PICTURE: Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair gives business to the arts and culture industry. INSERT: VP Phelekezela Mphoko (left) having a feel of Tsonga culture at the previous edition of the culture trade fair.
ZIMBABWE is one of the countries in Africa which has a rich natural resources base. Its biggest national games parks boast of the big five game animals. The country’s second largest national park, Gonarezhou situated in the south east region of Zimbabwe has made international headlines since its incorporation into one of the most talked 35 000 square km peace parks project dubbed the Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Park. The project amalgamates our own Gonarezhou, Limpopo National Park of Mozambique and Kruger National Park of South Africa.
Does Great Limpopo or any other trans-frontier tourism benefit the economy of Zimbabwe?
At the turn of the millennium, negative media hype had seen Zimbabwe attaining a tainted image internationally. International businessmen avoided investing in the country. As a result, in 2008, the economy of Zimbabwe headed for a nose dive.
The country needed strategies to see it breathe life into it again. Of the key pillars that would revive the economy, tourism was in the top six.
In 2014, tourism, directly and indirectly, contributed US$1,44 billion which is 10.4% of the Gross Domestic Product. It also generated 181,000 jobs directly which is 3.1% of total employment and is expected to grow by 15% by the year 2020.
A 444,000 square km trans-frontier park named Kavango-Zambezi (also known as KAZA) which merges the conservation area of Okavango and Zambezi basin in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Angola and Botswana and is tipped to be the world’s largest trans-frontier conservation area when complete has made meaningful contribution to the economy.
KAZA has resources like one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the mighty Victoria Falls where photographic tourism has contributed immensely to the economy. Victoria fall’s opulent hotels which match world standards have seen the country in 2013 hosting world events like 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation. UN delegates had a chance to experience our culture and the arts and crafts industry benefitted a lot.
Also, lake cruises in Kariba Dam has kept the KAZA region active and contributing meaningfully to our economy.
Zimbabwe is facing a stiff ban on trophy hunting. Green groups campaign that the camera lens should be used to shoot animals than the bullets. Tourists on sport hunting missions have dropped. But the most interesting thing that is happening is that despite the negative image Zimbabwe has been painted, cultural and religious tourists keep pouring into the country.
The Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair, being a regional event is contributing to making it happen. Delegates from South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique are coming for the event. Zimbabwe Tourism Authority has considered the cultural trade fair as one of its national events.
During the regional cultural trade fair, Chiredzi sees an influx of tourists waking the sleepy town as they pour to experience the Tsonga culture.
As we go to print, 60 South African delegates have confirmed their participation in this year’s edition of the Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair. Mozambique and Swaziland are still to confirm their delegates. Malawi has been engaged to start participating in the next edition.
The Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair is unique in the sense that it is promoting both rural tourism and women empowerment. It is difficult for rural women to start big tourism businesses in urban setup. The concept of rural tourism gives them an opportunity to trade in the arts and craft industry in their own environment.
The advantage of rural tourism to the economy is that money earned by the community based projects is ploughed back in the same communities. There is no chance of externalisation by community businesses. Since a woman is a hinge of a family, developing a woman means developing the whole family.
Starting this year, Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair shall be held at Mhlanguleni business Centre about 110km south of Chiredzi town where Centre for Cultural Development Initiative has constructed a Tsonga cultural village. Tsonga people are also known as Shangaans in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Mhlanguleni Business Centre is bordering Gonarezhou National Park. Its proximity to Gonarezhou gives the park an opportunity to host delegates at Simuwini Rest Camp in Mabalauta region of the park. Also, rural villagers have a chance to co-host the delegates. Culture drives tourism and the economy of Zimbabwe. Do our own people really understand the importance of culture? The forthcoming article shall discuss that question.