Hwange holds a remarkable piece of history inside the ageing walls of the Old Wankie Hotel.
Built around 1904, the property is believed to be the first hotel in modern-day Hwange. It once served travellers using the historic Bulawayo–Victoria Falls railway line.
Over the years, countless passengers passed through its doors. However, one visitor gave the hotel a special place in Zimbabwe’s history.
In 1947, Princess Elizabeth stayed at the hotel during her journey through the region. She later became Queen Elizabeth II.
“The most historic aspect of this place is that Queen Elizabeth slept here in 1947. She slept in this hotel,” said Duly Hotel director Mrs Samkeliso Moyo.
A Royal Memory Amid Decay
The royal visit remains one of the hotel’s most treasured stories. The room associated with her stay still represents that remarkable chapter.
At the time, Wankie remained an important railway stop between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. However, decades of neglect eventually took a heavy toll on the historic property.
When Mrs Moyo and her husband arrived in 1993, they found the hotel badly deteriorated.
“We came here in 1993 and it was just a ruin. We then discovered that it was the Old Wankie Hotel, which had been advertised for rental. We won the tender to rent the property and began restoring it, bit by bit,” she said.
The couple initially operated the hotel while other businesses occupied parts of the property. Eventually, they purchased the entire property in 1998.
A Fight to Preserve Hwange’s History
Maintaining the historic building has proved increasingly difficult over the years. Mrs Moyo faced fresh challenges after her husband died in 2019.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic created additional pressure on the business. Persistent electricity problems also forced further repairs and improvements.
Today, Mrs Moyo wants financial support to restore the property once again.
“I am a widow, I am struggling. I am just looking for funds to renovate it to be in a good state,” she said.
Despite its struggles, the Old Wankie Hotel remains an important part of Hwange’s heritage. It represents the town’s early development and railway history.
Most importantly, it preserves a remarkable royal connection from 1947. For Mrs Moyo, saving the hotel means protecting a story that belongs to future generations.
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