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Preparations for the second edition of the Great Limpopo Cultural Fair are now at an advanced stage with cultural experts from Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe expected to converge in the Lowveld to discuss ways of promoting cultural tourism among Vatsonga (Shangaan) communities. The fair was launched last year to market investment opportunities in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park conservation area.
Shangaan speaking people are predominant in the transfrontier conservation area that comprises communities around the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe, Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Fair co-ordinator, Herbert Pikhela, recently said several cultural activities and tours have been lined up in the Lowveld during the event that runs from September 3-6 this year.
He said local authorities from South Africa have already confirmed their participation at the Fair that sought to promote cultural tourism.
“We are going to have representatives from Vembe and Makhado municipalities who will attend this year’s fair while those from Mozambique are yet to confirm their presence. Besides touring some areas in the Gonarezhou National Park during the fair, we will also visit Buffalo Range International Airport, which is a major gateway of tourists to the wildlife – rich infested Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park,’’ he said.
Pikhela said delegates would also visit cane fields owned by indigenous farmers who benefited from government’s land reform programme and also Gonakudzingwa Restriction Camp, where the colonial Ian Smith regime detained nationalist leaders before independence.
“The fair will climax with the holding of the Shangaan Festival where delegates will be treated to an exposition of various facets of the Shangaan culture that will seek to attract tourists,’’ he said.
The fair has already created positive developments for Zimbabwe’s Lowveld area with Chiredzi town already involved in twinning talks with Makhado municipality of South Africa.
Exchange programmes have also been introduced in a development that has seen Shangaan people from Zimbabwe participating in similar fairs especially the Mapungubwe Cultural Heritage Fair in South Africa.
Communities around the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa are expected to benefit from tourists flocking into arguably the world’s largest wildlife habitat created after joining of national parks from the three countries.
The inaugural fair was held last year and it drew cultural experts, tourism officials and parks officials from the three southern African countries.
Online Reporter