The ManicaPost
Wimbainashe Zhakata Business Correspondent
MUTASA Rural District Council (RDC) has secured two investors that are willing to establish a hospital and hotel at Osborne Dam – the largest water reservoir in Manicaland.
Recently, authorities in Mutasa had expressed concern over lack of investment around the $300 million dam project, which has been lying idle for more than a decade.
The dam, cited on Odzi River was identified around 1950 and its construction was completed in 1995.
The reservoir is arguably the largest in Manicaland with a surface area covering about 2600 hectares.
The dam is over six kilometres wide and 66 metres deep, and has a total water storage capacity of 400 million cubic metres.
Mutasa district development coordinator Mr Tendai Kapenzi confirmed the developments in an interview with The Manica Post this week.
“We have two local investors who have an appreciation of Osborne Dam and have decided to develop it into an economic zone through the establishment of a hotel and modern hospital.
“It is more like a hotel and health tourism where tourists could come for health healing purposes,” said Mr Kapenzi.
Mr Kapenzi said Mutasa RDC had been facing challenges of jurisdiction with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management.
“Recently we had a meeting on investment promotions focusing on Osborne and the issue of ownership were raised as to who really owns the dam between Mutasa RDC and Zimparks.
“The issue of jurisdiction had crippled our ability to lure investors around that area. Currently Mutasa RDC is in charge of the dam, and that is why we are pushing forward to lure investors around the water reservoir,” said Mr Kapenzi.
Mr Kapenzi said there were more investments opportunities that could be tapped into around the dam.
“There are numerous opportunities that include game viewing, braaing and nightclubbing by the lakeside, accommodation services, possible house boating and even wedding receptions by the islands dotted round the dam.
“Osborne Dam is a world waiting to be explored since Zimbabwe is open for business,” added Mr Kapenzi.
