New HAZ chairperson for Matabeleland North

The Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) recently appointed seasoned hospitality manager, Chiku Mulinde, as new Chairperson of the Matabeleland North chapter for 2023.

In existence for 71 years, HAZ is the trade association representing and promoting the interests of owners and operators of hotels, restaurants, clubs and related establishments throughout Zimbabwe. The Matabeleland North chapter covers Binga, Hwange and Victoria Falls.

Mulinde, who is GM of Elephant Hills Resort, was elected to take over from Victoria Falls Safari Lodge GM, Anald Muzona, who had been at the helm since 2020.

HAZ elects a chair from a pool of its members for the particular chapter to head the organisation for a year. Muzona’s chairmanship lasted for three years due to the COVID pandemic.

Mulinde is not new to HAZ leadership. He has chaired the Beitbridge and Bulawayo chapters, where he was GM of Holiday Inn Express and also Holiday Inn Bulawayo.

 “I look forward to carrying on with the good work that was being done by my predecessors here in Victoria Falls. This is the tourism capital of Zimbabwe and the work is already cut out for me and my colleagues,” said Mulinde.

“My focus will be on leading the post-COVID recovery strategy for the destination, implementation of national tourism policies, and work on sustainable solutions to our work processes.”

RoomRaccoon appoints Global Head of Customer

Hotel management software company, RoomRaccoon, has announced the promotion of Kudzai Mapfinya as Global Head of the Customer division.

Mapfinya joins the company’s Senior Leadership Team in her new position and will oversee the Customer Support, Customer Success and Customer Training departments. 

She brings more than 12 years of expertise in customer service to RoomRaccoon.

Her career has seen her lead global teams across various B2B industries, including SaaS and Tech companies.

She joined RoomRaccoon in May last year as the Head of Client Services. In her new capacity, she will be responsible for strategically elevating the customer service delivery of RoomRaccoon and lead the team supporting more than 1 700 hoteliers around the world. 

Tymen van Dyl, CEO and Founder of RoomRaccoon, said: “We are excited to introduce this role to the company and believe that Kudzai’s extensive leadership experience in customer service industries will be invaluable to the team as we enter a new phase of growth.”

Mapfinya will serve on the Senior Leadership team alongside RoomRaccoon founders Van Dyl and Nadja Buckenberger, as well as Adam Clarke (VP of Sales and Marketing) and Rene Edeling (Head of Operations).

“I am incredibly proud to continue my journey at RoomRaccoon and provide even greater focus to the hotelier experience,” said Mapfinya. “I look forward to leading our growing customer service, success and training teams to deliver outstanding support to hoteliers around the world.”