Khula Development Project Expected to Create Up to 4,000 Jobs in Victoria Falls
Jonathan Sibanda
VICTORIA FALLS – The proposed US$260 million Khula Development is expected to create between 2,000 and 4,000 jobs during construction and after completion, with project partners pledging to prioritise local workers, contractors and businesses.
Khula Developments Project Chairperson Herbert Nkala announced the projected employment figures during the ground-breaking ceremony for the Victoria Falls Civic Centre, highlighting the potential economic benefits of the wider mixed-use development.
The project, a partnership between Cardinal Corporation and the City of Victoria Falls Council, will transform the existing council offices and Rest Camp site into a mixed-use precinct featuring a civic centre, hospitality facilities, retail outlets, conferencing spaces, offices and public amenities.
Nkala said the project’s success would be measured not only by the infrastructure delivered but also by the economic opportunities created for local communities.
“This project is not an import from Harare or from New York but it’s for the people of Victoria Falls and they must be the first and primary beneficiaries of the investment,” he said.
He said the project partners intended to create employment, support local contractors and suppliers, provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and equip young people with skills to build careers.
Nkala also identified local farmers, transport operators, artisans, artists and small businesses as potential beneficiaries of increased economic activity linked to the development.
“We want local farmers, transport operators, artisans, artists and small businesses to participate in the opportunities that a stronger Victoria Falls tourism sector can bring,” he said.
The development is expected to create opportunities across construction, hospitality, transport, retail and other supporting services.
It will include a proposed hotel offering 780 rooms, shopping and commercial facilities, conferencing infrastructure and a new Civic Centre, with the overall investment projected at US$260 million.
As part of its corporate social responsibility programme, Cardinal Corporation has also committed to constructing two classrooms at Mosi-oa-Tunya 2 High School. Work is expected to begin almost immediately under the guidance of the City Council.
Town Clerk Ronnie Dube said construction of the Civic Centre would also provide employment for local workers, generating income for families and supporting livelihoods.
However, the projected employment figures and local economic benefits will depend on the extent to which residents and local businesses are included in the project’s construction and subsequent operations.
Construction of the Civic Centre is expected to take between 18 and 24 months, while the wider development will be implemented over a longer period.
The project’s employment and local participation commitments will therefore be measured by how effectively they translate into jobs, contracts and business opportunities for Victoria Falls residents as implementation progresses.
