Byo to be tourist magnet

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Eunice Sandi-Moyo has urged Bulawayo residents to document the city’s history by taking photographs as her office is in the process of recording historical sites which would be recommended to the government to turn into tourist attractions.

BULAWAYO Provincial Affairs minister Eunice Sandi-Moyo has urged Bulawayo residents to document the city’s history by taking photographs as her office is in the process of recording historical sites which would be recommended to the government to turn into tourist attractions.

nqobile bhebhe CHIEF REPORTER

Sandi-Moyo told guests on Sunday during the Bulawayo 120-year celebration that she respected the white community for recording their history.

Recently, the local authority revealed that it had identified 19 tourist attraction sites in conjunction with local stakeholders which could be used as a way of boosting local industry.

The sites include the Bulawayo Hanging Tree, Mzilikazi Memorial Library, Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre, Mzilikazi Art and Craft Centre Pottery Section, Matabeleland War Memorial Cenotaph, Memorial Indaba Plaque — City Hall, City Hall Grounds, Town Clock and Chimes (known as the Elwyn Chimes), Hillside Dams, Inxwala Festival Grounds, Makokoba Herbal Market, Stanley Square and Hall, McDonald Hall, Barbourfields Stadium, Magwegwe Water Tower and others.

“I respect the whites for recording their history. We should also do the same. It is the duty of us as the people of Bulawayo to turn this city into a tourist attraction through its preserved history, ruins, culture and sites. This scenario will enable our children to know more about the city’s history,” Sandi-Moyo said.

“My office is in the process of coming up with a committee that will look into such sites and recommend to the government through the  Tourism ministry how they can be turned into tourist attractions,” she added.

The tourist attractions surrounding the city have the potential of generating revenue, but were being underutilised. More than 100 firms in the city are estimated to have closed shop in the past two years throwing more than 20 000 workers into the streets.