Masvingo Correspondent
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared that Victoria Falls, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, belongs exclusively to Zimbabwe, dismissing the widely held view that the iconic natural wonder is shared with neighbouring Zambia.
Speaking at the official opening of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Masvingo on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said the world-famous tourist attraction faces Zimbabwe and therefore cannot be regarded as jointly owned by the two countries.
“In Zimbabwe, we have a lot of beautiful places, to an extent that we cannot mention them one by one, that could attract tourists to visit our destination. God loved our nation. Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls, some say it is shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia, but that is not true,” Mnangagwa said.
“If you are proposing love to a girl, you do not court her from behind but from the front. Victoria Falls faces Zimbabwe and has its back to Zambia.”
The remarks came as the President highlighted Zimbabwe’s tourism potential and efforts to position the country as a leading destination for international travellers.
Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia along the Zambezi River and is recognised by UNESCO as a transboundary World Heritage Site. The destination is jointly marketed by both countries and attracts millions of visitors annually.
Mnangagwa’s comments drew attention because of the long-standing recognition of the falls as a shared natural attraction, with tourism infrastructure and viewing points located on both sides of the border.
Available figures show that in 2024, about 70% of the combined visits to the two Victoria Falls visitor parks were recorded on the Zimbabwean side, compared with about 30% on the Zambian side
The President used the occasion to underscore growth in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, saying investor confidence remained strong.
According to Mnangagwa, tourism investment increased by 229 percent to US$132.3 million during the first half of 2026, up from US$40 million recorded during the same period last year.
He also said domestic tourism had grown significantly, with visitor numbers rising from five million in the first half of 2025 to 6.4 million during the corresponding period this year.
“It is commendable that growth in the tourism sector has had trickle-down effects on the creative and cultural industries, which contributed 8.8 percent to our GDP in 2025,” Mnangagwa said.
“The tourism sector is demonstrating growth, diversity and resilience. Models for tourism development must therefore continue on this transformative trajectory.”
The Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is Zimbabwe’s premier tourism showcase, bringing together local and international exhibitors to promote investment and travel opportunities in the sector.
