Facelift for Zanla war shrines

THE Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry intends to spruce up several liberation war historical sites within and beyond the country’s borders.

Addressing more than 1 000 students from different tertiary institutions across Zimbabwe who visited Chimoio shrines in Mozambique on Independence Day, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Cde Prisca Mupfumira (pictured right) said the makeover of the historical sites will not only boost tourist visits, but will be able to bring the shrines to expected standards.

“We are joining hands with other key stakeholders from line ministries like the Department of National Museums and Monuments in the resuscitation of several historical sites within and beyond the country’s borders.

“We have a number of them, just like here at Chimoio, where there is a rich history of our liberation struggle. The resuscitation of this place also educates the youths on the supreme sacrifice that fallen heroes paid for the country’s independence to be attained,” said Min ister Mupfumira.

“The process of resuscitating them is already underway. In fact, there is an inter-departmental committee in place already, which is made up of officials from diverse professional backgrounds to spearhead the initiative. This is not about an individual ministry but a collective effort for the national product. We are also looking at other sites here in Mozambique apart from Chimoio. Some are even in Tanzania and Zambia,” she said.

The visit to Chimoio by tertiary students was part of the Independence Day commemorations held across the country on Wednesday.

The Chimoio shrines are the resting place of more than 1 000 cadres who were buried in mass graves following the massacre by Rhodesian security forces on November 23, 1977 at the height of the liberation struggle.

In a separate interview, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) spokesperson Mr Godfrey Koti said the drive to resuscitate liberation war historical sites was in line with the authority’s thrust to promote domestic tourism.

“As an authority, we are quite excited that Government has seen the need to resuscitate the liberation war historical sites to meet international tourism destination standards.

“This will go a long way in promoting domestic tourism, as this history has a direct bearing on the lives of Zimbabweans. Therefore, the promotion of domestic tourism is what we applaud and support in any way we can as an authority,” said Mr Koti.