Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
ZIMBABWEANS in the diaspora are responding to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call to invest back home, with rural tourism emerging as one of the country’s low-hanging investment opportunities.
The clarion call by President Mnangagwa for Zimbabweans in the diaspora to invest back home is yielding positive results, with United Kingdom-based Dr Debra Kavande’s vision taking shape in the form of Shavanhowe Lodge in Murehwa, which has a conference centre capable of hosting up to 600 people at a time.
Inspired by the untapped natural beauty of her rural home, characterised by scenic mountains and streams often overlooked by development, Dr Kavande turned her idea into a tangible investment.
“I am based in the United Kingdom, but this is my rural home. I was inspired by the President’s mantra, ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’. I believe in rural tourism because many areas are looked down upon due to a lack of investment. Yet there are scenic mountains here, and the area is known as Shavanhowe after a beautiful stream. I felt this place needed to be known,” Dr Kavande noted.
She said the investment was aimed at contributing to the development of Murehwa through tourism and related business activities.
“Murehwa must be developed by its own people, and there is a need for more investment to develop our district. We now have accommodation rooms, a conference centre that can host 600 people, a butchery and organic food outlets,” she added.
The impact of the investment has been immediate, with employment and business opportunities created for the local community.
“I am a contractor, and I was given work to construct this place. These investments are creating employment opportunities here,” a community member said.
“I am a visual artist, and I created a lot of artworks here. Conference venues and venues for parties were very far, but this facility has brought services closer to the people,” another added.
The local leadership is convinced that such investments have a huge impact on rural development.
“As junior councillors, we were going far for induction. The investment has created employment,” Murehwa ward 6 Junior Councillor, Anotidaishe Mudawose noted.
“We are happy with this development in our district as we call for other local investors to invest in rural areas. As Murehwa RDC, we have a blueprint by President Mnangagwa on the call to action. This is the action by Zimbabweans in diaspora to develop our district in line with Vision 2030,” Vice Chairperson for Murehwa Rural District Council, Councilor Happymore Kashanga added.
Murehwa West Legislator, Honourable Farai Jere, said the project reflected President Mnangagwa’s vision as outlined in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“What is happening here is in line with the President’s vision in his SONA. The President spoke about the contributions that are being made to this country by the diaspora community. This is one such investment and this is in rural areas. The investment speaks to rural tourism, which is bringing social amenities to rural areas. This is going to attract people from everywhere thereby bringing business here. We are now seeing individuals coming to invest back home to improve the lives on where they come from.”
In his State of the Nation Address, President Mnangagwa emphasised the importance of promoting both rural development and the need for all Zimbabweans, including the diaspora community, to take an active role towards the development of their country.
