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Leonard Ncube, [email protected]

A TRADITIONAL ceremony was held last Friday night at Jafuta Estate on the outskirts of Victoria Falls where Government officials met traditional leaders to mark the start of the implementation of the Masuwe City project.

President Mnangagwa is now expected to preside over a ground-breaking ceremony next month to mark the start of the project when Zimbabwe Cricket is expected to construct an international cricket stadium.

The traditional ceremony, which was held at night, culminated in a handover event on Saturday by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Tongai Mnangagwa who was representing Minister Barbara Rwodzi.

Minister Rwodzi said the project is a significant milestone towards a US$5 billion Tourism and Hospitality Industry by 2025 and a step towards the achievement of Vision 2030.

Some traditional food and homemade beer were used as traditional leaders led in rituals and rites at the site to appease the ancestors to welcome the project.

This comes as the Government is working hard to implement the much-awaited Masuwe Special Economic Zone project in Victoria.

Government set up Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company (Pvt) Ltd, a State enterprise as an investment vehicle for the development of tourism in Victoria Falls.

Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company owns 274,1 hectares of prime land in Jafuta Masuwe Estate which is part of the Integrated Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone. The area will be home to the cricket stadium.

Cabinet approved the implementation of the Masuwe Special Economic Zone in Jafuta Estate following a feasibility study that found the scheme to be highly profitable.

This paved the way for the implementation of the project. Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company is now busy scouting for investors, with Zimbabwe Cricket becoming the first serious investor that has shown interest.

In terms of Masuwe City’s scope, the Government earmarks a multi-million dollar project comprising a five-star convention centre with matching flagship hotels and villas, a golf estate, a medical tourism facility, a commercial central business district, an international service centre, high-end residential units and other top-notch facilities.

The plan for Masuwe City started in July 2020 following Government approval. Cabinet endorsed a final report for the project last year paving the way for the appointment of a town planner for the project.

Zimbabwe Cricket plans to build a 10 000-seater cricket stadium, becoming the pacesetter on the mega project which is set to become a game-changer in Zimbabwe’s tourism industry.

Between US$5 million and US$10 million will be invested mainly from grants from the International Cricket Council.

“Today marks the beginning of a very important project within our sports tourism cluster- the development of the International Cricket Stadium by Zimbabwe Cricket in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry supported by key stakeholders in a whole of government approach,” said Minister Rwodzi.

“Our meeting today is an important step in the commencement of development works on the Jafuta Estate covering 271.5 Hectares situated within the Masuwe Government of Zimbabwe-designated Special Economic Zone.”

Minister Rwodzi said the Government, working with other players is developing an integrated tourism resort to improve the tourism infrastructure in Victoria Falls.

“We are also enhancing and diversifying tourism through developing tourism and business facilities that blend with the natural environment, thus promoting ecotourism,” she said.

Minister Rwodzi said the cricket stadium is part of the integrated tourism resort that will accommodate a central business district, medical tourism facility, golf estate, civic centre, holiday homes, hotels, villas, international finance centre, a tourism school and conference facilities, as well as a multi-purpose sports facility.

She said the Government’s strategy is for local communities to become both the drivers and beneficiaries of the growth in the tourism and hospitality industry.

The minister said Zimbabwe Cricket has become a key factor in sports tourism growth.

“We thank Zimbabwe Cricket for this innovative approach to growing sports tourism in Zimbabwe, which will have a positive impact on our economy. As we embark on this exciting sports tourism journey, we urge all stakeholders, including tourism boards, industry associations, and local communities, to support and embrace this initiative,” she said.

Minister Rwodzi said the next step is the laying of the foundation stone by President Mnangagwa in May

Tourism is a key pillar contributing about 12 percent to the gross domestic product. The Masuwe Estate project will create job opportunities and improve citizens’ livelihoods.

“We thank traditional leaders and all stakeholders for supporting this sports tourism development programme. Our focus is on making tourism a key sector for economic growth and development in Zimbabwe particularly in changing the livelihoods of our local communities through new strategies in the ministry that focus on growing rural tourism, and gastronomy tourism, among others,” said Minister Rwodzi.

“We are convinced that this collaboration between Zimbabwe Cricket with the ministry and its agencies will attract new tourism markets and contribute to the sustainable development of our tourism industry for the benefit of our people.”

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo commended the Government for honouring traditional leaders.

“Involving traditional leaders is in line with the spirit and policy thrust of the Second Republic which seeks to ensure that we leave no one and no place behind in matters of national development. We look forward to investments that will benefit the community, province and the country at large and ultimately boost tourism growth,” he said.

Acting Chief Mvuthu, Mr Bishop Matata Sibanda said the community was humbled by the honour bestowed on their forefathers.

“This is not just an event, but an expression of our values and beliefs. It is important to honour our forefathers. As a community, we welcome the project as shown by our facilitation and participation at this traditional ceremony,” he said. 

Chiefs Mvuthu and Whange represented the five chiefs in Hwange District. —@ncubeleon