Rupisi: Beautiful abandoned resort

05 Jan, 2018 - 00:01 0 Views
Rupisi: Beautiful abandoned resort With greater developmental efforts, Rupisi Hotsprings is an easy attraction to bring economic relief to the people in Chipangayi

eBusiness Weekly

Enacy Mapakame
Zimbabwe is endowed with great natural resources. But it is also a country full of myths and legends about those natural resources. People often talk about Nyanga Mountain mysteries and occurred disappearances, the mystical pool at Chinhoyi Caves, the sacred Nharira Hills, Nyanyadzi Hotsprings, the mermaid mysteries at the Bridal Veil Falls and the Tesa Pool in Chimanimani and the Njelele Hills in Matabeleland.

In fact the list goes on. Zimbabwe is a myths and legends country! It is no surprise that LEGEND has it that people would see clean white bed linen, clothes, dish cloths and nappies hung up for drying on nearby bushes early in the morning in the Chipangayi area in Save Valley region, along the Tanganda-Chiredzi Highway. No one would ever see who these garments belonged to as they would just “disappear” by mid-day.

White commercial farmers in the surrounding areas during the Rhodesian era attempted to develop the area, building swimming pools and other recreational facilities, but again the legend is that the developed structures would be destroyed by the following sunrise. Water bubbles out scalding hot and steamy, as it flows into tiny streams and pools nearby where it takes time to cool off. For adults, the water is hot enough to make tea or coffee. Naughty kids craving boiled eggs, steal them from home and dip them into the Hotsprings.

Rupisi translated means “burn”, hence the coincidence of the area’s name. In 1953, it was declared national monument, number 51, which certified its attraction to white colonial settlers in the Chipinge area. Despite the sunny weather in the area, the distinctive flora and fauna could make Rupisi Hotsprings an ideal spot for bird watching and relaxing.

With greater developmental efforts, Rupisi Hotsprings is an easy attraction to bring economic relief to the people in Chipangayi. The place has a sense of mystery. Locals believe that the hot water streams are medicinal and therapeutic, particularly for the aging with aching joints and fatiguing bodies. The pools of crystal clear waters are reminiscent of urban saunas, but offer the delight of reflecting the valley landscape.

Tourists however, should take heed of sitting too long in the pools as the temperatures may get too warm; as a contingency many of the health conscious visitors take water containers to carry the fresh waters back to their residence; such is the cherished stature of natural fresh water. The entire community is readily available human capital for hospitality and services, with potential to attract both domestic and international tourists. The culture of the people is social, respectful, and easy going. A pleasant people resides throughout the area.

Its location, in the Save Conservancy Area gives it an advantage to attract visitors through the Birchnough Bridge column, which is also a favorite for domestic travellers. In fact, the latter attraction could use some stimulus too, and Rupisi Hotsprings could easily be that stimulating complement.

The Rupisi area already has direction of what needs to be done, which was once implemented prior independence. But these have turned into ruins, as it has been abandoned into an under-utilised hospitality spot. There is no fencing at the area, with no one claiming ownership of the place. There is no signage on the highway to show travellers of the natural resource, apart from a herd of cattle, donkeys and goats that drink from the pool.

Only passersby who have heard of the Hot-springs through oral tradition pass through to watch the hot water bubbling from the ground, scotch drawn carts ferrying the hot water from the spring for domestic use with many others doing laundry or bathing by the pool.

“This is a good tourist attraction and visitors used to come here to see, this is not an ordinary site but it has since been abandoned. No one has bothered to come forward to develop it and resuscitate the tourism here but it has great potential. Some white people who used to live nearby tried to develop it, but we also hear the ancestors of this land were not happy and need to be appeased,” said Blessing Makuyana who resides near the Hotsprings.

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