Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa-Mutare Bureau
MANICALAND is racing against time to ensure full preparedness for the upcoming Sanganai World Tourism Expo, scheduled for next month.
The Government has assured the nation that critical infrastructure projects are on track.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona accompanied by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi and other government officials, also toured the Mutare Sports Club Grounds, the main expo venue.
Minister Felix Mhona said the ongoing rehabilitation and construction works in Manicaland demonstrate the Government’s commitment to uplifting the province, in line with the Second Republic’s vision.
“We are here in Manicaland. At Grand Reef, where we know it was a military base, now it is a civilian airport that we are upgrading. Together with the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, we are rehabilitating the runway, which is close to 1.2 kilometres, but our intended desire is to stretch it to two kilometres. We are happy that now we can accommodate smaller boarded planes as we move towards a modern airport within this province,” he said.
Minister Mhona also said that Government was advancing the long-awaited Christmas Pass bypass road project to ease traffic congestion and promote seamless travel into Mutare.
“We are cutting mountains so that we make the Christmas Pass bypass road possible. That 31.2 kilometre road with three interchanges will be handed over to Government in the next 13 months. We are also widening and expanding Forbes Border Post, and feasibility studies have been completed. By the first quarter of 2026, massive construction works will be underway,” said Minister Mhona.
He assured citizens that quality and accountability were now at the core of Government projects.
“Gone are the days when work was done halfway. We have provincial engineers and resident engineers superintending every stage. Contractors are only paid after certification of the work done,” he said.
Minister Rwodzi, whose ministry is coordinating the expo, praised the upgrades as a milestone for tourism development.
She said the transformation of Grand Reef Airport was long overdue and would open Manicaland to both domestic and international visitors.
“Air connectivity for tourism was a long-standing issue. Today, after seeing the progress, we are celebrating. We are very grateful to our President, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who allows us to dream and supports those dreams through his Cabinet and Treasury. This project at Grand Reef was funded through our Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality, working together with the Ministry of Transport, to ensure accessibility,” she said.
Minister Rwodzi said that infrastructure and accessibility were the key drivers of tourism growth.
“Once you have accessibility to an attraction or a facility, business will boom. Tourism already contributes significantly to our GDP, and this can only grow through accessibility. With Air Zimbabwe coming on board with new aircraft to service this route, Manicaland is poised for an economic breakthrough,” she said.
She described the Eastern Highlands as Zimbabwe’s Scotland, citing its cool weather, lush vegetation, and mountain ranges.
“The Eastern Highlands has always been considered a sleeping giant in tourism. Why we have chosen Manicaland as the next destination for Sanganai/Hlanganani is because it is our second Victoria Falls and it needs promotion. We want international buyers who are coming for the Expo to spend a week here and experience what this province has to offer,” said Minister Rwodzi.
