‘Museums key to tourism’

Natasha Kokai Herald Reporter
Government is set to develop National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe into an institution that will explore more innovative ways to tackle contemporary social issues, through research and exhibition of research results, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has said.

In a speech read on his behalf by permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr Melusi Matshiya, during the commemoration of International Museums Day in Harare yesterday, Minister Mathema said museums and heritage sites are key tourism drivers of the economy.

“Museums being non-profit does not mean not making money. They are key tourism drivers of our economy.

“My vision therefore is to develop National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe into an institution that is heavily involved in tourism and hospitality over and above its traditional mandate of heritage conservation and education,” he said.

Minister Mathema said Government has established new tourism attractions which will add revenue for Zimbabwe.

He also urged the NMMZ to engage both local and foreign investors in developing the heritage sites through hospitality innovations.

“Through Government’s Rapid Results Initiative in projects implementation, NMMZ recently developed the Pupu Monument in Lupane, the Kamungoma Massacre Site in Gutu and the 1966 Chinhoi Battle Site in Chinhoi.

“These three additions to the national monument list, whilst very rich as places significant to our history and common experiences, are also new tourism attractions whose patronage by both domestic and foreign tourist must generate much needed revenue for our nation.

“I know that for the NMMZ to invest in value addition at heritage sites, there will be need for mobilisation of capital to invest in the development of the requisite infrastructure.

“In this regard, I encourage museums to go into partnerships with local or foreign investors. Zimbabwe needs to fully benefit from its heritage resources which we know are major tourism attractions,” he said.

Zimbabwe is among the countries that are celebrating the existence of the significant day for 42 years.

This year’s celebrations will be running under the theme: “Museums as Cultural Hubs: The future of tradition.”

The International Council of Museums created International Museum Day in 1977. The organisation chooses a different theme for the day and coordinates the celebrations every year.