Consortium embarks on mega tourism development project

From Goerge Maponga in MASVINGO
May 6, 2009

A CONSORTIUM of 20 indigenous conservancy operators, who benefited from the land reform programme in Masvingo, has embarked on a multi-million dollar tourism development project envisaged to give birth to Masvingo Wildlife Conservancy.

This will be possibly the first time that indigenous conservancy operators in the country would have come together to establish a tourism development spectacle of that magnitude.

The anticipated conservancy will be an amalgamation of 20 smaller conservancies and will cover over 14 500 hectares in the wildlife-rich Masvingo West belt that borders Mushandike Wildlife Sanctuary.

Once established, the conservancy is billed to become one of the biggest peri-urban tourist-attraction sites in Masvingo.

Project co-ordinator Cde Isaiah Muzenda yesterday said the conservancy would bring together at least 20 wildlife properties on the outskirts of Masvingo city.

He said the roll-out of the project had previously been hampered by delays in the allocation of other properties, some of which were under dispute.

"We have about 20 indigenous conservancy operators on the outskirts of Masvingo who want to come together and set up Masvingo Wildlife Conservancy.

"Such a development is a first of its kind in the province because we want to create a vast area that is home to a variety of wildlife on the outskirts of Masvingo city.

"Once implemented, the idea is to ensure that we tap on the envisaged tourism boom that will come with the 2010 World Cup finals," he said.

Holy smoke, that sounds ambitious ... Dont know if it will work as to get all 20 indigenious benefactors to agree and whom will run it is another question !!

Is it going to be a private enterprise or will there be some form of cronyism is the BIG? I am a bit sceptical at this point in time until more details emerge

Cheers, Peter

When warthogs fly.. When 20 " indigenous benefactors" from Zim come together to promote tourism, on what is admittedly stolen land from white farmers, I will donate my double gun to the cause. What a joke. These fat cats have run out of stuff to steal, and are trying to figure out any sceme to make money. Tourism in Zim has one name only-HUNTING. Indigenous benefactors is a laughable term at best in most of Africa. Are there exceptions, yes,maybe, but somewhere out there is probably a Bigfoot slowdancing with a three legged balerina. About the same odds.
Keep me posted on how this lofty project turns out.