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Chimanimani: A land of vast opportunities

27 Nov, 2020 - 00:11 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Senior Reporter
CHIMANIMANI Rural District Council is mulling the establishment of a company that will partner other private sector players to drive investment into the district which has vast potential in various economic sectors.

The local authority’s chief executive officer, Mr Nehemiah Deure, said the idea is still at planning stages, but once all necessary plans are set in motion, council will run the company like a private entity.

“We are trying to attract investors into the district and we are thinking of setting up a 100 percent council owned company which will also compete with other private players in terms of business creation and profit making.

“The concept is still at its preliminary stages, but this is something we believe can help grow the district’s economy and its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. It will also drive us towards attainment of Vision 2030 goals,” he said.

He said once the company is formed, council will have to adopt a private sector culture to enable it to form lasting partnerships with other players in the private sector.

Mr Deure said Chimanimani has vast potential in the tourism sector, particularly the Bridal Veil Falls, Chimanimani National Park and Outward Bound.

The Bridal Veil Falls is located within the boundaries of Chimanimani National Park and is famed for its beauty and the plunge pool below it, known as Tessa’s Pool.

Although the waterfall was affected by Cyclone Idai in 2019, it has remained beautiful and could remain the top foreign currency earner when countries open their borders to allow international travelling.

“We have been trying to push our tourism industry by promoting investment in areas around Bridal Veil Falls. We have a piece of land close to the falls that we are marketing for the establishment of a world class standard hotel and conference centre. We believe Chimanimani can house an international conference centre overlooking the Bridal Veil Falls, which to us, is as good as the Victoria Falls.

“This can attract more visitors, but for that to happen we need a lovely hotel to accommodate the visitors.

“However, tourism is not the only low hanging fruit we have,” he said.

He said there are opportunities in the mining industry as the district is blessed with diamonds, gold, tantalite and even have potential for granite exploration.

Timber value addition is another area which can create employment for local communities as well as export markets for investors.

Mr Deure also highlighted the importance of the horticulture sector and how investors can tap into bottling of fresh water from the Chimanimani springs.

“Water bottling can bring us a lot of money because this district has fresh water next to none. We can tap into this idle resource and bring in a lot of business. We also have a good horticulture industry and all we need is to target export markets.

“This district has some perennial springs that can be used for irrigation all year round. If we have more investment into this area, we will see more of our people benefiting more from the fruit and vegetables they produce,” he said.

Chimanimani also has drier areas good for small animal production.

He said areas between Biriiri and Birchenough Bridge have plenty of land good for goat breeding.

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