Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
MANICALAND Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza has made a clarion call for private-sector investment to unlock the province’s rich but largely underutilised tourism potential.
Speaking at the 10th annual ESG and Responsible Business Summit in Mutare on Monday, Minister Mugadza urged investors to view the province as an interconnected tourism circuit.
He said visitors could seamlessly explore Nyanga, Chimanimani, Mutarazi, and the hot springs over consecutive days, adding that strategically located accommodation facilities could capitalise on this steady flow of tourists.
“Investors should look at Manicaland as a complete tourism circuit,” he said. “You can visit Nyanga today, Chimanimani tomorrow, Mutarazi the next day and the hot springs after that. If you establish accommodation in the right location, you are creating a business that can benefit from all these attractions.”
He challenged investors to channel idle capital into productive ventures that generate employment and stimulate local economic development.
“Manicaland is waiting for investment. We have space, we have hardworking people and we have the attractions to support viable businesses,” he added.
Beyond tourism, the Minister identified education and healthcare as additional sectors ripe for responsible private investment, noting that the province still requires more schools and health facilities to complement state infrastructure.
Minister Mugadza said economic development must not come at the cost of ecological degradation.
“What touched me most about this programme is the emphasis on responsible business. We cannot destroy the environment simply to make money today and forget about tomorrow,” he said, urging businesses to adopt sustainable practices that preserve Manicaland’s natural resources for future generations.
Showcasing the province’s appeal, he cited Mount Nyangani—Zimbabwe’s highest peak—as a unique attraction offering breathtaking vistas and rare flora.
He also spotlighted Mutarazi Falls, lauding its zipline and skywalk for adding an adrenaline-fuelled dimension to the destination.
The scenic mountain ranges of Nyanga, Chimanimani, and Honde Valley, along with the province’s rich birdlife and forests, further position Manicaland as a prime eco-tourism hub.
Minister Mugadza reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting investments that protect the environment, create jobs, and transform Manicaland into a premier destination within Zimbabwe’s broader economic development agenda.
“Manicaland has the resources, the people and the beauty. What we need now is responsible investment that turns this potential into opportunities for our communities and our country,” he said.
