Township tourism in Zimbabwe

THE Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)’s township tourism project has failed to live up to its billing.  Launched in October 2012, amid much pomp and fanfare in the historic township of Highfield, the project has failed to attract noteworthy visitors to Harare’s oldest suburb, which is home to early nationalist movement in Zimbabwe.

A snap survey conducted in the suburb of Highfield recently showed that most of the nationalist homes, which are the centre of attraction of the project, have not recorded significant tourists. Sheds put at the front of the homes that were supposed to give a brief profile and histories of the nationalists are showing signs of neglect and are peeling off, raising questions of whether the project was carefully thought out before its launch.

On the other hand, some of the access roads and landmark facilities in the suburb are deteriorating. “I have not been privy to how the project has been moulded. While the project in its intent was correct, it needed wide consultation and participation of people in the suburb,” remarked Special Zuze Councillor for Highfield’ ward 26. According to Councillor Zuze, the inclusion of cultural icons and participation of local arts groups was critical for creating a credible tourist destination.

Shepard Zvorwadza who lives close to Cyril Jennings Hall, which has been earmarked as an orientation centre, says ZTA should have started promoting schools and other local groups to make organised tours of the place. “Projects of this nature needs an eco-tourism approach so that the locals and community can support the initiative,” explained Zvorwadza.

Project initiators, ZTA have been tight-lipped on what has become of the project. Contacted for comment, ZTA chief executive officer, Karikoga Kaseke, said that he was not feeling well. At its launch ZTA chief executive Karikoga Kaseke was quoted saying the new concept would be promoted as the country had a lot to tell in the form of its history. “That is the way to go. We have no option; we need to develop the product. It’s something we have to do. It’s better late than never,” Kaseke said then.

Highfield has been home to nationalists such as President Robert Mugabe, the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo, the late Herbert Chitepo, the late Leopold Takawira, the late Enos Nkala, the late Bernard Chidzero and George Nyandoro and many other luminaries, who were behind the liberation of the country from colonial rule.

Adapted from the South African model where the late South African President Nelson Mandela’s house in Soweto is one of the world’s famous tourist attractions on the continent and working closely with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism was expected to employ the township or village tourism approach to harness the expected economic benefits from the innovation.

Beginning with the homes of the well-known nationalists, it was projected that the initiative would help create knowledge about the early nationalist movements and also provide insights into the African way of life particularly in Harare’s second oldest township. – Stephen Tsoroti