Staff Reporter
The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage through a €4 million programme aimed at promoting heritage-based sustainable tourism in Southern Africa, with the Matobo Hills as one of the key beneficiaries.
EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst Von Kirchmann, made the announcement on Tuesday via his official X account, following visits to two of Zimbabwe’s most iconic heritage sites, the Great Zimbabwe and Matobo Hills.
The ambassador thanked the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Regional Office for Southern Africa and the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe for facilitating his tour.
“A great thank you to UNESCO and the National Museums of Zimbabwe for allowing me to delve into Zimbabwe’s rich history at Great Zimbabwe and the Matobo Hills.
“I am proud that the European Union is supporting the Matobo Hills through the €4 million programme, ‘Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture,’ which aims to promote culture and heritage-based sustainable tourism in Southern Africa,” he added.
The programme, which is jointly implemented by UNESCO and the African Union, seeks to strengthen the protection and promotion of cultural heritage in partnering countries across the continent. In Zimbabwe, the focus is on the Matobo Hills a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient rock art, spiritual significance, and biodiversity.
Local heritage authorities have welcomed the EU’s support, saying it will enhance conservation efforts as well as open new opportunities for community-based tourism.
“This is a major boost for our work in preserving the Matobo Hills and developing sustainable cultural tourism models that benefit local communities,” said Mr. Darlington Munyikwa, Deputy Director of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe
Ambassador Von Kirchmann’s visit comes amid growing international interest in Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage, which includes several globally recognized sites. His remarks also reflect the EU’s broader strategy of using culture as a bridge for international cooperation and sustainable development.
The funding is expected to support infrastructural improvements, capacity building for local heritage managers, and community engagement initiatives aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable tourism development in the region.
