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Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Reporter 

Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu has implored tourism players around the city to play a part in utilising the Heritage Corridor in order to promote domestic tourism.

The Heritage Corridor which was toured by President Mnangagwa in June, is meant to market Bulawayo’s cultural, artistic and heritage.

People are expected to visit various urban historical sites in and around the city as part of promoting domestic tourism.

The Heritage Corridor is a walking and driving route in urban and rural areas relating to cultural heritage. 

Officiating at the True Elegance restaurant’s award celebration last Sunday, Minister Ndlovu said the food eatery, which is situated between 1st and 2nd Avenue along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Street should be regarded as the Heritage Corridor food outlet because of its traditional foods.

“It is a great honour to be part of this event where we are seeing the growth of tourism players, taking note that this restaurant has only been functional for a year but now has two branches.

“The location on its own should be utilised to the fullest as the Heritage Corridor passes through this street from the Inxwala Grounds next to where the Hanging Tree is,” said Minister Ndlovu.

He said the restaurant was not far from the Inxwala site and the iconic Joshua Mqabuko statue which is at corner Joshua Mqabuko  Nkomo Street and 8th Avenue.

Minister Ndlovu said the tourism industry has shown resilience at a time when it has been greatly affected by lockdown regulations meant to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Recently we were with President Mnangagwa opening the Palm River Hotel, Zambezi Boutique and Nkosi Lodge in Victoria Falls.

The facilities were built at a time Covid-19 had greatly affected the tourism sector and it is at the same time that True Elegance was founded,” said Minister Ndlovu.

True Elegance owner Patscencia Vundla said they have set a target to open a new outlet every year.

“We now have two branches and we have set ourselves a target to open at least a new outlet every year,” she said. — @mthabisi_mthire