Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
Baradzanwa Cultural Village, the world-class tourism and conferencing facility established by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, has emerged as a living example of the type of transformative investment Mashonaland Central Province is seeking to attract, with delegates to the inaugural two-day provincial investment conference describing the venue as proof that rural industrialisation is achievable.
Held under the theme, “Accelerating Rural Industrialisation and Modernisation for Sustainable Growth in Mashonaland Central Province,” the conference brought together Government ministers, investors, local authorities, development agencies and business leaders to explore opportunities across mining, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure.
What was once an ordinary rural landscape has been transformed into a thriving tourism and conference destination, boasting modern facilities, culturally themed accommodation and traditional cuisines, making Baradzanwa a showcase of how indigenous investment can unlock rural economies.
Mazowe Rural District Council official Engineer Daniel Chinyemba said the facility itself was a testimony to the province’s investment potential.
“As they say, action speaks louder than words, and here at Baradzanwa, I am sure it is shouting very loudly what Mazowe represents,” he said.
“No one could have imagined that such a beautiful place could result from what used to be an ordinary place. Through efforts by investors, it has been turned into one of the hottest places for convening.
“If you are going to meet in Mashonaland Central and you don’t meet here, then you have no date.”
Engineer Chinyemba said the remarkable transformation taking place at Baradzanwa mirrored the development trajectory envisioned for Mazowe and the province at large.
“This is not the end. It is perhaps just the beginning. We are just starting, and you will see even greater development,” he said.
He outlined several ready-to-go projects in Concession, Christon Bank and Umvukwes areas, ranging from residential flats and hotels to tourism facilities, game parks and recreation centres, saying the local authority had embraced the ease of doing business agenda and stood ready to facilitate investors.
Engineer Chinyemba said Mazowe’s strategic location, fertile soils, mineral wealth and proximity to the new city made it one of Zimbabwe’s most attractive investment destinations.
The district, he said, is endowed with 42 commercially exploitable minerals, 98 perennial dams and extensive agricultural potential, having recently emerged as the country’s top wheat-producing district.
Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) chief executive Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo said Baradzanwa itself demonstrated how vision could be converted into a viable business.
“It is my first time at this facility and I was pleasantly surprised,” he said.
“Along the highway there is something hidden, but when you drive in, it is actually quite amazing. Someone saw the vision and invested here, and this is really what we should be telling people.
“Whatever motivated the investor to come here and say this is the spot, we should make it easy for the next person who also wants to do something similar.”
Mr Chinamo said the conference should move beyond policy discussions to implementation and the packaging of bankable projects capable of attracting investment.
He said every investment opportunity must solve a real need and be structured in a language investors understand.
“Zimbabwe is made up of provinces and investments must sit somewhere. The question is: why should investors come to Mashonaland Central?” he said.
“This province stands out because of its strong agricultural base, young population, rich mineral resources, infrastructure and strategic location.”
Mr Chinamo said ZIDA was ready to assist local authorities and stakeholders in identifying, packaging and marketing projects, as well as facilitating investment approvals.
“We are here to help identify opportunities, package them and, more importantly, sell them,” he said.
Baradzanwa’s success story encapsulates the province’s aspirations of turning rural resources into modern industries and tourism enterprises capable of creating jobs, improving livelihoods and driving economic growth.
Baradzanwa Cultural Village offers more than a conference venue; it provides a blueprint for the kind of investment-led transformation envisaged under Vision 2030, where rural communities become centres of innovation, commerce and sustainable development.
daniel chigunwe