PICTURE: Mozambique and Zimbabwe share cultural heritage like Chokoto dance (pictured)
MOZAMBIQUE is a south east African country that is blessed rich natural resources. Its eastern border is made up of the Indian Ocean enabling the countries to have two major harbours at Maputo and at Beira.
Zimbabwe is to the west of Mozambique. The political history of Zimbabwe is incomplete without the mentioning of Mozambique. During Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle which reached its peak in the late 1970s, the eastern friend opened its doors to liberation fighters from Zimbabwe to receive military training in that land. Camps like Chimoio, Chibawawa, Tembwe, Takawira and Doroi come to mind.
After attaining independence, Zimbabwe made a trade pact with Mozambique. Zimbabwe utilises what is called the Beira Corridor where local traders import and export products using Beira harbour. In 2014, the trade pact saw Zimbabwe netting $725 million from Mozambique exports.
What makes Mozambique a tourism ally?
Zimbabwe and Mozambique are strategically positioned to share natural resources and cultural heritage.
Natural resources
The two countries are partners in a peace park project dubbed The Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Park which amalgamates major conservation areas found on the borders of three neighbouring southern African countries. These are Kruger National Park, Limpopo National Park and Gonarezhou National Park of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe respectively.
Animals of the three joined parks are allowed to roam freely from one park to another. The other benefit of the peace parks is that enables a tourist who initially visits one park to consider visit additional park during the same tour. A tourist to Kruger may end up visiting either Limpopo or Gonarezhou or both.
Apart from 19 485 sq km Limpopo conservancy, Mozambique has two other national parks considered under the peace parks project. These are the 6 000 sq km Banhine National Park in Gaza province and the 4 000sq km Zinave National Park situated along the Save River in Inhambane province. Although not under Great Limpopo project, Mozambique has its own 640 sq km Chimanimani National Park situated in Manica province.
Mozambique is receiving fewer tourists as compared to Zimbabwe due to the political unrest in that country.
Cultural heritage
History has it that before the introduction of current political borders, the Ndau and Tsonga (also known as Shangaan) people in Zimbabwe and Mozambique were one people. Due to the political borders, Manica province of Mozambique ended up bordering Manicaland province of Zimbabwe.
In the 1820s, a kingdom named Gaza existed which the Tsonga and Ndau people made up the majority of the population. Present day borders saw the Gaza kingdom split into southern Mozambique’s Gaza province and some parts of Masvingo and Manicaland provinces of Zimbabwe.
Gaza province has towns such as Xai-Xai, Chokwe and Chibuto while Masvingo has Chiredzi town as Manicaland has Chipinge town. This explains why Chipinge town’s high density suburb is called Gaza Township and Chiredzi’s rural district council is called Gaza Khomanani.
Since the peace parks project has a provision of community development trusts in communities around the parks, Tsonga and Ndau communities around Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Park are expected to develop tourism businesses in their areas.
The Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair held in Chiredzi is one such community development trust that strengthens the friendship between our country and Mozambique. Since its inception in 2013, Mozambique has been participating in the cultural trade fair.
This year’s edition of Great Limpopo Cultural Trade Fair which shall be held from July 28 to 31 at Mhlanguleni Business Centre about 110km south of Chiredzi. Mozambique shall send a high powered delegation.
Joachim Chissano Foundation is bringing two municipality mayors for the trade fair. One of the mayors is from Chokwe town. Two musicians are accompanying the mayors. One of the musicians is Mr Bow, whom the government signed as an ambassador for anti-poaching in the country. Chokwe town shall send in traditional dance groups as well.
Mozambique is our tourism ally forever.