Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu says efforts to develop kwaMereki into a modern eating place is being affected by negative reception by operators and patrons.
KwaMereki is a popular drinking and braaiing outing space in Warren Park D in Harare.
Most people go there to spend time with friends and family drinking and braaiing.
However, there have been complaints about the lack of development on the space which has no ablution facilities.
This saw Warren Park legislator Shakespeare Hamauswa taking the opportunity to ask the tourism minister what plans they have for the popular outing space.
However, in his response to the question, Minister Ndlovu said the place is recognised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) as part of Township Tourism but development on the land has been resisted.
‘’Mr Speaker Sir, allow me to add that attempts to formalise the place through either forming cooperatives or registering it as a community-based tourism project in order for it to comply with tourism legislation have been futile.
‘’The ZTA at one time offered to train the operators as a community service and would still do the same but the reception was not encouraging.
‘’It must be noted, though, that at times the target market and patrons prefer this place in its current state and condition. Once it is modernized they tend to shun away and look for other undeveloped areas.
‘’This was also noted at the erstwhile famous kumazondo or kwa Zindoga in Waterfalls. It has been noted that revellers at such places prefer eating in the privacy of their cars.
‘’However, ablution facilities and general hygiene and cleanliness remain a cause for concern. It is important that the local authorities attend to this and other similar places if they are to flourish as tourism centres,’’ he said.
