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The majestic Boterekwa escarpment superimposing itself thereby dwarfing everything around, the mesmerising undulating terrain and the sharp curves all point to the area’s potential as one of the country’s prime tourist destinations. All that is required is to commit the required resources to put up the necessary infrastructure to this God-given tourism riches.
After negotiating the nerve-racking sharp curves stretching for about six kilometres of a road constructed by terracing the mountain, one finds it hard to avoid parking at a lay-by and breathe a sigh of relief as he or she reflects on the high risk of driving through the escarpment with a warning written in bold “The Wolf shall pass”.
Even the late legendary musician, Simon Chimbetu in one of his collection of songs once serenaded about the mystery surrounding Boterekwa mountains and the scary winding escarpment where the Italian company which constructed the section of the terraced road many years ago, demonstrated its ingenuity.
The chrome, gold and platinum mining town, home to the late Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Douglas Smith, has a unique weather which resembles that of the Eastern Highlands and many are convinced that it could be turned into vast plantations of pine trees and also apple trees are likely to do well just like in Nyanga.
Shurugwi Town Council and Tongogara Rural District Council, which share the Boterekwa catchment area, are both convinced that the area has great potential to become one of Zimbabwe’s prime tourist destinations given its natural attractions which mesmerises any visitor to the area.
The major stumbling block that the two local authorities have identified is lack of serious investors in tourism and hospitality industry.
With Zimbabwe set to co-host the historic United Nations World Tourism Assembly next year and the Midlands Province scheduled to host the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe national conference in October this year in the provincial capital, Gweru, the stage has surely been set for authorities to market Shurugwi’s tourism potential to both local and international investors. The two local authorities should organise site visits by these investors so that they have a first hand account of the town’s potential.
It is pleasing to note the Tongogara Rural District Council, chief executive officer, Doctor Lawrence Mantiziba, is also convinced that UNWTO presents an opportunity to turn the dreams of turning Boterekwa mountains and its environs into a tourist destination a reality.
About 4 000 delegates from 186 countries around the globe are expected in the country for the UNWTO General Assembly next year.
“This dream of turning Boterekwa into a tourist destination has not been realised mainly because of lack of investors despite its great potential. Many visitors are already flocking to the area to enjoy the beautiful scenery that could be enhanced by putting up the required infrastructure such as hotels and lodges. With the country set to host UNWTO assembly next year, we now have a chance to turn this dream into reality or never,” said Dr Mantiziba.
He said as council, they would start the marketing of the town’s potential as a tourist destination at the HAZ national conference to be held in Gweru in October this year as it believed that some local investors could start investing in the town ahead of the UNWTO General Assembly.
“Gweru city is a stone throw from Shurugwi and we will as the local authority organise site visits by conference delegates,” he said.
Shurugwi town which is along the Great dyke, remains one of the richest mineral mining towns in Zimbabwe and it seems investors have just concentrated on exploiting its minerals without bothering to exploit its other potential which is tourism.
The unfortunate development is that the town’s minerals have as a result failed to develop the town.
What is however, comforting is that a few businesses have realised the town’s potential to become a tourist destination of choice and have started investing in the hospitality industry.
Construction of lodges have started and given the pace at which work is progressing, a few could be ready before UNWTO General Assembly next year.
One of the outstanding lodges under construction is Nichrut Lodge, along the Gweru-Shurugwi highway near Shurugwi’s Sebanga suburb.
The state-of-the-art lodge is about 90 percent complete and could be among the best in the Midlands Province. It can equally claim a position among the best lodges in the country given the type of thatched lodges and other facilities.
The 16-bed lodge comprises six stand alone grass thatched executive en suites and 10 other ordinary double bed en suites.
Travellers are finding it difficult to just pass without stopping to have a look at the imposing structures.
The Lodge’s director, Mr Nicholas Gara, a renowned miner and farmer in the small mining town, said he decided in his small way to contribute to the country’s hosting of UNWTO General Assembly.
He said construction work was expected to be complete within two months .
“It should be our responsibility as businesspeople to provide such facilities especially in areas where we operate from. I realised that for the past 20 years I have been in Shurugwi doing business, there was not much investment in the hospitality industry hence my decision to venture into this sector,” he said.
Mr Gara said with the talk of UNWTO conference gathering momentum, he decided to put up a state of-the-art lodge in Shurugwi so as to market the town as a tourist destination.
The soft spoken businessman said he had deliberately timed the completion of his lodges to coincide with the HAZ conference to be held in Gweru in October.
“This project started on 10 August 2011 and we are expecting to have it completed work by the beginning of October. We should be able to accommodate some of the HAZ conference delegates,” he said.
The lodge, which is on a six-hectare piece of land, has a service station for the convenience of guests among other facilities.
Shurugwi Town council chairman Councilor Bulle Madzitire said it was pleasing to note that locals were taking the initiative to develop the town.
“This helps to boost confidence of investors from other areas and even from outside the country,” he said.
Mr Madzitire said with the completion of Nichrut Lodge, the town could now boast of having the capacity to host even international tourists attending the UNWTO General Assembly next year.
Online Reporter