About Us
African Sun is Zimbabwe’s leading hotel asset management company with a portfolio of hotels that is unparalleled in variety, location and size.
Our fine mix of select hotels including internationally recognized brands some of which have achieved world status amongst the “Top 100 Hotels in the World” makes leisure, business, conferencing and incentives our specialty. The Group has hotels in every major tourist resort and in four out of the five major cities in the country, bringing that long-awaited tour of Zimbabwe on your doorstep. Whether you are travelling as part of a group, with someone special, or as a single traveller, unforgettable experiences await you under the African Sun.
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Our fine mix of select hotels including internationally recognized brands some of which have achieved world status amongst the “Top 100 Hotels in the World” makes leisure, business, conferencing and incentives our specialty. The Group has hotels in every major tourist resort and in four out of the five major cities in the country, bringing that long-awaited tour of Zimbabwe on your doorstep. Whether you are travelling as part of a group, with someone special, or as a single traveller, unforgettable experiences await you under the African Sun.
Our Corporate Profile
African Sun Limited, also referred to as the Company, African Sun or the Group, is a prominent Hotel Asset Management Company based in Zimbabwe. We take pride in offering a competitive and preferred product in the market, positioning ourselves as a leading provider in hospitality and leisure operations across Zimbabwe.
OPERATIONS
At present, the Group manages seven hotels strategically located throughout Zimbabwe. Additionally, we have a Real Estate arm that complements our core business. Of the seven, the Company owns four properties (Holiday Inn Mutare, Troutbeck Resort, Elephant Hills Resort and Hwange Safari Lodge). It leases three properties, the Holiday Inn Harare, Holiday Inn Bulawayo and The Victoria Falls Hotel.
Effective 1 March 2026, Caribbea Bay Resort was disposed.
Hotels and Resorts
Our portfolio comprises three hotels located in major cities of Zimbabwe, which are affiliated with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG): Holiday Inn Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare.
Furthermore, we operate four hotels in tourist destinations, including two prominent properties in the tourism hub of Victoria Falls: Elephant Hills Resort and Conference Centre, and The Victoria Falls Hotel, which is jointly managed with Meikles Hospitality (Private) Limited. Our home-grown brands consist of Troutbeck Resort, nestled in the scenic Eastern Highlands Mountains of Nyanga and the Hwange Safari Lodge, adjacent to the renowned Hwange National Park, home to a diverse range of wildlife and bird species.
OPERATIONS
At present, the Group manages nine hotels strategically located throughout Zimbabwe. Additionally, we have a Real Estate arm that complements our core business. Of the nine, the Company owns six properties (Holiday Inn Mutare, Monomotapa Hotel, Troutbeck Resort, Elephant Hills Resort, Hwange Safari Lodge and Caribbea Bay Resort). It leases three properties (Holiday Inn Harare, Holiday Inn Bulawayo and The Victoria Falls Hotel).
Effective 1 April 2025, the Great Zimbabwe Hotel was disposed.
HOTELS AND RESORTS
Our portfolio comprises four hotels located in major cities of Zimbabwe, three of which are affiliated with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG): Holiday Inn Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare. The fourth is the iconic Monomotapa Hotel in the capital city of Harare.
Furthermore, we operate five hotels in tourist destinations, including two prominent properties in the tourism hub of Victoria Falls: Elephant Hills Resort and Conference Centre, and The Victoria Falls Hotel, which is jointly managed with Meikles Hospitality (Private) Limited. Our home-grown brands consist of Troutbeck Resort, nestled in the scenic Eastern HighlandsMountains of Nyanga, and Caribbea Bay Resort, situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Kariba. Additionally, we proudly own and manage Hwange Safari Lodge, adjacent to the renowned Hwange National Park, home to a diverse range of wildlife and bird species.
Real Estate
Our Real Estate division focuses on the maintenance, renovation, and construction activities pertaining to our hotel infrastructure. This division also manages the Group’s land banks, ensuring future growth and expansion opportunities, as well as the development of residential stands for sale.
The Group has strategically streamlined its operations to ensure future sustainability. Our commitment to growing shareholder value is underpinned by four pillars: Processes, People, Promotion, and Product
By prioritising excellence in these areas, African Sun remains dedicated to delivering exceptional service, fostering growth, and maximising value for our stakeholders.
REAL ESTATE
Our Real Estate division focuses on the maintenance, renovation, and construction activities pertaining to our hotel infrastructure. This division also manages the Group’s land banks, ensuring future growth and expansion opportunities, as well as the development of residential stands for sale.
The Group has strategically streamlined its operations to ensure future sustainability. Our commitment to growing shareholder value is underpinned by four pillars. Processes, People, Promotion, and Product.
By prioritizing excellence in these areas, African Sun remains dedicated to delivering exceptional service, fostering growth, and maximizing value for our stakeholders.
Our Business overview
Our Vision
To be the leading provider in hospitality and leisure operations in Africa.
Our Mission
We provide outstanding hospitality experiences that our guests love.
- To our Guests: Exceeding their expectations through the provision of a delightful service, as they are our reason for existence.
- To our Employees: Creating opportunities for personal growth and balanced lifestyles for all our staff to enable them to positively influence lives around them and delight our guests.
- To our Community and Environment: To be a model corporate citizen in the society in which we operate from where we derive our identity and being.
- To our Business Partners: Establishing ethical and honest relationships with our business partners and suppliers who enable us to meet and exceed our guest expectations.
- To our Shareholders: Deliver real value growth to our shareholders in excess of 20% return on equity per annum.
Our Values
Our five-point “ExCite” value system forms the basis of our belief system within the organization.
We will do so through:
- Excellence – We deliver experiences beyond expectation.
- Care – We are each other’s keeper and are mindful of the well being of all.
- Innovation – We explore ideas and encourage different mindsets that facilitate continuous improvement.
- Teamwork – We believe together we achieve more.
- Enjoyment – We are passionate and take delight in everything we do.
Our Brands
Our premier brand, The Victoria Falls Hotel, offers world-class hospitality with signature touches that define luxury travel. It’s the perfect destination for travelers seeking high-end luxury accommodation for the perfect African getaway.
The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is one of the world’s leading hotel companies and franchises the Holiday Inn brand in Zimbabwe. Consistent with global benchmarks, the Holiday Inn hotels cater for the needs of global travellers with an international touch for both business and leisure. IHG’s goal is to create great hotels that guests love, and in Zimbabwe, both foreign and local African Sun Limited guests get to enjoy that experience.
Our homegrown brands, the African Sun stand-alone brands, are targeted at middle-range business and leisure travellers seeking warm and comfortable hotels.
The Group currently has the following divisions: City and Country Hotels, Resort Hotels and The Victoria Falls Hotel Partnership with Meikles Hospitality (Private) Limited. The company’s hotels are located in all major cities and prime tourist destinations, as well as in four out of the five major cities in the country.
The group’s portfolio includes The Victoria Falls Hotel, Elephant Hills Resort and Conference Centre, Hwange Safari Lodge, three Holiday Inns (Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare) and Troutbeck Resort.
Board of Directors
LLOYD MHISHI
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Lloyd was appointed to the African Sun Board on 1 May 2021 and subsequently Lead Independent Director on 30 June 2023 and Chairman on 8 July 2024. Lloyd is a practicing Legal Practitioner, academic, and author with over thirty years of legal practice experience as an associate and partner in well-known law firms in Zimbabwe and as the Founding and Senior Partner of Mhishi Nkomo Legal Practice. He has served as a non-executive Director of several organisations including: – the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, FBC Building Society, and Ecobank Zimbabwe . He is also a past President of the Law Society […]
LAURIE WARD
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Laurie joined the Company in April 2023 and was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in December 2023, before assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer in July 2024. Laurie has over 25 years of executive management experience both internationally and throughout Africa, primarily in hospitality and project management, including exposure to best-in-class hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and Singita. Laurie is a Chartered Accountant (Zimbabwe), having served his articles with the Ernst & Young Mutare office. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Rhodes University in South Africa.
LEWIS CHIKARA
CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER
Lewis was appointed to the position of Chief Finance Officer on 1 October 2023. Lewis has over 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry at a senior management level in Finance. He has had experience with 3 unique 5-star hotels in Zimbabwe and South Africa which were all affiliated to the Leading Hotels of The World. Before this appointment, he was the Finance Director of Meikles Hospitality (Private) and also doubled up as the Group Financial Controller of the Meikles Group. Lewis also has vast experience with the retail sector, security services sector, and properties sector. Lewis is a […]
BRETT CHILDS
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Brett was appointed to the African Sun Board on the 16th of March 2017. A Chartered Accountant originally from Zimbabwe, Brett is a business veteran with 25 years of experience in capital raising, initial public offering (IPOs), managing investments, and corporate exits. Brett spent 15 years in London, where he helped to build a successful venture business, and listed assets on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), and Mauritius Stock Exchange (SEM). He is a former CEO of the major shareholder, Arden Capital .
VERNON LAPHAM
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mr. Lapham was appointed to the African Sun Board on 8 November 2021. He is a registered Public Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe, he received the W. A. Duff Award for the highest marks in Zimbabwe in the final qualifying exams of ICAZ. Mr. Lapham also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Accounting (DAA). Vernon has vast audit and business experience, having previously been the Audit Partner at Ernst and Young and CEO at MedTech Holdings . He focuses on medium-sized privately owned businesses and currently operates Ultiam Advisory and Progility Consult
GEORGINA CHIKOMO
INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gina was appointed to the African Sun Board on the 30th of August 2018. She is an Accountant by training with a wealth of experience in prudent financial management. Gina has previously worked as the Finance Director and later the Managing Director of ZB Bank . She has a Master’s degree in Business Leadership, from the University of South Africa, a Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Business Studies from the University of Zimbabwe, and is an ACCA fellow member.
SIMON VILLAGE
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Simon was appointed to the Board of African Sun on 22 March 2024. With a career spanning over 35 years, Simon has served as the Managing Director of HSBC and head of their African research and Securities business, before joining the gold industry, where he was appointed as Managing Director of the World Gold Council (WGC) Investment Services and was instrumental in the creation and development of the worlds first gold ETF, which changed the dynamics of the global gold market. Simon founded Argentum in 2016. With a focus predominantly on Eastern and Southern Africa, Argentum assists developing non-sector-specific corporates, […]
Our Management
LAURIE WARD
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Laurie joined the Company in April 2023 and was appointed as Chief Operating Officer in December 2023, before assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer in July 2024. Laurie has over 25 years of executive management experience both internationally and throughout Africa, primarily in hospitality and project management, including exposure to best-in-class hotel brands such as Four Seasons, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and Singita. Laurie is a Chartered Accountant (Zimbabwe), having served his articles with the Ernst & Young Mutare office. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Rhodes University in South Africa.
LEWIS CHIKARA
CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER
Lewis was appointed to the position of Chief Finance Officer on 1 October 2023. Lewis has over 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry at a senior management level in Finance. He has had experience with 3 unique 5-star hotels in Zimbabwe and South Africa which were all affiliated to the Leading Hotels of The World. Before this appointment, he was the Finance Director of Meikles Hospitality (Private) and also doubled up as the Group Financial Controller of the Meikles Group. Lewis also has vast experience with the retail sector, security services sector, and properties sector. Lewis is a […]
Venon Musimbe
Company Secretary and Governance Executive
Nikki Cornish
Hospitality Executive
Markus de Klerk
Legal Executive
Raymond Mudehwe
Real Estate Executive
Memory Macheka
Human Resources Executive
Corporate Information
Chairman
Mr. L. Mhishi
Non-executive Directors
G. Chikomo
B. Childs
V.W. Lapham
T.M. Ngwenya
S. Village
A.E. Siyavora
Executive Directors
L. Ward – Chief Executive Officer
L. Chikara – Chief Finance Officer
Risk and Audit Committee
A. Chikomo (Chair)
B. Childs
A. Siyavora
V. Lapham
Investments Committee
B. Childs (Chair)
G. Chikomo
V. Lapham
S. Village
Nominations Committee
L. Mhishi
A. Siyavora
G. Chikomo
Human Resources and Remuneration Committee
A. Siyavora (Chair)
L. Mhishi
T. Denga
S. Village
Marketing and Sales Committee (Incorporating the CSR Committee)
T. Denga (Chair)
B. Childs
S. Village
A. Siyavora
Information Technology Governance Committee
V. Lapham (Chair)
T. Denga
A. Siyavora
Company Secretary
V.T. Musimbe
Operations Heads
Nikki Cornish – Hospitality Executive
Derrick Kung – Operations Executive
Property General Managers
Owned Hotels
Tafadzwa Madovi – Elephant Hills Resort and Conference Centre
Charlton Chimbira – Holiday Inn Mutare
TBA – Hwange Safari Lodge
TBA – Troutbeck Resort
Leased Hotels
Roderick Meiring – The Victoria Falls Hotel
Chiku Mulinde – Holiday Inn Harare
Nkosi Moyo – Holiday Inn Bulawayo
Grant Thornton
Camelsa Business Park
135 Enterprise Road, Highlands
PO Box CY 2619
Causeway
Harare, Zimbabwe
FBC Bank Limited
5th Floor, FBC Centre
Nelson Mandela Avenue
Harare
Zimbabwe.
Nedbank Zimbabwe Limited
16th Floor, Old Mutual Centre
Third Street
Harare
Harare
Zimbabwe.
Dube, Manikai and Hwacha Commercial Law Chambers
6th Floor, Gold Bridge
Eastgate Complex
Robert Mugabe Road
Harare
Zimbabwe.
Nedbank Zimbabwe Limited
16th Floor, Old Mutual Centre
Third Street
Harare
Harare
Zimbabwe.
African Sun Limited
c/o Monomotapa Harare
54 Parklane
Harare
Zimbabwe.
African Sun Limited
Bally House,
Mount Pleasant Business Park,
870 Endeavour Crescent, Off Norfolk Road
P.O. Box CY 1211, Causeway
Harare