Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
COMMUNITIES in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South Province have expressed excitement following the refurbishment of Unesco world heritage tourism and historical sites dotted around their district by the Government saying the development is going to boost their revenue streams as it will allow them to revive community tourism.
Umzingwane tourist attraction sites which include Diana’s Pools, Lumene Falls, Matshatshatsha Waterfalls, spectacular rock formations, balancing rocks and the rare orbicular granite and caves are mainly within the buffer zone of Matobo World Heritage Site. The district is also rich in history with historical sites such as Rhodes Indaba site and caves that are decorated with amazing rock paintings chronicling the life of the San people.
There is also historical evidence of other early inhabitants through stone ruins in Kumbudzi which resemble those at Khami and Great Zimbabwe. Umzingwane is also rich in cultural tourism which includes traditional dance.
A visit to the district by Sunday News last week revealed that the various tourist sites in the district are being refurbished with communities expressing optimism that they are going to reap the benefits through their interaction with tourists.
The visit followed the announcement by the Government that Diana’s Pools was completely refurbished.
Mr Learn Ncube who is the secretary of the Diana’s Pool community-based tourism project said council provided the various resources for the refurbishment of the tourist attraction.
“Umzingwane Rural District Council (URDC) came through and installed a Jojo tank which is providing piped water to our ablution facilities in order to make our facilities conducive for visitors. They have also provided us with grass which we used to refurbish our tea room/pavilion giving a major facelift to the facility.
“We are optimistic that we are going back in the day where one would find more than 30 cars, with tourists coming from different parts of the world coming through to pitch up tents, swim and experience the beauty of the area. As the local community, we would come through with traditional fruits, vegetables and other foodstuffs which we would sell and raise funds for livelihoods. We really ask for support to market this area so that we can also benefit from it,” said Mr Ncube.
Mr Velile Dube who is a committee member said people vandalised the infrastructure sometime ago, but was optimistic that with the refurbishment work, the site would return to its glory days.
“People looted various resources like the fence, windows and other valuables. As a community, and through the support of the URDC, refurbishment works have been undertaken and we hope to see more tourists coming through to this site.
“We wish to see our children getting employment from these sites. I am saying sites because we have a number of them.
“Just a few kilometres we have the Rhodes Indaba, Lumene Falls and Mtshabezi Dam where there are chalets for tourists to visit, pitch up tents, go for canoeing and fishing.
“We expect the proceeds to benefit the communities, help the elderly, pay for orphans’ fees as well as develop the area,” said Mr Dube.
The Rhodes Indaba is the where Rhodes and the British South Africa Company (BSAC) and the Ndebele indunas held their first indaba on 21 August 1896 following Ndebele resistance against British colonialism in March 1896 in what is now known the First Umvukela. The spirited resistance by the Ndebele saw Rhodes and the BSAC concluding that negotiation was the only way to end the conflict. On the other hand, Ndebele indunas were keen to end the conflict to enable cultivation of crops so as to avoid famine. This resulted in the two sides meeting at the site aimed at the cessation of hostilities.
URDC Chief Executive Officer Mrs Sithembiso Sibanda said council embarked on resuscitation of the tourist attraction sites with funding from local resources and donations.
“This is being done to meaningfully contribute to National Development Strategy 1 economic growth through utilisation of natural resources.
“When the site is well preserved and marketed, it will aid in the conservation of the natural heritage and immensely benefit the community and district as a whole. Domestic tourism will definitely improve while cultural values will be preserved.
“As indicated, donations are welcome in aiding the success of this noble cause and we wish to install signage on the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Highway as part of our marketing strategy to attract more tourists,” said Mrs Sibanda. @nyeve14
