Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike in Masvingo
VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Kembo Mohadi has described Popoteke Gorge Resort in Lake Kyle Recreational Park, Masvingo, as a game changer that will transform the tourism landscape in the province.
The Vice-President made the remarks yesterday when he toured the site to assess progress on the construction of the luxury tourism facility being developed by Veterans Investment Holdings Company (VIHC).
The investment project is being developed on a five-hectare piece of land, with the first phase now almost 50 percent complete.
About $800 000 has been set aside for the first phase, which will see the construction of seven luxury accommodation facilities expected to be completed by the end of next month.
VIHC is a State company established to create structured, revenue-generating projects that directly benefit veterans of the struggle and their dependants.
The company’s mandate is to generate sustainable revenue for the Veterans Fund and ensure economic empowerment for those who sacrificed for the country’s independence.
Speaking after touring the project, Vice-President Mohadi said the facility had the potential to become one of the war veterans’ flagship projects that could fund other projects.
“I am really impressed by this. This project is a game changer. You might say that there are only floors here and all that, but these floors mean a lot,” he said.
Vice-President Dr Mohadi said the project could attract funding from financial institutions because of its potential to generate revenue.
“I am very much impressed because this is going to be one of the war veterans’ flagship projects that will be in a position to fund other projects because the money is here.
“As I said, they told me during the briefing that this project sells on its own and with the concept of this project you can go to any bank and tell them that this is what you want to do and they will give you money.
“So, we need to encourage them and make sure that they are resources where they lack,” he said.
Vice-President Mohadi described liberation war fighters as a Government in themselves, saying they fought colonialism to establish their own Government.
“They are the Government themselves. They are the ones who brought the Government we are talking about and they were the ones who empowered every individual that was not with them in the trenches.
“So, we came to witness what they themselves can do, and they are not only being empowered, but they can do it better,” he said.
Popoteke Gorge Resort is one of four tourism investment projects being undertaken by VIHC in Masvingo Province.
The other projects are Chisase Farm, Mwenezi Farm and a replica tourism facility set to be constructed at Tokwe-Mukorsi.
During the tour, Vice-President Mohadi was accompanied by Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Monica Mavhunga, Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and
Devolution Cde Ezra Chadzamira, VIHC group chief executive officer Mr Cougan Matanhire and Zanu-PF officials.
On Thursday, the Vice-President toured the 210ha Chisase Farm in Masvingo South, which had been lying idle for nearly 15 years and is expected to benefit liberation war fighters, youths and the community at large.
