Omega Ukama 
THE Montclair Hotel, a sprawling complex tucked into the misty Nyanga highlands, seemed to murmur with echoes of an era gone by.
General manager Brian Nyakutombwa, impeccably dressed and with a thoughtful air, traced the hotel’s seven-decade journey as he sat in the wood-paneled lobby.
“This place,” he began, a note of fondness in his voice, “was built for leisurely escapes and boisterous family gatherings. Generations of Zimbabweans have passed through these doors.”
The tale of the Montclair was one of steady evolution.
“The Montclair is more than just a place to lay your head,”
It mirrored the changing face of Zimbabwe’s tourism scene – from colonial-era retreat to a post-independence getaway catering to the emerging black middle class.
Yet, challenges lingered. The spectre of the Covid-19 pandemic cast a long shadow, its impact still keenly felt.
“We were brought to our knees,” Nyakutombwa admitted, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes. “But like the mountains surrounding us, we endured.”
Montclair’s story gained complexity against the backdrop of Zimbabwe’s volatile economy. “Power outages, those are our Achilles’ heel,” the general manager sighed. “And the fluctuations, they add a layer of uncertainty to every business decision.”
A whisper, persistent and tantalising, had been making the rounds in tourism circles – that of the potential sale of the Montclair.
Nyakutombwa addressed the rumours head-on but remained evasive.
“Interest has been expressed, yes. But as of today, the Montclair stands proud and open for business.”
His eyes held a determined glint when discussing the future. Plans were afoot: amusement parks, timeshare lodges, and refurbishments, all aimed at reviving the hotel’s golden age with a modern twist.
“The Montclair is more than just a place to lay your head,” Nyakutombwa declared.
“It’s interwoven with the spirit of Nyanga, of Manicaland itself. We have much to offer, and the challenges we face, they will only make us stronger.”
The interview concluded, leaving a sense of both nostalgia and anticipation.
The Montclair, like Zimbabwe itself, stood at a crossroads.
Its legacy was assured, but its future was a canvas yet to be fully painted – a story of resilience, adaptability, and an enduring faith in the beauty of the place they called home.
newsdesk@fingaz.co.zw
