THE Holy Cross Conference Centre and Tourism Resort project in Chirumanzu is progressing well, amid indications that the first phase of the project will be completed by the end of April this year.
The centre boasts of a conference centre, a bar, and 10 modern chalets earmarked for the initial phase among other critical features.
“We are excited by the progress of this critical project. We are happy that the team is enthusiastic. All the materials are now on site and we hope to open to the public by May this year,” said Holy Cross project supervisor, Mr Shepherd Hloma.
The community has begun to enjoy benefits from the project, with tertiary students also gaining skills and experience.
“The project has brought life to our community. I have since managed to construct a beautiful house to my name. I have also managed to buy some cattle through this project.
My children can now attend school after the payment of full school fees. We are enjoying as Chirumanzu community,” a community member noted.
Another added, “I used to be an assistant for builders in my community. Things have changed for the better ever since I started working here.
I can now do a lot of work from plumbing to building. I have learnt several skills and I can safely say my future is bright.”
“As a single mother, life was very tough as I had to fend for my family. I want to thank the government for this noble project where we are also engaged in demanding duties just like our male counterparts.”
The government has adopted deliberate efforts to grow the tourism industry across the country.
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi said, “After we constructed the Holly Cross Dam, we realised that there are some hanging fruits from the water body.
We want people to come from across the world and enjoy the fruits of our tourism products.
Our thrust is to ensure that we harness all the potential in the sector and expose it to the people.”
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is poised for massive growth after stakeholders came up with several packages that saw the industry contributing 12 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product last year.
Meanwhile, eight village business units have been established in Hurungwe by the government in partnership with 4-H Zimbabwe, to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Rural communities in Magunje, Hurungwe district, are reaping the benefits of climate-proof farming methods, which have been implemented to counter the negative impacts of climate change.
A recent climate change awareness workshop held at Magunje Vocational Training Center focused on localised environmental conservation techniques.
“We are grateful for the workshop because it has opened our minds to how best we can mitigate the impact of climate change, particularly adaptation of climate-proof agriculture and planting of trees,” farmer Mrs Violet Mubirimi said.
“Pfumvudza is a game changer for our community. We have now embraced the farming concept and it is working perfectly for us. Our appeal is for mechanisation of Pfumvudza so that we dig holes which are deep enough to hold enough moisture when it rains,” another farmer Mrs Doris Makiyi said.
“As tobacco farmers, we are aware of the dangers we pose to our environment when we cut down trees to cure the crop so we appreciate what the government is doing through the provision of trees for reforestation,” Mrs Tomaza Chikumba said.
Implementing partner 4-H Zimbabwe director Mr John Muchenje revealed that his organisation has so far established eight village business units in Hurungwe highlighting the need to capacitate local communities, particularly women, to implement localized climate resilience measures.
“As 4-H Zimbabwe, we set up eight solarised village business units which are empowering more than 400 women. We realise that women are at the receiving end as far as climate change is concerned.
This workshop therefore is meant to capacitate local communities particularly women to make use of localised mitigation measures such as Pfumvudza, planting trees among other initiatives.”
Hurungwe District Agritex officer Mr Andrew Mafuzhe spoke on the importance of collaboration in mitigating climate change effects.
“Conservation of the environment should be a collective effort where everyone should play a part.
As the government we are prioritising the adaption of safe climate-proof farming methods and those efforts are being complemented by organisations like 4_H Zimbabwe who are teaching our farmers the same.”
