Connect with us

Uncategorized

Vic Falls tour companies reel from lockdown

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Tour companies in Victoria Falls are counting the costs after the latest lockdown to slow down the spread of Covid-19 saw both local and international tourists cancelled their bookings.

Advertisement

President Emmerson Mnangagwa imposed a strict lockdown last month after Zimbabwe was hit by a third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Clement Mukwasi, Employers Association for Tours and Safari Operators (EASTSO) president, told VicFallsLive the lockdown restrictions that include a ban on intercity travel had left tour companies battling for survival.

 “The little candle that had already started showing itself was immediately blown off and we are in the dark again,” Mukwasi said.

Advertisement

“It was for a good reason, but we were plunged into problems as there are no activities and hotel bookings..

“We had significant, but low bookings that had been registered and they immediately cancelled because of these restrictions.”

The tourism industry has been operating at 20 percent of its capacity last year and there is no hope of an improvement soon, Explore Zimbabwe’s Peggie White noted.

Advertisement

“As safari operators doing guided tours around Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls, the effects of Covid-19 have been beyond one’s imagination,” White said.

“We thought things were going to be better after a year and right now we are witnessing many (Covid-19) positive cases being recorded and people especially those from India and America have rescheduled and that keeps plunging the destination into uncertainty.

Authorities in the tourism industry say the country lost more than US$ 1.6 billion worth of revenue in 2020 alone following the outbreak of Covid-19 and the subsequent border closures.

Advertisement

Zimbabwe’s tourism sector generally brings in between US$1.5 million and US$ 2 billion annually.

Mukwasi said tour companies were now shifting their focus to domestic tourism.

“Our focus now has now been at the domestic tourism more than international tourism because of the new normal that we are now living in,” he added.

Advertisement

“The restrictions that came as a result of trying to curb the third wave keep on impacting quite seriously on the industry as a whole, but we have got some hope that after the lockdown and when more people have taken the vaccines, we are likely to then see the business starting to kick again.

“That, however, should be guided by opening responsibly because vaccines alone will not remove the scourge.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National

Zimbabwe selected for groundbreaking HIV prevention initiative

Published

on

BY STAFF REPORTER 

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has announced an exciting development in the fight against HIV: Zimbabwe has been selected as one of the ten countries globally to roll out lenacapavir, a breakthrough in HIV prevention.

“Yes Zimbabwe, it’s happening!” the embassy declared, highlighting the significance of this initiative.

“For decades, we’ve fought to turn the tide against this epidemic, and each day we get closer,” the statement continued. This new treatment represents a pivotal moment in HIV prevention efforts, as it is the first twice-yearly HIV prevention medicine.

The implementation of lenacapavir is made possible through a partnership with U.S.-based Gilead Sciences and the Global Fund. A key finding from a large-scale clinical trial shows that more than 99% of people on lenacapavir remained HIV negative. While this has the potential to save millions of lives, the Embassy emphasized that for Zimbabwe, it represents a major step toward ending new infections.

“But this is more than medicine—it advances us on a pathway to a safer, stronger, and healthier future!” noted the embassy’s announcement.

The initiative particularly focuses on pregnant and breastfeeding women, aiming to protect the next generation. It will also work toward strengthening healthcare systems, empowering Zimbabwe to lead its own fight against HIV. Moreover, the goal of making lenacapavir more affordable and accessible ensures that no one is left behind.

The embassy highlighted, “This is American leadership at its best: driving innovation, and building a world where children, mothers, and communities can thrive.”

As this initiative rolls out, the message is clear: “Together, we’re not just fighting HIV—we’re winning.”

Continue Reading

In the community

Avoid nightime movement and stoning elephants, communities told

Published

on

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

Following a recent spate of human-wildlife conflict incidents, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo has urged communities to exercise caution when encountering wild animals.

Farawo emphasized the importance of avoiding confrontations with elephants, particularly when they encroach into community areas. “We would like to urge members of the communities to avoid throwing stones at elephants,” he said. “This action agitates them, leading to attacks on people.”

In addition to avoiding confrontations, Farawo advised community members to minimize movement at night, as this is when wild animals are most active. “We would like to urge communities to avoid moving at night to minimize casualties,” he said.

Farawo’s comments come after a 79-year-old man from Hwange was killed by an elephant yesterday. The incident is still under investigation by rangers. This is the second fatal incident in the area, following the death of another man who was attacked by an elephant while on his way to work in Hwange town several weeks ago.

 

Continue Reading

In the community

Population Services Zimbabwe to offer free family planning services in Nkayi

Published

on

 BY WANDILE TSHUMA 

Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) is set to provide free family planning services in Nkayi District from next week

The initiative which will run from 15-18, aims to enhance access to comprehensive reproductive health care and empower individuals and couples to make informed choices regarding family planning.

The outreach will kick off on Monday, September 15, at the Sivalo Rural Health Centre (RHC) and its outreach site. This will be followed by activities at various locations each day:

Tuesday, September 16:
Jabulisa at 9:00 AM
Ngabayide at 2:00 PM
Wednesday, September 17:
Sebhumane at 9:00 AM
Nesigwe RHC at 10:00 AM
Thursday, September 18:
Mateme RHC at 9:00 AM
Sembeule at 10:00 AM

The services offered during this campaign include:

Loop insertion and removal
Implant insertion and removal
Depo Provera injections
Secure and control pills
Emergency contraceptive pills
Counselling on reproductive health issues

 

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 VicFallsLive. All rights reserved, powered by Advantage