The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
TYPICAL of small-scale inland fisheries that provide essential ecosystem services comprising food, nutrient cycling in water, employment and income to millions of people and generate foreign currency, the vast water body of Marovanyati Dam in Buhera District has the capacity to sustain a good number of licenced fishing syndicates.
Just like the two contiguous peri-urban lakes, Chivero and Manyame, Marovanyati has the potential to sustain numerous fishing syndicates and provide vital ecosystems services such as potable water and habitat for aquatic organisms.
Unlike the two impoundments of Chivero and Manyame where fisheries are threatened by a number of factors such as water pollution, climate change, over-abstraction of the water and competing water withdrawing activities, Marovanyati has its unique serene and eco-friendly environs, ideal for the viability and sustainability of fisheries.
Apart from fishing expeditions, 65-foot pontoon pleasure houseboat similar to those on the shores of Lake Kariba, that are child friendly and offer guests a comfortable and spacious stay with three cabins, two of which offer double beds, while the third has two single beds, can be a reality at Marovanyati Dam.
With a cook and deckhand who have separate facilities and guests bringing their own food which the chef will prepare for them and an all-inclusive option available on request, this is yet another business opportunity that investors can explore at Marovanyati Dam.
Even that popular sunrise cruise on the Zambezi River aboard the famous Ra-Ikane Boat — operated by the upmarket Ilala Lodge Hotel which is located in one of the most scenic parts of Victoria Falls with guests enjoying rare, up-close sightings of birdlife and wildlife along the way, can also be a reality at Marovanyati Dam.
Agricultural business already being undertaken by locals in nearby irrigation schemes is also another commercial enterprise that came with the completion of Marovanyati Dam construction.
Member of House of Assembly for Buhera West, Cde Saul Nzuma underscored the need for investors to consider investing at Marovanyati Dam and tap into opportunities on offer.
Cde Nzuma said the dam provides appropriate business opportunities for investors willing to venture into different economic sectors that come with a dam of its magnitude.
He said the dam yearns for multiple business opportunities that Zimbabweans and foreign investors can take advantage of.
“We really want to thank the New Dispensation for ensuring that the construction of this dam is completed in time. We all know that in the past it would take decades for such noble projects to be completed, but Marovanyati construction was done in record time.
“It is now incumbent upon us as the people of Buhera and Manicaland at large to ensure that we facilitate optimum use of the dam and all the business opportunities that it offers.
“We really want to see trendy canoes providing entertainment for guests here. Lodge operators and fishing experts can also take advantage of this facility. In fact, Marovanyati Dam is now ready to be an ideal holidaying site and that means investors in that field have a big opportunity of investing around this area,” said Cde Nzuma.
Today, small groups of youths from nearby areas are operating fishing syndicates in exploiting the business opportunities on offer owing to the presence of this water body.
Prominent Mutirwara (18) of Mutirwara Village said: “We are a group of five youths who pooled resources to start a fishing project here. We do not have proper fishing equipment and we use these makeshift canoes and nets to catch fish.
“The canoes are risky and we are appealing to well-wishers or even Government to help us with proper fishing material so that we can increase our output. We harvest almost two buckets a day.”
Headmen Clemence Mutafira and Mombeyarara, echoed Cde Nzuma’s sentiments, saying: “We are really excited about this development. As a community, we think this will go a long way in changing lives for the better in areas surrounding Marovanyati Dam.
“There are a lot of business opportunities that we know can be exploited and this only needs proper investment. We call upon all those with capital to consider investing around Marovanyati Dam so that the dam does not become a white elephant.”
