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Writes Wallace Mawire
A small group of innovative youths under the age of 35, led by Rumbidzo Mawoyo and Hillary Mandaba, in partnership with Kukura Business Accelerator (KBA), have launched the Kwedu Township Tourism initiative in Dzivarasekwa Township of Harare in Zimbabwe in a bid to promote tourism in and empower local communities in the country.
Tourism is a vital and growing sector in Zimbabwe, contributing significantly to the country’s economy and job creation.
Kwedu Township Tourism as it achieves its objectives, according to Rumbidzo Mawoyo, one of the Founders, is committed to showcasing the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of Dzivarasekwa Township, providing a unique and immersive experience for local and foreign visitors.
According to Mawoyo, the tourism initiative package offers a range of activities which include guided township tours, traditional cuisine, local crafts and art workshops, community engagement, and cultural exchange including visitors to experience the greening and income-generating initiatives being undertaken in the Dzivarasekwa community.
She said that the benefits of township tourism to the community are numerous and include job creation and economic empowerment for local youth, preservation, and promotion of cultural heritage, improved infrastructure and community facilities, and increased exposure and recognition for local businesses and artisans.
Mawoyo said that Kwedu Township Tourism is grateful for the support and partnership of organizations such as the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), the Government of Zimbabwe, Dzikwa Trust in Dzivarasekwa, Heritage Expeditions Africa, KBA which is providing SME business support and the Dzivarasekwa community, who are the backbone of the initiative.
“We are thrilled to launch Kwedu Township Tourism and share the history, beauty, and warmth of Dzivarasekwa with the world,” Mawoyo, the initiative Head said.
“We believe in the power of tourism to transform lives and communities, and we are committed to making a positive impact,” she added.
According to Edward Meda, the CEO, Kukura Business Accelerator is a Zimbabwe business incubator, assisting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through the difficult start-up and growth phase by providing entrepreneurs with an array of targeted resources and services to help grow their businesses.
He said that KBA has a proven track record of accelerating the growth processes of many start-ups.
He added that in Africa, the major employer and revenue generator is the SME sector, yet the sector tends to lack institutional support and it is for this reason that KBA was set up, to support the sector in various ways.