Tomuonga CHUMA is the Managing Director of Mapopoma Tours & Cruises, one of the leading tour operators based in Victoria Falls.
Tom has had extensive experience working in various industries, and has spent the last twenty years in the tourism industry. After graduating from the University of Zimbabwe in 1987 with a Bachelor of Accountancy (Honors) he worked as an Accountant in the aviation, manufacturing and tourism sectors. In 2003 he obtained a Masters in Administration from the National University of Science and Technology.He has served as President of The Zimbabwe Council for Tourism, the apex Tourism Industry Association, and by virtue of that position served on the Regional Tourism Board of Southern Africa (RETOSA). In 2006 he was recognized by the industry for his contribution to the development of tourism in the country. He sits on the boards of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, where he chairs the Marketing & Communications Committee and Environment Africa, one of the leading environment lobby group in Southern Africa. He has represented tourism business interests in various fora, notably the Victoria Falls Combination Master Plan, that has seen him being part of business delegations to Canada, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Reunion. Tom is a Rotarian and has served in various positions in his home club, including serving as President and in the District, as Assistant District Governor. Now Managing Director and majority shareholder of one of the leading Tour Operators in Victoria Falls, Tom has has a wealth of experience managing and growing several businesses in the area, among them Zambezi Wilderness Safaris, Baobab Safaris and Monde Cultural Tours. The latter two were incorporated into Mapopoma Tours and Cruises, the current company he leads.
Tom was the group finance manager for Spencer Creek, a company that operates an upmarket hotel, safari operations, crocodile farm and several retail outlets. In the last two years with the company, he also managed the safari operations. Tom has also held the position of accountant at Field Management Services, Harare.
His interests and work experience in the past few years have expanded from finance and accounting to business management, environment and development. He is particularly interested in building capacity for local communities to deal with environmental and developmental issues in transfrontier zones.
He has mentored several young people who have gone on to be successes as entrepreneurs. Tom will be sharing his incisive business skills and strategic thinking in developing and managing successful enterprises that are socially and environmentally responsible. He will bring his passion for poverty alleviation through economic development and empowerment of local communities, a key 21st century challenge.
