe Destination Marketing Organisation
• Chairperson, ZNCC Masvingo Women in Business
It requires discipline, but above all, purpose
GZ Times: What has been your most defining leadership moment?
AT: Leading the transition of Great Zimbabwe Hotel from African Sun Limited to a privately owned operation was a defining moment. It was a complex process that demanded resilience, adaptability, and strong leadership.
We had to rebuild systems, align teams, and maintain operational excellence during uncertainty. What many saw as disruption, I saw as opportunity. Today, I am leading a multi-million-dollar expansion project—constructing 71 new rooms and a 500-seater conference centre, a concept I personally initiated.
This development is set to transform not just the hotel, but Masvingo’s tourism landscape.
WOMEN IN TOURISM
GZ Times: As Chairperson of Women in Tourism, what is your vision for women in the sector?
AT: My vision goes beyond participation—I want to see women owning, leading, and shaping the tourism value chain at every level. For too long, women have been concentrated in operational and support roles, yet they hold immense untapped potential to drive innovation, investment, and transformation within the sector.
We are deliberately working to shift women from the margins into positions of influence—encouraging formalisation of informal businesses, strengthening access to finance, and building capacity in areas such as digital marketing, product development, and global competitiveness. Tourism is a powerful economic driver, and when women are fully integrated as entrepreneurs and decision-makers, the ripple effect extends to families, communities, and entire local economies.
We are creating platforms for mentorship, market access, and policy advocacy—ensuring that women are not only seen, but heard and supported. We are also fostering strategic partnerships that open doors to regional and international markets, because visibility is key to growth.
Ultimately, this is about legacy. When a woman moves from survival to structured enterprise, she creates employment, inspires others, and contributes meaningfully to national development. My goal is to see a generation of women who are not just participants in tourism—but architects of its future.
HAZ & INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
GZ Times: What are your top priorities as HAZ representative for Masvingo Province?
AT: Our priorities are centered on advocacy, capacity building, and marketing. We engage government to create a stable operating environment, support training and standards to improve service delivery, and promote collaboration to drive tourism demand and visibility.
GZ Times: How is HAZ supporting recovery and growth in the sector?
AT: Through policy engagement, skills development, and strategic partnerships. Recovery requires a coordinated effort, and HAZ plays a key role in bringing stakeholders together.
GZ Times: What challenges are currently affecting the sector?
AT: Key challenges include limited air access, inadequate infrastructure, low digital adoption, and high operational costs such as energy. These factors impact competitiveness and growth.
GZ Times: How is collaboration evolving between government and the private sector?
AT: We are seeing stronger collaboration through policy consultations and joint initiatives. A whole-of-government approach is helping align efforts across ministries and industry players, which is critical for sustainable growth.
GREAT ZIMBABWE HOTEL AS A DESTINATION
GZ Times: How would you position Great Zimbabwe Hotel beyond accommodation?
AT: We are a hub for heritage-driven tourism and cultural immersion, given our proximity to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument.
We also serve as a premier MICE destination, offering curated experiences—from rhino tracking in Kyle Game Park to sunset cruises on Lake Mutirikwi—ensuring guests stay longer and engage deeply with the destination.
GZ Times: What makes the guest experience unique?
AT: It’s the blend of heritage, authenticity, and modern hospitality. Guests enjoy direct access to the monument, cultural storytelling, locally inspired cuisine, and immersive tourism packages that create lasting memories.
GZ Times: How do you integrate heritage into the hotel experience?
AT: Through architecture, décor, cuisine, storytelling, and landscaping—all inspired by Zimbabwe’s cultural identity. The hotel acts as a gateway to the heritage of the Great Zimbabwe civilization.
GZ Times: What developments have been undertaken at the hotel?
AT: Post-COVID, we have developed a campsite, refurbished rooms, upgraded conference facilities, and are currently constructing 71 rooms and a 500-seater conference centre.
GZ Times: What role does the hotel play in promoting Masvingo tourism?
AT: We actively support destination marketing, host familiarisation tours, and participate in global platforms such as ITB Berlin, WTM, and Indaba, positioning Masvingo on the international stage.
TOURISM GROWTH & INVESTMENT
GZ Times: How do you see Masvingo evolving as a tourism destination?
AT: Masvingo is poised to become a premium heritage destination. By expanding infrastructure and integrating tourism experiences, we can transform it from a stopover into a multi-day destination.
GZ Times: What role does GZ Hotel play in MICE tourism?
AT: We provide quality infrastructure and are expanding capacity to host large-scale events, positioning Masvingo as a competitive business tourism destination.
GZ Times: What investment opportunities exist in the province?
AT: Opportunities include hotel development, conference facilities, resort tourism, eco-tourism, and Special Economic Zones around key attractions.
VISION & LEGACY
GZ Times: What is your vision for Great Zimbabwe Hotel?
AT: To transform it into a premier heritage destination aligned with national tourism goals, offering immersive, multi-day experiences while uplifting the local economy
GZ Times: What would you like to see improved in the tourism sector?
AT: Stronger collaboration among stakeholders. Growth comes from unity—when we integrate services, resources, and vision, we create a more competitive destination.
GZ Times: What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
AT: I want my legacy to prove that a woman can lead with audacity, build with courage, and transform an entire destination through vision and discipline.
True leadership is not a birthright—it is forged through bold decisions, dedication, and commitment to people and place. Beyond infrastructure, my goal is to open doors for others and demonstrate that impact outlives position.
FINAL WORD
GZ Times: Your message to stakeholders and the next generation?
AT: Our success depends on collaboration. Let us formalize, mentor, and build together. To the young generation—aim beyond employment; become industry leaders. Together, we can build the Masvingo—and Zimbabwe—we want
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