Tourism and Environment

Droughts or storms? The dire dilemma of Zimbabwe climate migrants

Published

5 years ago

September 17, 2021

BY ANDREW MAMBONDIYANI

A decade ago, Lloyd Gweshengwe migrated to Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands, lured by the region’s abundant rainfall, fertile soils and good grazing land for his livestock.

In the low-lying, parched areas of Gutaurare area in Manicaland province, where Gweshengwe used to live, rain-fed agriculture was longer sustainable.

Recurring droughts would frequently wiped out crops, while clean water sources would dry up.

At first, Gweshengwe was happy with his new life in the Eastern Highlands, where a more prolonged rainy season compared with other parts of the country favours various agricultural activities, including livestock farming and growing orchard and plantation crops.

“I had very good maize harvests here in the past years,” said Gweshengwe, a widowed father of two.

“I have been able to feed my family and sell the surplus food,” added the 38-year-old, one of the more than 20,000 people attracted to the rich highlands from other drier parts of the country during the past decade due to the effects of climate change.

But the dreams of a better life have been slowly turning into another nightmare for Gweshengwe and the other migrant farmers in the region amid increasingly frequent tropical storms and cyclones.

In 2019, Cyclone Idai pummelled the Eastern Highlands, killing more than 300 people, leaving thousands homeless and a trail of destruction.

Tropical Storm Chalane and Cyclone Eloise hit parts of the area in 2020 and 2021 respectively, also causing damage.

“Life here has been good but we are now experiencing cyclones and severe storms each rainy season,” said Gweshengwe.

“We’re losing our homes. We don’t know what is happening; we don’t know what to do.”

Gweshengwe’s homestead in the Buwesunike area is perched on the steep slopes of a mountain overlooking a deep valley and a perennial river.

His small, asbestos-roofed house and a grass-thatched hut stand precariously on the edges of the mountain, exposed to floods, mudslides and landslides.

Thousands of such crudely built dwellings dot parts of the steep sides of the Eastern Highlands, which stretch for about 320km along Zimbabwe’s eastern border with Mozambique.

With the next rainy season approaching in November, Gweshengwe frets about the possibility of severe weather.

“We don’t know what the new season holds but the future does not look good for us,” he said.

Gweshengwe’s fears were shared by Simon Chanakira, who also moved to the Eastern Highlands from Chitora, a drier area to the west.

“We’ve yet to recover from the 2019 Cyclone Idai but there are chances of more cyclones in the coming rainy seasons,” said Chanakira, a 39-year-old father of two, adding that the storms have left huge gullies in the area which have affected their small farms.

“Farming area is increasingly becoming smaller in our area. But I cannot return to my place of origin,” he added.

“We hope that the government could assist us by repairing our roads which were damaged by the cyclone.”

While the Zimbabwean government has repaired major roads in some storm-affected areas and assisted those considered “legal settlers”, including by building new houses, it has long maintained that the migrants are “illegal settlers” occupying state land.

On many occasions, senior government officials have threatened to evict them from their new settlements, but no action has been taken yet.

According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the lack of an accepted definition of an environmental refugee means that, unless people are relocated by extreme weather events, their displacement does not trigger any access to financial grants, food aid, tools, shelter, schools or clinics.

Charity Migwi, Africa regional campaigner for 350Africa.org, said storms in 2019 afected more than two million people in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, some of whom had to migrate to different regions.

“Yet, the two countries continue with fossil fuel exploration pursuits; coal mining in Zimbabwe and liquid natural gas exploration in Mozambique,” said Migwi.

Migwi noted that migration creates hostile living conditions among communities as they fight for limited resources available to make ends meet and called on governments, public development banks and other stakeholders to help communities to build resilience and adapt easily to the realities of climate change.

“This process may involve projects such as harvesting rainwater to enable irrigation during dry seasons, planting trees, providing drought-resistant crops and building requisite infrastructure to prevent excessive flooding,” she said.

These measures, she added, would ensure that people can continue growing crops, even with limited rainfall and have to worry less about their homes being flooded, hence reducing the number of climate migrants and overcrowded cities and towns.

Back in Buwesunike, a dejected Gweshengwe remained defiant despite the increasing risks from violent storms.

“I would rather die here from a cyclone than return where I came from and slowly die from starvation,” said Gweshengwe with a chuckle, as he lit a hand-rolled tobacco cigarette. – Al Jazera

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Tourism bill clears National Assembly, moves to Senate

Published

5 days ago

March 26, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwe’s Tourism Act Amendment Bill has been passed by the National Assembly and now awaits debate in the Senate, marking a key step towards overhauling the country’s tourism sector.

According to the explanatory memorandum, “This Bill seeks to establish a Zimbabwe Tourism Authority that is responsible for the regulation for the tourism and hospitality industry, and the marketing of destination Zimbabwe.”

The proposed law strengthens the role of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), which will regulate, license and promote the industry. It also introduces stricter compliance measures for tourism operators.

Under the new provisions, registration and grading of facilities will be mandatory. The Bill states: “no person shall conduct or operate that designated tourist facility unless it is registered and graded.”

Authorities will also have enforcement powers, including shutting down non-compliant operators.

The legislation further extends regulation to online accommodation platforms, a growing segment in the tourism sector. It stipulates that: “All hosts must register with the Authority… before listing a property on an accommodation booking platform.”

To support industry growth, the Bill proposes the creation of a dedicated fund. It notes: “There is hereby established a fund to be known as the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund,” which will be used for “the development and promotion of the tourism and hospitality industry.”

Sustainability and inclusivity are also central to the new law. The Bill provides that: “All tourism policies, programs, and projects shall incorporate the principles of sustainable development.”

It further emphasises inclusion, stating that tourism development must mainstream “gender equality, disability inclusion, and the rights of indigenous peoples.”

Once enacted, the law will replace the current Tourism Act. The Bill clearly states it seeks “to repeal the Tourism Act [Chapter 14:20].”

The Bill now proceeds to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to debate its provisions before it can be sent for presidential assent.

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MP probes Binga tourism, climate and conservation plans

Published

6 days ago

March 25, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Binga South legislator, Fanuel Cumanzala has called for clarity on tourism development and environmental protection in the Zambezi Valley.

In a parliamentary hearing, Cumanzala asked the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife:

“The plans the Ministry has in place to develop and promote tourism in Binga District, particularly around the Zambezi River, in order to enhance local economic development and create employment opportunities for residents.”

He added:

“The programmes being implemented to ensure that local communities in Binga District directly benefit from tourism.”

Further questions focused on sustainability and climate resilience:

“What measures are in place to ensure the protection and sustainable management of natural tourism assets in the Zambezi Valley, including wildlife, rivers and forests, in order to prevent environmental degradation.”

“The efforts being made to combat poaching in the Zambezi Valley, particularly in Binga District, and how local communities are being involved in wildlife protection initiatives.”

“The climate adaptation strategies being implemented to assist communities in Binga District in coping with droughts, floods, and other climate-related challenges affecting the Zambezi Valley.”

No ministerial responses were recorded.

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Three painted dogs killed along Hwange highway as conservationists raise alarm

Published

1 week ago

March 23, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Conservationists have raised fresh concern over wildlife safety along the busy Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway after three endangered African wild dog were killed in separate incidents within a week.

In a statement, Painted Dog Conservation confirmed that two pups from the Umkhonto pack were struck and killed by a vehicle overnight within the Hwange landscape.

“We are heartbroken to share that two pups from the Umkhonto pack were killed overnight after being struck by a vehicle along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road,” the organisation said on Saturday.

The group said the pack had been safely escorted across a nearby road earlier, but is believed to have been disturbed by lions during the night, forcing them to move again toward the highway where the accident occurred.

“Despite constant monitoring and intervention, moments like this remind us how fragile their survival can be,” the organisation added.

The deaths bring to three the number of painted dogs killed along the same highway corridor in less than a week, with another animal reportedly struck closer to Victoria Falls.

Conservationists warned that the loss goes beyond individual animals, highlighting the species’ already fragile population.

“It’s not ‘just three dogs’. These three could have become alphas and been responsible for producing over 300 dogs through their offspring and subsequent generations,” the statement read.

Highway poses growing threat to wildlife

The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road, which cuts through key wildlife areas including parts of Hwange National Park, has long been flagged as a danger zone for animals.

The highway is a major tourism and freight route linking Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, carrying heavy traffic volumes that include haulage trucks, buses, and self-drive tourists—many travelling at high speeds, particularly at night.

Wildlife frequently crosses this corridor as it bisects natural habitats and migration routes, bringing animals such as elephants, lions and painted dogs into direct conflict with vehicles.

Conservation groups have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of speed limits, improved signage, and traffic calming measures in wildlife zones, especially at night when visibility is poor and animal movement increases.

Calls for action

Painted Dog Conservation urged motorists to slow down and remain vigilant when driving through wildlife areas.

“We urge all road users to slow down—especially at night—and call on authorities to strengthen and enforce speed reduction measures in wildlife areas. Their survival depends on it.”

The deaths come amid growing concern over human-wildlife conflict in Matabeleland North, where expanding infrastructure and traffic volumes continue to put pressure on endangered species.