Blessing Munyenyiwa has spent nearly three decades in tourism, building businesses while keeping Victoria Falls close to the centre of his work. Today, his interests stretch from luxury safari operations to hospitality, conservation and community development. With his ambitious Kumusha Ekhayalethu development taking shape outside Victoria Falls, Blessing Munyenyiwa talks business, community and what comes next for the destination.
Q: VICTORIA FALLS IS HOME AND THE CENTRE OF MUCH OF YOUR BUSINESS LIFE. WHAT KEEPS YOU HERE?
A: The people. When situations arise, the business and wider community put their competitive hats aside and come together to find solutions. For me, it is the best city in Zimbabwe.
Q: WHAT HAS VICTORIA FALLS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
A: That it is okay to fail, put your hand up and ask for help. I have fallen many times and had to start again. I started at the bottom and learnt that every person in an organisation matters. My father always said in Shona, “Ziva kwawakabva”, always remember where you come from and remain humble.
Q: YOU ARE DEVELOPING KUMUSHA EKHAYALETHU, INCLUDING A 1,200-SEAT CONFERENCE AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE. WHAT IS THE VISION?
A: My wife Marilese and I wanted to create a multifunctional MICE and events space. The new venue will accommodate up to 1,200 guests, making it the largest permanent conference space in the region. It is in Sizinda, about 20 minutes from Victoria Falls, and we are ahead of schedule for our 15 February 2027 opening.
Q: AND ARE YOU GETTING WORLD CUP READY?
A: Absolutely. The 2027 Cricket World Cup is an exciting opportunity for Victoria Falls and businesses across the destination. Kumusha Ekhayalethu will be ready, and we hope to have the opportunity to host team dinners and other events.
Q: WHY IS GIVING BACK SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?
A: I believe you have to do well in business to be able to do good. I want to be remembered as someone who genuinely cared and made a difference to Zimbabwe’s people and conservation. Giving back is not always financial. It can be your time, effort and creating opportunities for others.
Q: CONSERVATION IS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT PART OF YOUR WORK. WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY PROUD OF?
A: I am grateful to my Machaba Safaris partners, Alistair Ranking and Murry Collins, for believing in Zimbabwe and investing with me in some incredible safari camps. I have also had the privilege of partnering with Derek and Beverly Joubert at Great Plains. One of our proudest conservation achievements was successfully moving 101 elephants within Zimbabwe to Sapi.
Q: WHAT DO VISITORS RARELY SEE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY BEHIND VICTORIA FALLS?
A: Guests stay an average of only a couple of days, yet there is so much happening in the communities around Victoria Falls. It deserves at least three nights. Beyond being an adventure capital, there is another side of the destination that would be incredible for visitors to experience.
Q: BEYOND THE VICTORIA FALLS THEMSELVES, WHAT WOULD YOU PERSONALLY RECOMMEND?
A: For those who have seen the Victoria Falls and want something more adventurous, I love taking guests on guided hikes into the gorge to see the waterfalls from below. It is one of my favourite experiences and offers a completely different perspective.
Q: WHAT DOES VICTORIA FALLS NEED TO GET RIGHT FOR THE FUTURE?
A: We need to continue developing as a smart city while protecting our wild spaces. Victoria Falls is unique because of the wildlife and wilderness around it. Growth must happen alongside conservation, while creating sustainable jobs and opportunities for surrounding communities.
Q: HOW IMPORTANT IS AIR CONNECTIVITY TO THAT FUTURE?
A: Air access is one of the most important ingredients for any destination. fastjet’s investment has helped make Victoria Falls more accessible locally and regionally, connecting it with more destinations. That connectivity has played an important role in the growth of Victoria Falls tourism.
CONCLUSION
For Blessing Munyenyiwa, business, conservation and community are closely connected. As Victoria Falls grows, so too does his ambition for what can be built here, but without losing sight of the people and wild spaces that make the destination what it is. With Kumusha Ekhayalethu taking shape, his next chapter is already well underway.
Text by Mukoma Bryan | Images © Supplied