A US$13 million multi-purpose shopping mall is being built in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Sawanga Shopping Mall will be the first mall to be built in the town and will encourage longer stays and greater spend by tourists. Construction is expected to be completed by January next year.
The ground-breaking ceremony was held on Friday, February 2. The mall will be built on 1 500 hectares on Pioneer Road and will host 23 tenants, including shops such as Pick ’n Pay, banks, restaurants, a car park and offices.
“This development is indeed significant, as it shows renewed confidence in Zimbabwe arising from renewed interest in the country,” says Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Prisca Mupfumira. "This is testimony of great things to come in the tourism front and we thank Zimre [a local investment company] for complementing government efforts to promote local investment."
"Victoria Falls is a central hub for visitors and tourism and many of our tours start or finish there. In that sense, the new mall will service both locals – with the creation of new employment and services – and tourists who are sightseeing, preparing to begin their tour, or returning home after it has ended,” says Vivian McCarthy, Director at tour operator, Acacia Africa.
