MASHONALAND West Provincial Affairs minister Faber Chidarikire has challenged relevant government departments to urgently consider declaring the 1966 “Battle of Chinhoyi” site a tourist attraction.
BY JAMES MUONWA
The famous battle, which left the seven-member group of first guerilla fighters dead after a day-long gun exchange with the colonial regime’s army, marked the beginning of the Second Chimurenga that ushered independence in 1980.
Officially launching the province’s cultural tourism project last week, Chidarikire said the site of the gun-battle had huge potential to become a major tourist attraction worth listing on the coveted United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (Unesco) World Heritage Sites.
“We felt we could use history and culture to attract tourists to our province. In this regard, a committee was set up from my office led by the provincial administrator. All districts were involved and participated in establishing cultural tourism projects. I am delighted there are many cultural heritage sites that have now been recorded as a result of this programme.
“I, therefore, call upon institutions such as Chinhoyi University of Technology to take a leading role in researching and documenting the seven heroes and the Battle of Chinhoyi. The site of the battle has the potential to become a tourist attraction centre,” he said.
Keep Reading
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
The site of the historic fight lies on a swath of land between the new Chinhoyi District Hospital and the Provincial Heroes Acre.
The minister underscored the need to vigorously market the province’s various cultural tourism sites such as the rock paintings in the Zvimba and Chirau areas, as well as the Mawindo Falls in Hurungwe.
Chidarikire further challenged the Ministry of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage to ensure Chinhoyi Caves are marketed internationally so that they regain their lost pride of being on the Unesco World Heritage Sites list.
The mystic Chinhoyi Caves were recently delisted from the Unesco list of major world tourism spots and have, resultantly, witnessed a phenomenal drop in visitors.
Chidarikire said the steering committee should draft a programme of events such as annual dance festivals and art exhibitions to promote tourism.