NHCC Champions Community-Driven Heritage Conservation At Regional Workshop In Victoria Falls

VICTORIA FALLS TOWN, Zimbabwe, Wednesday, July 1, 2026  

The National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) [Zambia] has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting sustainable heritage conservation through active community participation and empowerment during the ongoing Workshop and Field Project on Entrepreneurship around World Heritage in Africa taking place from 29 June to 2 July 2026 at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe.

Speaking through NHCC East Central Regional Director Mr. MUYUMBWA NDIYOI, who represented him at the official opening, NHCC Executive Director Mr. Kagosi Mwamulowe said the Commission remains committed to integrating heritage conservation with socio-economic development in surrounding communities.

Mr. MWAMULOWE noted that the future of World Heritage Sites depends on a coordinated approach that combines conservation, community development and sustainable economic growth.

He emphasised that the workshop represents a strategic intervention aimed at ensuring that communities living around World Heritage Sites directly benefit from the global recognition attached to such heritage resources.

“When local communities derive tangible benefits through sustainable tourism, crafts and entrepreneurship, they naturally become the most committed custodians of heritage resources,” he said.

Mr. MWAMULOWE further stated that UNESCO-supported programmes are designed to empower communities as key actors in conservation by directly linking heritage protection to job creation and sustainable livelihoods.

He added that the NHCC has embraced this approach as part of its broader agenda of promoting people-centred and sustainable conservation.

The Executive Director further stressed the need for participants to translate the knowledge acquired during the workshop into practical and sustainable business initiatives capable of generating meaningful income for local communities while safeguarding the Outstanding Universal Value of heritage sites.

The workshop has attracted key regional and international stakeholders who have collectively reaffirmed the importance of strengthening the relationship between conservation and community empowerment.

Meanwhile, the Zambezi River Authority described the initiative as a practical outcome of collaborative partnerships being implemented under the sustainable development programme for the Mosi-oa-Tunya World Heritage Site.

The Authority stated that effective collaboration has the potential to transform heritage conservation, sustainable development and community empowerment into practical interventions that directly benefit local communities.

Participants were further encouraged to develop viable entrepreneurial initiatives capable of strengthening both livelihoods and heritage site management.

Africa World Heritage Fund Executive Director Dr. ALBINO JOPELA expressed optimism that the workshop would lead to immediate and practical outcomes through the implementation of pilot projects focused on entrepreneurship, job creation and income generation.

Dr. JOPELA also commended cooperating partners for their continued commitment to heritage preservation and community development.

In a joint statement, the Zambia and Zimbabwe National Commissions for UNESCO emphasized that heritage conservation should extend beyond preservation and contribute meaningfully to improving people’s livelihoods.

Senior Programme Officer Mr. JAMES KABUYE stated that heritage should be viewed not only as a reminder of the past, but also as a strategic asset capable of driving future prosperity while maintaining authenticity.

Traditional leaders also underscored the importance of community-centred conservation approaches.

Chief MOSOKOTWANE described Mosi-oa-Tunya as a living heritage deeply connected to the identity and daily lives of local communities, stressing that communities must responsibly benefit from heritage resources they have safeguarded for generations.

Chief HWANGE of Zimbabwe highlighted the need to empower young people and women through entrepreneurship opportunities linked to heritage conservation.

He observed that many young people possess innovative ideas and talent but often lack the necessary support systems to transform such potential into sustainable livelihoods.

The NHCC reiterated that the outcomes of the workshop are expected to strengthen the capacity of heritage practitioners and surrounding communities in entrepreneurship, business development and fundraising while promoting innovative community-led enterprises.

As Zambia continues positioning heritage as a driver of inclusive national development, the NHCC remains committed to ensuring that conservation efforts are community-driven, economically viable and sustainable for future generations.

Issued by:

Ndubi Mvula, Manager – Information and Public Relations [NHCC].

FOOTNOTE: The National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Tourism charged with the responsibility of conserving Zambia’s natural and cultural heritage for research, sustainable tourism development, education and enjoyment of all the people now in the future. 1989 December 29th National Heritage Conservation Commission Act CAP 173 was enacted.

Source: National Heritage Conservation Commission Facebook Page.