Chimanimani ruins project set to unlock new tourism opportunities

BY ERNEST JUNIOR GUDZA

The official handover of an ancient ruins site at Nhuka Farm in Chimanimani to Mukudya Theatre Dance Group is expected to promote heritage preservation, traditional performances and community-based tourism.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 31, 2026, and was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the Chimanimani Tourism Association, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and other key stakeholders.

The site, which features ancient ruins, is within walking distance of the surrounding community. Chief Chikukwa presided over traditional rites during the ceremony, marking the formal entrustment of the site to the dance group as custodians of the ancestral heritage.

The occasion demonstrated a shared commitment among traditional leaders, government representatives, tourism stakeholders and the local community to promote cultural heritage preservation and advance Chimanimani’s tourism development.

For Mukudya Theatre Dance Group, the responsibility extends beyond staging performances. It presents an opportunity to use traditional dance and theatre as tools for transmitting cultural knowledge, strengthening community identity and creating platforms through which younger generations can connect with their heritage.

Chief Chikukwa said the initiative was also expected to create economic opportunities for local communities, particularly through tourism-related activities.

He noted that local guides could benefit from opportunities to lead visitors on guided excursions to the hilltop ruins, sharing the site’s history, traditional beliefs and cultural significance.

He added that traditional craft producers would have opportunities to showcase and sell locally made products, while food vendors could provide visitors with traditional dishes and refreshments.

The initiative is also expected to benefit local accommodation providers through increased visitor numbers, creating a wider economic impact for communities surrounding the heritage site.