2018 team Zimbabwe members are as follows;
- Coach: Cassius Gumbo based in New Zealand. We chose Cassius because of his vast experience and he took New Zealand to the championships for the first time and they came 4th out of 24 nations.
- Captain: Joseph T Dhafana, Head Sommelier at La Colombe restaurant. Again a well experienced candidate who was at the helm of the formation of team Zimbabwe last year with help of Jean Vincent Ridon. It will be Joseph's third time competing in France at this prestigious competition as he went with team SA in 2015.
- Marlvin Gwese, Head Sommelier at Cape Grace,
- Tinashe Nyamudoka, Sommelier/F&B manager at The Test Kitchen,
- Pardon Taguzu, Co- Owner of African Wines, based in The Netherlands, all of whom were part of Team Zim in 2017.
- This year, there are 2 additions to Team Zim, based on their scores at the provincial South African Wine Tasting Championships held at The Taj Hotel in June 2018.
These 2 top tasters are Admire Wakwa from Mullineux & Leeu Wines and Billet Magara from Paserene wines.
The 2017 Team Zim are the subject of a documentary, and this story will be finalised at this year's World Blind Tasting Championships.
This original Team Zim have secured sponsorship for their tickets to France, with great gratitude to Belinda D'Alba the owner of African wines.
There is of course a need for some further funding, and we encourage anyone willing to support this team of passionate and driven Zimbabwean tasters to come forward as soon as possible.
Please contact Prosper Gundura, the team treasurer if you are able to assist and take up this opportunity for exposure for your brand throughout the competition: prosper@ngf.co.za or +27.718117832.