via Zim tourism theme park plans criticised | SW Radio Africa By Alex Bell
Zimbabwe is facing criticism for planning to build a multi-million dollar theme park in Victoria Falls, with the plans being dismissed as ‘inappropriate’ and ‘bizarre’.
ZANU PF’s Walter Mzembi, who was the Tourism Minister in the last government and whose future role is yet to be determined, announced the plans for ‘Disneyland in Africa’ this week. He was speaking on the sidelines of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly taking place in Victoria Falls.
Mzembi said the theme park development, planned to be built across 1,200 hectares of land, would house shopping malls, banking and exhibition facilities, and other entertainment services such as casinos. He said the estimated cost stands at about $300 million.
“We need a bit of development. In the distant environs we must see ultra-modernity emerging which can attract the youthful market into this destination. Current visitors are very elderly couples as the youth are a bit bored,” Mzembi was quoted as saying by the state media.
Political analyst Clifford Mashiri called the plans “bizarre,” telling SW Radio Africa on Wednesday that the country has more pressing issues that should be addressed. This includes providing countrywide access to basic amenities like water and electricity, which remain out of reach for most of the population.
“People have no basic requirements in the cities and the rural areas. For some reason Mugabe wants to divert attention from these issues and try to appear like he has made a 21st century country by having a theme park. It’s rather crazy, it’s not wise and it’s not necessary and it’s just to divert attention,” Mashiri said.
At the same time, tourism experts have said the plans are inappropriate. The UK Telegraph newspaper quoted Chris McIntyre of Expert Africa, a specialist tour operator, as saying: “People go to Zimbabwe because it actually offers something that is authentically African.”
“They are not going to want to go there for a Mickey Mouse experience. It would be completely inappropriate,” McIntyre reportedly said.
Lisa Grainger, an Africa travel specialist was also quoted by the Telegraphy as calling the plans “crazy”.
“It would be like building a casino beside the pyramids. The reason people visit the falls is because it’s unspoilt and natural; it’s a glorious part of the Earth. Not because they want to buy candy-floss and be immersed in an American-style theme park,” Grainger told the newspaper.
In the meantime, the state media has been at pains to justify why ZANU PF individuals are illegally representing themselves as government ministers at the UNWTO conference.
There is still no functioning government in Zimbabwe, with plans to swear in a new Cabinet and a new house of MPs being put on hold.
This means all the officials at the conference are technically misrepresenting themselves, including the former Tourism Minister Mzembi.
The ZANU PF mouthpiece newspaper the Herald has since sought legal justification of this, quoting experts who said that: “Technically, his term has expired, but practically there is need for continuity without any break.”
COMMENTS
When has Mugabe or ZANU-PF ever been practical? They go out of their way to screw things up.
Although, I will say that Mzembi – as someone who’s ex-portfolio was dependent on getting the co-operation of foreigners to enrich ZImbabwe – was the only one of the whole bunch who seemed at all intelligent and able to “get it.”
If Mzembi is indeed intelligent, DL, then he has a strange way of showing it. An African tourism minister seemingly unaware why foreign tourists come to Africa in the first place.
People will fly across the globe to go to a place where animals roam in the wild, in their natural habitat, running away from those that are found in the zoos of their own countries.
Domestic tourism is virtually dead in a country with a pathetic per capita income below $500. Africans would be the ones who may want to visit theme parks.
Can you imagine a theme park in a country with no running water even in its cities?
Yeah thats right zimbabwe. ..get the young money..why do west countries fear africans from around the world coming to zimbabwe. …the prowling animals will still have their veiwers..the waterfall will still flow..as a black american id rather go there then europe or las vegas…the top black entertainers alone with casinos and fun rides in a black atmosphere. ..wow..
Its quite clear that the zanu pf government has failed the people of Zimbabwe. What benefit does this theme park bring to an ordinary Zimbabwean? It is a pity that an ordinary Zimbabwean is suffering at the expense of a few greed , corrupt ,unfocused zanu pf government ministers.
I do not know whether this theme park will supply the much needed water to the Bulawayo residents. A focused minister or government was going to put this money towards the Zambezi – Bulawayo pipeline project.
Its quite clear you rig the elections, no ordinary Zimbabwean can vote for such failures for the past 33 years except if they are assisted by their chiefs to vote.