Zimbabwe’s gambling revenue funds restoration of historic Chimoio Liberation War monument
The Lotteries and Gaming Board is financing major upgrades at the Chimoio Memorial, with restoration works now over 95 per cent complete as visitor numbers continue to rise.
Zimbabwe.- Zimbabwe is channelling revenues from its regulated gambling sector through the Lotteries and Gaming Board (LGB) to fund the restoration of the historic Chimoio Liberation War Monument. The board is providing resources to upgrade infrastructure and visitor facilities at the site, which has long been in need of attention.
The shrine, located in Chimoio, Mozambique, is a sacred memorial site where about 1,200 liberation fighters were killed during a Rhodesian attack in 1977. It has served as a central remembrance site for Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and continues to attract growing numbers of visitors.
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe directed the LGB to fund urgently needed renovations after inspecting the monument and noting its deteriorating infrastructure.
Kazembe highlighted challenges such as limited access to potable water, inadequate caretaker facilities, and outdated visitor amenities. “There is a lot that needs to be done, which is why we appealed to the Lotteries and Gaming Board to assist the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe with resources to upgrade these facilities,” he said.
Gaming Board-backed monument nears completion
The Board’s Vice Chair Costain Sabau confirmed its commitment to supporting the initiative. Renovation works include fencing the entire area, constructing new visitor toilets, building a shaded rest shelter and installing a solar-powered system for the borehole. Two three-bedroom caretaker houses are also under construction to improve staff accommodation.
The restoration works are now more than 95 per cent complete, with final touches expected soon. Visitor numbers have also increased significantly, with the shrine reportedly attracting around 2,000 visitors per week, including students, researchers and political delegations.
The upgrades aim to transform the Chimoio Liberation War Monument into a world-class political heritage tourism destination, ensuring proper preservation of the site and a better experience for visitors. By using proceeds from the gambling sector, Zimbabwe demonstrates how regulated gaming revenues can be leveraged for cultural preservation, heritage development and community benefit beyond the gaming industry.
