LACK of funding is delaying the rehabilitation of Old Bulawayo, which is home to the late Ndebele kingdom founding monarch King Mzilikazi Khumalo, National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) deputy director Darlington Munyikwa has said.
Speaking to Southern Eye, Munyikwa said some of the work had, however, been completed though they had failed to meet deadlines.
NMMZ had set a target to complete in the project in the second quarter of 2024.
“We have done some of the works, including the king’s palace. We have partially built the kraal and we secured grass to re-thatch some of the beehive huts, among other things,” Munyikwa said.
“Our plan is that the outstanding work will be done this year. Commissioning will be done depending on the progress made, but we are hoping that (it is done) by the last quarter of the year.”
Last year, Munyikwa revealed that they had faced a serious shortage of materials which stalled the rehabilitation of Old Bulawayo after stakeholders, who had pledged to assist, failed to show up.
Old Bulawayo, which was established by King Lobengula as his capital in 1870 soon after the death of his father, King Mzilikazi, in 1868, was razed to the ground by fire in 2010.
Munyikwa said there was a delay in the sourcing of materials, hence the project had not been completed, adding that a few materials were needed to complete the rehabilitation of the site.
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Among the completed structures include the first beehive and maintenance of the road in partnership with the Tourism and Hospitality Industry ministry and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
The rehabilitation of the historical site, 20km south of Bulawayo, is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year.
