Kariba’s promotional video launched

A video promoting and marketing tourist attractions in Kariba has been launched, as stakeholders seek to reposition the town on the main menu of the country’s tourism sector.

The video highlights Kariba’s natural and man-made attractions, rich cultural heritage and pristine wildlife.

Stakeholders, including the Kariba Publicity Association (KPA), came together to produce the video, which is a huge statement of intent to make Kariba great again.

This comes as the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) is working to come up with a clear marketing strategy for the destination working with all stakeholders in Kariba.

The revival strategy was put in motion with events such as the Nyaminyami Festival being hosted last year, while efforts are underway to promote the Tiger Fish Tournament as an annual signature event for the destination.

Kariba has seen a drastic reduction

TWO Zimbabwean women have been arrested in South Africa for illegally possessing mining explosives, emulsion blasting cartridges and case fuses with an estimated street value of over R1,2 million.

The explosives in question had been smuggled into South Africa through illegal points.

The Limpopo Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team arrested two women, aged 27 and 41, for unlawful possession of explosives in Thohoyandou on February 12, 2020.

“The team received a tip-off about two women from Zimbabwe who were in possession of explosives destined for Gauteng. The two people matching the description of the suspects were spotted in one of the lodges in Thohoyandou and their movements were constantly monitored,” said South Africa Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson Captain in the number of visitors, resulting in hotels operating at 44 percent from a peak of around 59 percent in 1999.

The decline in the occupancy rate was also accompanied by a marked decline in the available accommodation since 1999 as some hotels and lodges closed. Hotels such as Breezes and Lake View have closed due to varying reasons.

In her address at the launch of the video in Kariba recently, KPA chairperson Mrs Maltian Mistry said stakeholders in Kariba had exhibited a shared desire to revive tourism in the resort town.

“The project would not have been possible without the contribution that came from various stakeholders in Kariba,” she said.

“The efforts brought together reflect the unity among all of us in making Kariba great again.

“The launch takes place at a time when the state of tourism has deteriorated in our resort town of Kariba and need everyone’s effort in reviving the town. It is, therefore, my fervent hope

Matimba Maluleke.

“The suspects were arrested as they were about to board a bus to Gauteng.”

The illegal explosives were then recovered from them.

The women, who had allegedly entered South Africa illegally, are set to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court soon.

They will face charges of unlawful possession of explosives and contravention of the Immigration Act.

This is not the first time that Zimbabweans have been arrested in South Africa while in possession of explosives.

In November last year, a 34-yearold man from Bulawayo was arrested by the South African police at the Beitbridge Border Post for attempting to smuggle mining explosives into that country.

The explosives were concealed in four 20-litre plastic containers carried on a trailer of a car.

South African police in April last that the launch will position Kariba as a destination of first choice to both domestic and international tourists.”

Mrs Mistry said various initiatives were being pursued to position Kariba as the “Ultimate Tourist Destination”.

She said priority areas had been identified to assist in the development and recovery of tourism which used to employ a significant number of people at its peak in 1999.

“To help us achieve this vision, a number of initiatives, including tourism product development, investment promotion and hosting of mega events are expected to be part of priorities in our organisations,” said Mrs Mistry.

Kariba has been described as Zimbabwe’s best kept secret, with effort to leverage on the success of Victoria Falls.

Various locations in Kariba including houseboats, hotels, lodges and abundant wildlife are featured in the destination promotion video.

ZTA acting chief executive Mr Givemore Chidzidzi expressed concern at the slow pace of recovery of tourism in Kariba compared to other destinations. year, arrested a 38-year-old woman at Beitbridge Border Post, who was smuggling an assortment of explosives worth thousands of rands into the neighbouring country.

She was travelling from Zimbabwe to South Africa.

In June last year, the Zimbabwe Republic Police intercepted a bus along the Harare-Beitbridge Highway and recovered more than 750 explosives worth $5 800 believed to have been on the way to South Africa.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was quoted saying police officers at a roadblock along the Harare–Beitbridge Highway, stopped a bus on June 7, 2019 at around 2am, which was travelling from Harare to Beitbridge, at the 209km peg.

Routine searches conducted led to the recovery of 660 super 90 Jelly tubes (Explogels), 100 capped fuses and 2 rolls igniting cables weighing 15kg.