Rastafarians want the Emperor’s View at Zomba Mountain rehabilitated.
The place was named after Emperor Haile Selassie, former head of State of Ethiopia, who stepped his feet on the mountain on August 2 1965.
Secretary for the Nyahbingi National Council (NNC), Ras Vision, said apart from being a historical place, the view is also a centre for tourist attraction.
“Each time we come here for prayers, cleaning and conducting other activities we meet with both local and international tourists visiting this place,” he said.
However, he bemoaned that the place looks desolate.
“Most of the tourists spend little time at the spot as it has no shelter to protect them from the sun or rain. The place does not have sanitation facilities either,” he said.
NNCs events organiser Ras Golden Dread said rehabilitation of the Emperor’s View can also turn the site into a podium of arts festivals such as music, poetry and other cultural events.
“The view can also attract foreign currency from worldwide tourists that will be attracted to patronise the place due to its beauty and recreational facilities,” he said.
Rastafarians have since embarked on a mission of planting trees around the view to restore the soft breeze that caressed tourists decades ago.
Acting plantations manager for Zomba Mountain Forest Reserve, Kondwani Chimphonda, commended the Rastafarians for their interest in the therapy of the Emperor’s View.
He said the reintegration of the place will not only contribute to the arts and tourism industries, but also to environmental conservation.
“We are committed to supplying tree seedlings to the Nyahbingi House for the benefit of the country,” he said.
Zomba district tourism officer Young Chiwindo applauded the Rastafarians for their vision to turn Emperor’s View into a tourist destination.
“We urge all institutions operating tourism businesses in the district whether within the Zomba Mountain or town to champion the rehabilitation of the Emperor’s View as most tourists that will visit the site will need to be accommodated in their hotels, motels and lodges,” he said. n
