Chronicle Editor
ABOUT US$2 million has been invested in the tourism sector in Kwekwe by two local entrepreneurs as the Midlands province attracts more business attention.
The new investment projects, Dream Inn BnB Lodge and Sanja Shopping Mall and Conference Centre, owned by local businessmen,Mr Shepherd Chahwanda Magodora and Mr Cliff Makiwa, were officially opened by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube on Saturday.
The new facilities have since changed the face of the City of Kwekwe, buttressing the major milestones by the Second Republic towards the attainment of an upper middle-income society by 2030.
The conference centre can accommodate 200 people at a given time while the BnB Lodge will provide the much needed accommodation to visitors.
The development is expected to impact positively on job creation, infrastructure development, enhanced revenue generation for the local economy and development of a vibrant tourism value chain.
“It’s befitting that you have come in your numbers to witness the tangible milestone achievements by the Second Republic as we gravitate towards the realisation of an upper middle-income economy earlier than 2030,” said Minister Ncube.
“This remarkable economic growth is largely attributed to the New Dispensation’s thrust of opening up the economy to the private sector and availing numerous opportunities to indigenous and upcoming entrepreneurs credited for creating employment, as well as championing the industrialisation and modernisation agenda.”
Mr Magodora and Mr Makiwa are diversifying from mining, transport and real estate to the fast-growing tourism sector, complementing other existing facilities such as Redcliff Hotel, King Solomon Hotel, Beverly Hills Lodges, Pote Hotel, Hunters Hotel and Size Investments, among others.
“They have invested over US$2 million into Dream Inn BnB Lodge, Sanja Shopping Mall and Conference Centre, which is commendable,” said Ncube.
“In line with the promotion of domestic tourism, I urge the Midlands community to patronise these facilities as they offer top-class service and a variety of dishes that include traditional and Chinese cuisines.”
He said the unique investments will support downstream ventures such as horticulture and retail sectors, which constitute the bulk of materials procured by the entities.
“We applaud Mr Magodora and Mr Makiwa for their commendable corporate social responsibility programmes that include sprucing up an adjacent parking bay and payment of school fees for disadvantaged children in Midlands and Mashonaland West Provinces,” said the minister.
“I urge other local and foreign investors in our province to emulate this noble gesture.”
In his remarks, Mr Magodora who is the Dream Inn BnB Lodge managing director said they were excited to reach such a milestone.
“The President is on record saying it’s us who should build our own country and we are simply doing this. We believe that we have to play our part in ensuring that the President’s vision is achieved,” he said.
“He has opened enough space for us business people to invest and all we can do is support his efforts.”
Mr Makiwa, who is Sonja Shopping Mall and Conference Centre director said it was interesting that President Mnangagwa’s Government has opened opportunities for young people to participate in business.
“It’s through the empowerment programmes by the President that we can be part of the Vision 2030. Zimbabwe is the only country that we have and as such we need to build it ourselves,” he said.
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