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Locals Ignore Threats to Delist Vic Falls As a World Heritage Site

Residents are not moved by UNESCO's renewed threats to delist the Victoria Falls as a world heritage site. Image by Globalgayz


BY CALVIN MANIKA | @The_CBNews | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | AUG 13, 2022

UNESCO’s renewed threats to delist Victoria Falls as a world heritage site have attracted international attention elsewhere but here locals are not moved.


VICTORIA FALLS (The Citizen Bulletin) — Thomas Banda, a resident of Chinotimba suburb in Victoria Falls, is oblivious to the threats to delist the resort town as a world heritage site.

This comes after a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) team visited the resort town, and warned that ongoing infrastructural developments such as lodges and a golf course near the Falls could see the tourist destination losing its heritage status.

But Banda is not shaken and he is not alone.


An investigation by this publication reveals that a number of Victoria Falls residents do not understand the role of UNESCO at the giant waterfalls. They also do not see any change in their lives without the UN body granted site status.


Another resident, Sibonisiwe Bhebhe says Victoria Falls will remain a natural wonder with, or without a heritage site status.

In support of her, the chairperson of Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association (VIFACORA), Kevin Moyo says a site status was only a marketing tool for the resort town.

“There are some questionable developments in the Victoria Falls but it still remains a natural wonder.”

Victoria Falls City Council Chairman for Health, Housing and Community Councillor Nkanyiso Sibindi, however, feels there was a lot of dishonesty concerning infrastructural developments at the Falls.


“People and activists that are fighting against the new developments are white owned companies because they are scared of competition from these developments coming to the town.”
Nkanyiso Sibindi


Sibindi says that some players in the tourism industry operating in Victoria Falls have gone to the courts challenging the developments.

Victoria Falls earned its heritage site status in 1989. Image by Evergreen


Sibindi adds that he is not surprised that a number of residents are not concerned about the world heritage site status.


“Some residents say, even if UNESCO pulls out, there is no harm to them because they are not even benefiting from the waterfall as they believe all the income is sent directly to Harare. So they don’t care.”


Victoria Fall is one of the country’s world heritage sites, others being Khami and Great Zimbabwe both declared in 1986, Matobo Hills (2003) as well as Mana Pools (1984), reveals UNESCO.

Victoria Falls earned its heritage site status in 1989.


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The site status enables any destination to be recognised by the UN as an international tourism spot.

Meanwhile, UNESCO says over-development of the Victoria Falls is disrupting wildlife corridors and the environment.


*Edited by Lizwe Sebatha | Fact Checked & Proofread by Melody Mpande | Reviewed & Commissioned by Divine Dube.


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