Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
WHAT about five-star lodges along the banks of the Sabi River?
That’s what Chibuwe Technical High School is setting its sights on.
The proposed lodges will serve both as a commercial venture and a practical training centre.
Construction is expected to start in the first quarter of this year with completion targeted for September the same year.
School head, Mr Needmore Maposa, confirmed the development in.
“I realised that Chipinge District lacks adequate accommodation facilities despite being richly endowed with numerous tourism attractions. That gap presented an opportunity for us.
“In establishing this School of Hospitality, we drew inspiration from the model at Chinhoyi University of Technology, where they operate a hotel that is largely managed and run by students from the Hospitality and Tourism Department.
“We want to replicate that approach at our technical high school. We already have the students with the interest and potential; what we now seek is to provide them with practical, hands-on training by teaching them while they are on the job,” said Mr Maposa.
The lodges will be located along the scenic riverbanks of the Sabi River.
In addition to accommodation, the facility will offer dining services, conferencing facilities and various recreational activities.
“The lodges will be open to members of the public. We will offer accommodation, dining services, conferencing facilities and a range of recreational activities.
“We believe this development will attract more tourists into the district, particularly because of the breathtaking scenery and abundant wildlife surrounding the site we have selected along the banks of the Sabi River,” said Mr Maposa.
The tourism component sits at the heart of the project.
Chipinge is known for its natural attractions, yet limited high-end accommodation has constrained its ability to fully capitalise on visitor traffic.
“We are also looking to attract football teams because we will have well-maintained soccer grounds within the complex. Our vision is to host training camps as well.
“We want to attract big teams like Dynamos and Highlanders and others so that they can come here.”
