(STICKY) Sata, Mugabe are cut out of revolutionary fabric - Mzembi
By Edwin Mbulo in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Sat 24 Aug. 2013, 14:01 CAT

THERE are some very glaring similarities in Presidents Michael Sata and Robert Mugabe in that there are both cut out of the revolutionary fabric, says Zimbabwe's tourism minister Walter Mzembi.

And UNWTO secretary general Taleb Rifai said the 20th General Assembly was an important event not only for Zimbabwe and Zambia but the entire Africa and the world.

In an interview before Rifai's arrival at the Victoria Falls International Airport on Thursday, Mzembi said PresidSents Sata and Mugabe had provided leadership and focus in the collaboration of the two countries.

"There are some very glaring similarities between our two heads of states in that they are both born and cut out of the revolutionary fabric, Pan-Africanist in their very full rights and more importantly, leading patriotic front parties between the two countries," Mzembi said.

He said the two Presidents had enjoyed a very cordial and warm relationship.

"Very brotherly relationship, which has provided us the leadership and focus that we have been looking for as ministers in terms of the integration of the region and collaboration of sister states towards meeting the objectives of bringing prosperity to our two republics," Mzembi said.

He said Zimbabwe was at 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 in the preparations of the UNWTO general assembly which starts today.

"I had budgeted for 10 per cent of unseen circumstances, maybe spiritual issues, but those that we can see with the naked eye, we have attempted to correct and bring the train back on the rail. So by and large, I'm happy with what we have done so far," he said.

And speaking to Rifai, Mzembi said the general aassembly coincided with the celebrations of the inauguration of President Mugabe to his seventh term in power.

And Rifai said the UNWTO coincides with this important experience that the people of Zimbabwe went through.

"We are very delighted that the elections went in a very civilised and smooth way and the will of the people of Zimbabwe was very clear," he said.

He said the UNWTO General Assembly was already a success as it was the best-ever attended event.

"You can hear and feel the success from the very beginning. Once it starts well, everything is going to go well. This is one of the best attended general assembly. The rate of registration has been very high and we have never seen the number of ministers and delegations in previous assemblies," he said.