Concerns have been raised about possible overdevelopment in and around the Victoria Falls, a Unesco World Heritage Site, that could put the area’s environmental stability at risk. 

This follows news by the Victoria Falls City Council that the development of a US$50 million hotel is to go ahead. Construction was on hold during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hotel site is located close to the iconic Victoria Falls and situated between the Zambezi River Lodge and the new Palm River Lodge.

The project is a partnership between the Victoria Falls City Council and project promoter, Lamcent Capital, a Harare equity investment company. 

Construction is expected to start soon, although an opening date has yet to be announced. 

Victoria Falls City Council Town Clerk, Ronnie Dube, was quoted by state-owned newspaper, The Herald, as saying that a multinational hospitality company would be appointed to manage the hotel.

He said the development was a “legitimate arrangement with Cabinet approval”. He defended the development, noting that it would bring jobs and revenue to the city.

Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe President, Wengayi Nhau, was also cited in The Herald as welcoming the hotel as a “positive development” for Zimbabwe’s tourism industry. 

The development has met with criticism from local conservationists who have concerns that the numerous developments in Victoria Falls are eroding the wild spaces that are a large part of the attraction of this World Heritage Site. 

The Zambezi Society has expressed similar concerns, noting on its website: “We have, on previous occasions, called for a moratorium on all development in the area until proper planning mechanisms have been put in place.  We will do so again.”

The Zambezi Society pointed out that there were other developments of concern, including  that ground clearance was currently  taking place on the banks of the Zambezi River just upstream of Devil's Cataract for a restaurant to be built adjacent to the fenced edge of the Rainforest.

Furthermore, according to them, investors are being sought for several developments within national park land close to Victoria Falls, including a restaurant and jetty on a 13.5 ha island on the Zambezi River. 

Petition started

Local resident and renowned artist, Larry Norton, has started a petition to “stop the commercialisation of Cataract Island and surrounding majestic wild areas (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe)”. 

In his change.org petition, Norton writes: “As Victoria Falls expands as a city, growth and development opportunities are natural and important. However, it is equally important and imperative for these developments to be balanced against the erosion of wild spaces which are the very attraction of this World Heritage Site, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

“The absolute protection of this natural phenomenon and the unspoilt surrounding area is urgently needed.”

At the time of publication, close to 12 000 signatures had been garnered. Norton hopes to gather 15 000 signatures in total. 

This petition is an appeal to the ZPWMA, Zimbabwean Government, City Council authorities to:

• Stop commercialisation of the pristine Cataract Island
• Stop another company from constructing a restaurant in unspoiled riverine bush, 55 metres from the Rainforest boundary.
• Stop commercialisation of an island upriver. 

Additional reporting by Gaongalelwe Dinale.