Cultural village set to lead in community-based tourism

MATABELELAND North is set to become a pacesetter in community-based tourism following the emergence of rural tourism facilities, which have the potential to change the face of the country’s hospitality industry.

Following the introduction of Umuzi Rural Experience, which was visited by chefs and hospitality industry executives on the sidelines of the recent United Nations Tourism Regional Gastronomy Forum for Africa, a new gem is coming up in rural Lubangwe in Hwange District.

A Chronicle news crew visited the new facility, which is under construction and observed that it had the potential to attract tourists, particularly those in need of a serene environment in the woods.

Tucked on the fringes of Hwange National Park, Lubangwe Cultural Village, is an ideal place for game viewing and game drives.

The centre has traditional huts each resembling a specific tribe, a gazebo, and other structures. Three chalets are complete and furnished while others are still under construction.

A pavilion, which will also have front offices has been completed while work is underway on the construction of a campsite.

The place is already solarised while a dam measuring 150mX50m will be constructed to water wildlife.

The village is set to become a melting pot for all cultures, tribes and languages in Zimbabwe.

The name of the village “Lanyula” means “sunset” in Nambya.

The proprietor is United Kingdom-based, Mr Takudzva Mutepfa, who said he had so far invested more than US$200 000 and the project is expected to cost him US$500 000 on completion.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Dr Takaruza Munyanyiwa, who visited the facility last week, said it was 90 percent complete with plans underway for its official opening.

“For us, this is very important within our tourism cluster and it falls under the culture and heritage. We want to transform the way villages integrate into mainstream tourism,” he said.

“It is through this community-based tourism that we are going to transform the lives of rural folk so that they become part and parcel of the tourism value chain.”

Dr Munyanyiwa said Lanyula Cultural Village will showcase culture and enhance skills development in the community.

He said the Government will support the place in terms of marketing and skills.

“For years our rural tourism was not well-defined. We are supporting projects like these so that everybody is involved. The project is 90 percent complete and this is a very good product for domestic tourism,” said Dr Munyanyiwa.

“This can be one of the places where schools can do tours and it is an integral and important part of tourism within Matabeleland North and Zimbabwe that will showcase our heritage, which makes us Zimbabwean.”

Mr Mutepfa said the facility is a product of seven years of investment into rural communities.

“We are introducing what we call rural sustainability and social mobility. We want our rural communities to stay where they are and we are finding that this is the way forward for us to use culture as a driver for development,” he said.

“We don’t need to go far, but we can use what we already have. We aim to bring all communities together and we are not only relying on agriculture but coming up with different things to sustain communities and Lanyula Cultural Village is creating what we call stakeholders around here.”

Lanyula has introduced new skills that were not traditionally in Matabeleland North such as sculpture.

With the creation of jobs and a sense of ownership by the local community, the facility will help reduce poaching and cutting of Mopani trees for energy thereby enhancing conservation and skills transfer.

The project is in sync with Vision 2030 aimed at transforming the economy into an upper middle-income economy.

Upon completion, the cultural village will have six chalets for accommodation, a sky-view lodge, a central pavilion and a kitchen.