By Tavonga Munyanyi
Shurugwi’s resort, KwaMahla Village Resort recently scooped multiple awards at Sanganai /Hlanganai World Tourism Expo 2024 edition held in Bulawayo last weekend.
KwaMahla, located in village 12, ward 19 of Shurugwi North, received Best First Time Exhibitor Award, Best Lodges Stand 2024 and Second runner up Best Green Tourism.
Speaking to TellZim News KwaMahla Village Resort founder Simon Magumo Mahla expressed his excitement, saying the resort was however a new-comer in the tourism industry.
“As KwaMahla Village Resort, we are excited to be one of the biggest winners of the Sanganai / Hlanganani World Tourism Expo Exhibitor Awards, recipients of the Best Lodge Stand, Best First Time Exhibitor and 2nd Runner-up for the Green Tourism Stand Awards.
“We are only a few months in operation after being licensed as a designated tourism facility in July. This is our inaugural participation at Sanganai.
“Shurugwi is virtually unknown or unpopular as a tourist destination, we are set to change that narrative by creating a resort that matches world standards while our offering will tell an authentic Shurugwi story of our rich environmental and cultural heritage. This is the reason why it is referred to as “scenic Shurugwi” popular for its picturesque rolling mountains and lush vegetation,” said Mahla.
Mahla said the village was not famous but Sanganai Hlanganai had created a significant milestone which improved its visibility.
“Clearly, people don’t know much about KwaMahla that’s why we decided to showcase our facility at Sanganai. We believe in the power of networks and we have partnered with Rural BnB as well as Rainbow Tourism Group’s Gateway Stream platform and other known platforms such as Air BnB and Booking.com,” he said.
He said they also want to lift Shurugwi’s standards through enhancing rural tourism.
“We are changing the narrative about Shurugwi and rural tourism in general, we want to make rural excursions part of everyone’s bucket-list, both domestic and international visitors,” he said.
The 2024 edition of the Sanganai / Hlanganai World Tourism Expo has seen a significant increase in participation with 408 exhibitors registered compared to around 270 in the previous year.
