Hello and welcome to this edition of Africa Express here on China Radio International. I'm your host, Wei Tong.
Zimbabwe, Africa's paradise, is a landlocked southern African country with about 13 million people.
Why is it called Africa's paradise? Zimbabwe was once known as Africa's "bread basket" for its abundant foods and also was one of Africa's top destinations for tourists.
Today's Zimbabwe remains a safe and secure destination for tourists, with major attractions like UNESCO World Heritage sites Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe still there.
CRI correspondent Cheng Qinghua will take you there to see what Zimbabwe has to offer and hear what tourist professionals says about the country.
I have worked and lived in Zimbabwe since August 2006 and I have travelled around in the country from place to place. Personally, I have never seen any tourist in danger or being attacked by local people for whatever reason or wherever I go. Yet people from outside of Zimbabwe seem to hesitate coming here.
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Givemore Chidzidzi, the marketing and communication director of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority in Harare. When I asked about the safety issues visitors would sometimes worry about when traveling in Zimbabwe, Chidzidzi said:
"Tourists are safer in Zimbabwe than in any other places in the world. In most cases, they are safer in Zimbabwe than in their own homes. You can walk in the streets of Harare any time throughout the night or 24 hours and nothing will happen. You can drive from one corner to the other and nothing will happen. We encourage visitors to take necessary precautions as they should do in any parts of the world. If they travel with valuables, they should look after their valuables. If they have vehicles, they should also drive in the civilized time of the day."
With a safe and secure environment for tourists, Zimbabwe is indeed a great destination to go, as the country has so much to offer, according to Chidzidzi.
"As Africa's paradise, we offer everything that anyone can imagine in Africa's paradise. Zimbabwe is one of the few countries that devotes a very big proportion of its surface area to wildlife conservation and wildlife management. That's one thing which we are proud of ourselves. People may not be aware that we have a big national park, Hwange National Park, which is as big as Belgium."
Besides the wildlife in Zimbabwe, the country has five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Great Zimbabwe, the single largest ancient city in sub-Saharan Africa. Walls built with 15,000 tonnes of stone without mortar have resisted withering for more than 700 years.
A scene at the historical site of Great Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe derives its name from Great Zimbabwe (Zimba – the big house; remabwe –of stones). The government's adoption of the eagle, or Zimbabwean bird ichnography, certainly glorifies the country's historical roots in Great Zimbabwe.
What's more, one of the seven global natural wonders is also in this part of the world, Victoria Falls. As Chidzidzi told me more.
"We have Victoria Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in the world. This waterfall forms our mega tourism attraction in Zimbabwe. More adventurous activities include bungee jumping 110 meters from the Victoria Falls Bridge and wild water rafting on the Zambezi (River).You can walk with lions in Victoria Falls, you can go on a big elephant safari. We see Victoria Falls being a must in all itineraries to southern Africa. Anyone visiting southern Africa, one must visit Victoria Falls."
If you still doubt Africa's Paradise, why not come and see for yourself? As a resident correspondent in Zimbabwe, I feel obliged for the gorgeous weather here. Chidzidzi agreed.
"We are very much blessed with a very pleasant climate. Zimbabwe doesn't have any extreme climate conditions. Our temperature is very moderate and our rains are very moderate, with an average eight to nine hours of sunshine everyday of the year. Obviously, with such a resource and coupled with a very friendly and peaceful Zimbabwean people, you'll find, to the contrast of the image, Zimbabweans are the most peace-loving people in this part of the world."
I couldn't agree more that they are peaceful people. Here on the streets of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, I don't see people quarrelling or fighting day or night. In shops, you see people queuing up and always say, "Excuse me," if someone happens to be in the way. When talking to people, they smile before they talk.
With a wonderful weather, colorful wildlife, bright sunshine and mega waterfalls, what do you call Zimbabwe? It's Africa's paradise, not only for local Zimbabweans, but also for tourists from all over the world.
Thank you, Cheng Qinghua for taking us to such a charming place in Africa, the paradise on the earth. Now we conclude this edition of Africa Express. I'm Wei Tong. Bye for now! |
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