Voice of ex JOCV Shingo Tada: Reminiscing on His Experiences in Zimbabwe  

[Shingo Tada was tourism volunteer at Mutare Polytechnic from Jul 2023 to Jul 2025]

1. What is the most interesting experience you had while in Zimbabwe?

Although it may seem inconvenient at first glance, there was actually a functional social relationship in place. At the assigned location, both teachers and students were engaged in some form of retail business. Even without going to the market or supermarket, if you followed your connections, you could usually find someone willing to provide the product you needed in a short period of time. This is because everyone was engaged in some form of side business. From vegetables to eggs, sweets, and textbooks, they would deliver them to you. Even if e-commerce sites didn't function, the manual transaction system worked, so even in places that seemed inconvenient at first glance, as long as there were human relationships, it was a society where one could live comfortably.

2. What are some of the greatest achievements you attained at your work place in Zimbabwe?

The foundation for creating a tourism education system that leads to the creation of new value based on regional traditions was established, and it was accepted by the assigned locations and related actors. The commitment of the actors to continue these activities in the future was confirmed. More concrete results will require monitoring the future trends of the assigned locations.

3. What is the biggest challenge that you faced during your work activities and how did you handle it?

During the activities, it was sometimes difficult to identify clear decision-making processes and responsibilities. In countries where relationships are prioritised, decision-making can take time. The process of reaching consensus may seem inefficient at first glance, but it was based on stable relationships and mutual respect, and it was important to understand that it was not simply a delay but rather a realization that ‘different rules are being applied.’ In the early stages of the activity, it was essential to identify the people and systems involved in decision-making and allocate time to building relationships to ensure smooth operations.  Given that consensus-building takes time, it was necessary to design the activity schedule with sufficient flexibility.

4. Which is the most interesting place that you visited in Zimbabwe? And Why?

That's Eastern Highlands. Nyanga, in particular, is a wonderful place where you can enjoy guesthouses that offer private spaces surrounded by nature, trout fishing, fresh vegetables and fruits, and fishing under a starry sky. Not only can you change how you enjoy yourself depending on your budget, but you can also discover hidden gems every time you visit. I feel that it's rare to find a place anywhere in the world where you can enjoy your own private space surrounded by nature, like the luxury resorts you see in Europe, at such an affordable price.

5. What are some of your favourite Zimbabwean food and beverages?

Mazhanje (a sweet and sour fruit shaped like a plum, combining the textures of sweet potato and persimmon, which is in season during the rainy season)

6. Anything else you would want to highlight about your stay / experience in Zimbabwe?

The climate, natural environment, and people make for a wonderful and pleasant living environment. However, as with other developing countries, there are many situations where social opportunities are limited.

In terms of how work was conducted, and relationships are built, within the scope of my involvement, I felt that there was a tendency to prioritise ‘saving face’ in relationships with others, and it was rare to hear negative responses directly from others, especially individuals. When expecting positive responses or actions, I felt that it was necessary to understand the other person's position and communicate in a manner that took the situation into consideration. This is also true in Japan, but I feel that this point was particularly important for smooth operations in Zimbabwe. 

Below are photos of my experiences in Zimbabwe, with my colleagues, students, and some of the people I encountered.