Are World Heritage Site listings a blessing or a curse?

A UNESCO World Heritage Site listing carries a great deal of prestige, but can also outprice local residents and exacerbate inequalities

By Rina Chandran

BANGKOK, July 27 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A beloved British city stripped of its hard-won World Heritage listing, an Australian treasure spared the blushes after it was left off an "in danger" list, and a Thai national park hoping to be third-time lucky despite its spotty human rights record.

Why are World Heritage Site listings so sought after, and why are they so controversial?

What is a world heritage listing?       

The United Nations' cultural agency UNESCO in 1972 noted that cultural and natural heritage are increasingly under threat of damage from decay, and from changing social and economic conditions.

Some of these sites are of "outstanding interest" to all mankind and must be preserved, it said. These sites can include monuments, dwellings, forests and mountains.

Currently, there are more than 1,100 heritage sites on the list, which is updated every two years.

A separate intangible cultural heritage list was created in 2003 for items such as dance, music and traditions.

How does a site get world heritage listing?

A country first does an inventory of its natural and cultural heritage sites and makes a tentative list.

The government then presents a nomination file to the World Heritage Centre for review. This is evaluated by two advisory bodies: the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The World Heritage Committee makes the final decision.

What are the benefits of a World Heritage Site listing?

A listing carries a great deal of prestige, and benefits include "increased tourist visitation, increases in employment opportunities and income for local communities, and better management and protection of the place," according to the government of Australia, which has 20 World Heritage Sites.

Sites can also receive monetary assistance from the World Heritage Fund.

Is there a downside to a World Heritage Site listing?

Criticism has grown over the years, with researchers, conservationists and human rights activists saying that the process is marred by bureaucratic wrangling and underhand deals between the committee and governments.

The rush of tourists - including so-called WHS baggers -  can outprice local residents and uproot communities.

There is also an imbalance between wealthier and poorer nations, with the former having far more sites on the list.

Even the IUCN has said the programme is in need of "radical change if (it) is to remain an effective conservation tool."

Why the controversy this year?

Last week the World Heritage Committee stripped Liverpool of its listing because new buildings undermined the city's "authenticity and integrity," making it only the third site to be removed from the prestigious list.

Then, the Committee said it would not add the Great Barrier Reef to a list of sites that are "in danger", some due to climate change, following intensive lobbying by Australia.

Environmental groups criticised the move, and said Australia was not doing enough to protect the reef.

On Monday, the Committee added Thailand's Kaeng Krachan forest complex after having rejected the government's bids in 2016 and 2019.

The addition came despite an unusual appeal last week by U.N. human rights experts to their colleagues at UNESCO: defer the bid until indigenous Karen people who live in the forest have been consulted.

"Should the nomination as heritage status be approved it would perpetuate the denial of the Karen's right to remain on their traditional lands and carry out their traditional livelihood activities," they said in a statement.

Hundreds of indigenous Karen people have been evicted from the national park, and a listing can mean more rights violations, said Surapong Kongchanthuk, head of the Karen Studies and Development Centre.

"They are not opposed to the listing - but the communities have not been reassured of their access to the forest," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"They are concerned that a listing will mean more tourists, and no place in the forest for them," he said.

A spokesman for the forest department did not respond to requests for comment. 

This article was updated on July 27, 2021 to add approval of Thai forest complex as a World Heritage Site

(Reporting by Rina Chandran @rinachandran; Editing by Tom Finn. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit http://news.trust.org)

Source: Are World Heritage Site listings a blessing or a curse? (27/07/2021)

Victoria Falls F1 circuit construction reaches major milestone

Ricky Zililo & Innocent Kurirwa, Sports Reporters
PLANS to construct a Grand Prix Circuit in the resort city of Victoria Falls have reached a major milestone, with experts taking to the simulator to review the track design.

Proposed Victoria Falls F1 circuit

The circuit, which is expected to add more glamour to the country’s premier resort city, has seen a number of international motorsport professionals taking to the circuit layout, including ex-Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports F1 technical pundit Karun Chandhok, sharing the simulator track model with Karun, who did a number of laps on the simulator, and providing useful feedback even before actual construction begins.

Designs for the circuit, to be known as the Zambezi River International Circuit, were submitted to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) for approval before actual work can begin.

It will be constructed 30km east of Victoria Falls along the Batoka Gorge close to the Zambezi River on a 500-hectare estate, and will be the only FIA Grade 1 circuit in Africa when completed.

The 5 416 metre-long F1 motor racing course is expected to attract the highest class of single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA and owned by the F1 Group.

The main circuit will be 5.4km long with a 1.07km kart track and 1.2km drag strip, and is envisaged to host about four or five international motorsports a year.

In addition to the motorsport tracks, the circuit will also have 325m three storey pit garage that will also have conference facilities, a medical facility, theme-park, gorge coasters, cracking glass sky walkway and a live conservation theme park headlined by a full-scale replica of Noah’s Ark.

The circuit has been designed by award winning RIBA Chartered UK firm, Driven International, in partnership with local engineers in accordance with FIA Grade 1 guidelines.

After driving on the virtual Victoria Falls circuit, Chandhok said: “The Zambezi River International Circuit has a great flow to it. Unlike a lot of recently built tracks that are quite stop-start, on this one you can put up a lap with a brilliant rhythm and speed to it.”

Dan Selby of Driven International, who steered the layout design review, said a beautiful setting deserves a beautiful track.

“So much excites me about this project; the setting, the natural topography, the expansion of motorsport in Africa.

The track design itself is a particularly unique layout, with some experimental corner geometry and we have maximised on the topographical opportunities through our design”, said Selby.

The facility will be powered by solar electricity and where possible, the undulating natural landscaping will be used as a spectator viewing area, ensuring much of the site’s rich beauty will not only remain intact, but be accentuated and enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

If constructed, the circuit will boost sports tourism after Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) shelved plans to build a multi-purpose stadium in Victoria Falls in 2016 due to financial constraints.

ZC had received approval to build a 12 000-seater cricket stadium in the resort city in 2010.

In 2018, Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) announced that it had found an investor to help build a rugby stadium in Victoria Falls following the inauguration of the Kwese Sports sevens tournament that was planned to be staged in the country’s tourism capital until next year.

ZRU also approached the Victoria Falls City Council seeking permission to upgrade Chinotimba Stadium into a top-class venue as part of its aim to develop the game in the resort town and to attract international events and clubs.

However, none of ZRU’s wishes have borne fruit, leaving the Grand Prix Circuit as the only hope for Victoria Falls and the country to boost tourism through sport.

Source : Victoria Falls F1 circuit construction reaches major milestone (The Chronicle, 06/07/21)

Read more : Everything we know about Zimbabwe’s Formula 1 track (25/01/20)

See Also

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (9th May 2018) Investor keen to bring Grand Prix to Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (2nd June 2018) Huge Boost for Vic Falls As UAE Investors to Build World Class Hospital, Motor Racing Course, Shopping Mall and a Hotel.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th July 2018) Vic Falls’ $1.2 bn project takes shape.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (27th September 2018) Construction of Grand Prix circuit in Vic Falls to go ahead.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (4th June 2019) Vic Falls Grand Prix arena to boost tourism.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (29th January 2020) New Vic Falls sporting facility a boom for sports tourism.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (7th July 2021) Victoria Falls F1 circuit construction reaches major milestone.

Victoria Falls Falls Bits and Blogs (13th October 2022) Why a Formula One racetrack in Zimbabwe is a pipe dream.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (16th October 2022) Victoria Falls F1-grade racecourse plans halted by High Court.

Read more on the Keep Victoria Falls Wild website.

Victoria Falls town clerk reinstated

 A COMMISSION of inquiry set by Victoria Falls City Council to investigate allegations of corruption levelled against suspended Town Clerk Ronnie Dube has exonerated him, paving way for his reinstatement.

Victoria Falls Mayor Councillor Somveli Dlamini suspended Dube on April 28, 2021 accusing him of corruption, gross incompetence, abuse of office and causing the local authority to lose revenue.

The suspension was without pay and benefits.

Councillors revoked the suspension before Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo verbally suspended Dube on May 14, after Dube had appeared in court facing a charge of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

Dube is out on $50 000 bail.

Councillors were divided over the issue and recently set up a five-member commission of inquiry comprising three former councillors Vusumuzi Moyo, Million Moyo and Alderman Nkosilathi Jiyane who is the city’s former Mayor, Hwange Rural District Council chief executive Mr Phindile Ncube and lawyer Mr Elvis Mashindi.

The commission presented its findings to the council on Thursday where it stated that there was no wrongdoing by Dube.

The commission chaired by Ald Jiyane said the charges could have emanated from personal vendettas and lack of trust within council and recommended that the local authority should improve on its information handling and avoid having any random speaking for the organisation.

It said the council has a lot of work to do especially in policy making.

The council, the commission said, should have conducted a thorough internal investigation on the allegations before going public and would have ‘picked that there was no nexus between the allegations and Mr Dube’s conduct as a Town Clerk. Most of the stands were allocated before he commenced employment with the council.

“We are not a hearing body but a commission to gather facts on allegations. We dealt with issues that were availed to us as allegations and so we gathered information, checked on the stands in question through physical visits and documents and interviewed concerned parties.

We found no charges against the Town Clerk and we have forwarded recommendations to council and it’s up to them to take a decision.

“Further there is need for the council to have watertight public relations policy and guidelines. Leaking of confidential company business is the order of the day. There is need for council to have a one anchor person communicating council’s position to the outside world regarding its issues. We recommend that the council proceeds in terms of Section 139 (3) (b) of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15 in light of our findings. In future there is need for council to have internal dispute resolution mechanisms to safeguard taxpayers’ money,” read the recommendations.

The findings were that the stand number 1782, which was sold to Shearwater Explorers Village, that formed the basis of Dube’s arrest, was virgin land and the issue of putting it on tender does not arise as it was not zoned for commercial purposes.

The commission said due processes were followed and application for land was considered by the management committee on 7 February 2018, with a full council on 1 November 2018 resolving that the 1 ha stand be allocated to Shearwater at a price that was to be determined by land evaluators.

The said land was only accessible through Shearwater Explorers Village since there was no road to make it available to other takers hence there is no current infringement to other neighbouring properties if the extent is made available to any other developer.

The council immediately convened a special full council that recommended Dube’s reinstatement.

In a statement addressed to Local Government Minister July Moyo and copied to Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo, Provincial Development Coordinator Mrs Sithandiwe Ncube and Deputy Mayor Cllr Patricia Mwale and Cllr Dlamini said Dube was reinstated with immediate effect.

“The special full council meeting held on 24 June 2021, resolved that following recommendation of the commission of inquiry it is clear that there is nothing that implicates you to the alleged offences. You are therefore reinstated with full pay and benefits with immediate effect,” said Cllr Dlamini.

Source: Victoria Falls town clerk reinstated (26/06/2021)

READ MORE:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (13th October 2025) Furore over Victoria Falls housing stands recall.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd August 2025) Vic Falls residents push for clarity in Town Clerk corruption probe.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10th July 2025) Victoria Falls Residents Consortium slams opposition-led council over alleged corruption, poor service delivery 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th March 2025) Minister defends Vic Falls Town Clerk, accuses residents’ groups of politics.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (8th December 2024) Government reverses 'unprocedural suspension' of Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th December 2024) Public funds being wasted investigating lies, says suspended Vic Falls Town Clerk.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th December 2024) Corruption and abuse of office - Victoria Falls Town Clerk and 2024 CEO of the year suspended.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (4th December 2024) Multi-million-dollar scandal rocks Victoria Falls council.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th June 2024) Pushback as Victoria Falls council boss clings to power.

See Also:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd January 2024) Victoria Falls former Mayor Somveli Dhlamini loses appeal against conviction, sentence.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th January 2023) Victoria Falls council probe team completes investigations 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th October 2022) Victoria Falls Town Clerk Refuses To Resign Over Corruption Allegations. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (7th October 2022) Land scam: Vic Falls Mayor Dhlamini arrested. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (11th June 2022) Stands corruption storm in Victoria Falls 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (27th June 2021) Victoria Falls town clerk reinstated.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (26th June 2021) Vic Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube reinstated 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (20th June 2021) Suspended town clerk gets windfall.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th May 2021) Victoria Falls Councillors Accuse Minister July Moyo Of Meddling.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th April 2021) Town Clerk Dube suspended.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th May 2020) Minister Moyo Settles MDC Factions’ Victoria Falls Mayoral Dispute. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (29th February 2020) MDC expels Victoria Falls mayor for defying party directive. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10th February 2020) Victoria Falls mayor arrested.

Vic Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube reinstated

Suspended Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube has bounced back after a five-member commission of inquiry set up to investigate the merits of his allegations cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Dube was arrested and charged with criminal abuse of office as a public officer for allegedly misleading the council in awarding a stand to a tour operator.

He stands accused of influencing the awarding of a commercial stand to tourism operator, Shearwater in violation of tender procedures by misleading councillors. It is alleged that sometime on 8 September 2017 Dube received a request to purchase additional land behind stands 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386 and 943 from Ntokozo Mlilo, group human resources manager for Shearwater Adventures.

He was granted a $50 000 bail.

His suspension was briefly lifted by the Victoria Falls councillors before Local Government minister July Moyo verbally suspended him on May 14.

The commission comprising of former Victoria Falls mayor Nkosilathi Jiyane, ex-councillors Vusumuzi Moyo and Million Moyo, Hwange Rural District Council chief executive Phindile Ncube and lawyer Elvis Mashindi, was set up to investigate the charges levelled against Dube.

On Thursday, the commission presented its findings to the council.

“Victoria Falls City Council Town Clerk Ronnie Dube has bounced back at the helm after being cleared of wrongdoing by a commission of inquiry, in a Special Full Council meeting held today 24 June 2021,” the local authority said in a statement. 

“This comes after a litany of unfounded allegations were drawn against the seasoned leader, whose Local Governance experience spans from 1992 to date.

“Council set up a five member-commission of inquiry to look into the allegations of misconduct leveled against the Town Clerk which made up of, the former Mayor and Alderman, former Councillors, a sitting Chief Executive Officer of a Local Authority, and a lawyer.

“Following a week of investigations and deliberations on the issues brought before 

them, the commission recommended that Dube be cleared of all the charges since there was a paper trail of things being done above board.”

Victoria Falls Mayor, Somvelo Dhlamini has reportedly written a letter to Dube advising him of his reinstatement. 

Dube could not be reached for a comment. 

Source: Vic Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube reinstated (25th June 2021)

READ MORE:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (13th October 2025) Furore over Victoria Falls housing stands recall.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd August 2025) Vic Falls residents push for clarity in Town Clerk corruption probe.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10th July 2025) Victoria Falls Residents Consortium slams opposition-led council over alleged corruption, poor service delivery 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th March 2025) Minister defends Vic Falls Town Clerk, accuses residents’ groups of politics.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (8th December 2024) Government reverses 'unprocedural suspension' of Victoria Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (6th December 2024) Public funds being wasted investigating lies, says suspended Vic Falls Town Clerk.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th December 2024) Corruption and abuse of office - Victoria Falls Town Clerk and 2024 CEO of the year suspended.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (4th December 2024) Multi-million-dollar scandal rocks Victoria Falls council.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th June 2024) Pushback as Victoria Falls council boss clings to power.

See Also:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd January 2024) Victoria Falls former Mayor Somveli Dhlamini loses appeal against conviction, sentence.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (5th January 2023) Victoria Falls council probe team completes investigations 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th October 2022) Victoria Falls Town Clerk Refuses To Resign Over Corruption Allegations. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (7th October 2022) Land scam: Vic Falls Mayor Dhlamini arrested. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (11th June 2022) Stands corruption storm in Victoria Falls 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (27th June 2021) Victoria Falls town clerk reinstated.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (26th June 2021) Vic Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube reinstated 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (20th June 2021) Suspended town clerk gets windfall.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th May 2021) Victoria Falls Councillors Accuse Minister July Moyo Of Meddling.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th April 2021) Town Clerk Dube suspended.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th May 2020) Minister Moyo Settles MDC Factions’ Victoria Falls Mayoral Dispute. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (29th February 2020) MDC expels Victoria Falls mayor for defying party directive. 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (10th February 2020) Victoria Falls mayor arrested.

Suspended town clerk gets windfall

 VICTORIA Falls city fathers have resolved to pay suspended town clerk Ronnie Dube $200 000 in allowances, about $80 000 more than his basic salary,  it has been established.

Dube was suspended on April 28 by mayor Somveli Dlamini on charges of gross incompetence, corruption, abuse of office and causing the local authority to lose revenue.

He was suspended without pay and other benefits pending investigations into charges against him.

Dlamini cited Section 139 (3) (a) of the Urban Council Act in denying Dube any salary and benefits as stated in the contract

Councillors, however, revoked his suspension arguing the mayor acted unilaterally, but Local Government minister July Moyo in a follow-up memo dated May 14 confirmed the suspension.

Moyo’s communication followed Dube’s arrest and subsequent release on $50 000 bail on criminal of abuse of office charges.

The local authority is yet to investigate Dube on the slew of charges he faces, according to the latest minutes of a full council meeting where city fathers deliberated on setting up a commission of inquiry.

According to the report of the full council meeting held on June 1 spilling over to the next day, Victoria Falls city fathers also resolved to pay Dube $200 000 in allowances whilst on suspension.

“The human resources official (HRO) advised the meeting that since council suspended the town clerk in terms of the Urban Council’s Act wherein there is no provision for the payment of a salary and benefits, but an allowance that council should fix, it would be a better option to proceed using the Urban Council’s Act,” the report reads in part.

The suspension of Dube, a former Tsholotsho Rural District CEO, came a month after the local authority renewed his contract by another five years after receiving “praise for his work ethic.”

“For the sake of clarity, Section 139 subsection (5) stipulates that during the period of his suspension, he shall not be entitled to his salary or wages in respect of that period, but he may be paid such an allowance, not exceeding the amount of his salary or wages, as the council may fix,” the report adds.

“A member wanted to know the town clerk’s salary so they could fix his allowance.

“The HRO noted that the current basic salary is $115 337, 50 and the net is $226 319, 21.

“A member proposed that the town clerk be given a flat allowance of $200 000 subject to tax.

“The proposal was seconded. It was agreed that the town clerk’s suspension conditions be amended to allow suspension with a flat monthly allowance.”

Under Dube, Victoria Falls was granted a city status in December 2020 to become the first city in Matabeleland North and the second after Bulawayo in the whole southern region.

Dube served as Victoria Falls’ first chamber secretary between 2002 and 2005.

He joined the local authority on  December 2016 1replacing Christopher Dube, the current Bulawayo town clerk.

Dube, who also served as the Gwanda municipality chamber secretary, and left the Tsholotsho RDC under a cloud following reports of corruption that were levelled against him.

Source: Suspended town clerk gets windfall (20/06/2021)

Read More:

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (30th April 2021) Town Clerk Dube suspended.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (14th May 2021) Victoria Falls Councillors Accuse Minister July Moyo Of Meddling.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (20th June 2021) Suspended town clerk gets windfall.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (26th June 2021) Vic Falls Town Clerk Ronnie Dube reinstated 

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (27th June 2021) Victoria Falls townclerk reinstated.

ZimParks Sues Army Company US$142 000 Over Unpaid Use Chalets

 ZIMBABWE Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has taken to court a company operated by the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Rusununguko Nkululeko demanding US$142 530 for chalets leased to the latter in 2018.

ZimParks is also suing Landela Safaris for US$45 000 over a similar deal in which it leased View Point Site in Victoria Falls to the private company.

In summons filed separately by ZimParks at the High Court, the agreement between the national wildlife operator and Rusununguko was entered into in 2018.

In terms of the agreement, ZimParks granted a photographic lease agreement for chalets in the Zambezi National Park to the defendant.

The court application says in terms of the agreement, US$60 000 was for the right to lease the site and was payable in equal installments over the first five years of the lease starting in January 2018.

This was in addition to annual lease fees of US$35 000 payable from January 2018 to December 2021, and payable in advance before the first day of January each year.

It was also agreed all the amounts due each year were to attract interest at the rate of 12% per annum at the interbank market interest rates.

However, despite demand letters of demand from ZimParks, Rusununguko Nkululeko failed to pay the amount.

Meanwhile, regarding Landela Safaris, in 2018, the two parties entered into a written agreement in terms of which ZimParks granted the defendant the right to lease View Point Site in Victoria Falls for the purpose of photographic safari use.

“In terms of the agreement, Landela Safaris was bound to pay annual lease fees in the sum of US$45 000 starting from 2019, and payable or before the first of January each year.

All amounts due in each year were to attract interest at the rate of 12% with Value Added Tax (VAT) added to the above amounts due.

However, according to court papers, Landela Safaris failed to pay a total of US$154 800 to ZimParks as of January 2021.

“Wherefore the plaintiff claims judgment in the sum of US$154 800 payable in Zimbabwean dollars at the authorised prevailing rate of exchange in terms of the Exchange Control Act, holding over damages calculated at the rate of US$3 750 per month, interest on the capital sum of US$1 54 800 calculated at the rate of 12% per annum,” reads part of the lawsuit.

Both matters are yet to be heard.

Source: ZimParks Sues Army Company US$142 000 Over Unpaid Use Chalets (15/06/21)

See Also

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (16th June 2021) ZimParks Sues Army Company US$142 000 Over Unpaid Use Chalets.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (4th June 2021) Old Mutual to build four-star hotel in Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (18th June 2018) Parks authority revises stinky deal.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (24th January 2018) PRAZ cancels Zimparks, Adage lease.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (2nd April 2017) Massive corruption unearthed at National Parks.

 

 

Old Mutual to build four-star hotel in Victoria Falls

 Property giant, Old Mutual Zimbabwe, through its life assurance arm, Old Mutual Life Assurance Company Zimbabwe (OMLAC), is set to construct a four-star hotel in Victoria Falls city, a Government minister revealed on Tuesday.

The deal comes as Government is working on a feasibility study for the development of bulk infrastructure in the resort city.

Victoria Falls has been designated as a Special Economic Zone, and the feasibility study will inform the viability of the proposed economic activities and infrastructure needs.

To finance and undertake the feasibility study, which will be conducted in the Masuwe Area of the Victoria Falls Economic Zone, OMLAC reportedly agreed to meet the costs amounting to US$430 948,29.

Briefing the media during a post Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa  said in exchange for the funding, Government will allocate the corporate giant 55 hectares of land under lease.

Once OMLAC recovers the cost of the feasibility study (US$430 948,29) it will then have to pay rentals for the land, Minister Mutsvangwa pointed out.

Old Mutual, which is already one of the country’s biggest property owners, is reportedly planning to construct “a four-star hotel with a 5 000-seater conference centre, a hospital facility, a golf course, and a shopping mall”.

Interestingly the latest development comes as Old Mutual is also involved in the construction of the Palm River Hotel in Victoria Falls.

Spencers Creek Pvt Ltd in partnership with Old Mutual Zimbabwe invested approximately US$24,6 million in land and construction of the 71-room four-star hotel, which is expected to commence operations this July.

Meanwhile, in another development earmarked for the resort city, Government also approved a joint venture between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) and Zambezi Crescent (Pvt) Ltd.

The two entities are in partnership for the revamping and upgrading of all of ZimParks’ lodges at Zambezi Camp to an agreed market-related status at a total cost of US$3 009 000.

This amount will be contributed by Zambezi Crescent (Pvt) Ltd while ZimParks will provide exclusive rights to the use of the lodges at the camp and their surroundings.

The project will be implemented as a joint venture over 25 years with the parties sharing profits on a 50/50 basis, according to Minister Mutsvangwa.

She said the joint venture is set to significantly improve the performance of the Zambezi Camp Lodges which are strategically located along the banks of the Zambezi, but have been performing poorly over the years. 

Source: Old Mutual to build four-star hotel in Victoria Falls (03/06/21)

See Also

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (20th December 2025) Victoria Falls Set to See Tourism Growth as Zambezi Crescent Gains Full Control of Malachite Camp.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (18th June 2018) Parks authority revises stinky deal.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (24th January 2018) PRAZ cancels Zimparks, Adage lease.

Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (2nd April 2017) Massive corruption unearthed at National Parks.