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Historic sites at CAWM-Mweka protected

THE government’s decision to declare the historic Administration Block and the Chagga Bolt Hole at the College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM-Mweka)
The College of African Wildlife Management Mweka

KILIMANJARO: THE government’s decision to declare the historic Administration Block and the Chagga Bolt Hole at the College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM-Mweka) as national heritage sites is expected to increase government revenues through tourism.

Speaking at a recent press conference, the Principal Public Relations Officer of CAWM-Mweka, Mr Ernest Emmanuel, praised the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism for recognising the site’s historical significance.

“The Ministry’s statement, signed on behalf of the Permanent Secretary confirms that the Administration Block and the Chagga Bolt Hole have been declared national heritage sites due to their historical and commemorative value to the country,” Mr Emmanuel said.

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“According to the ministry, these sites were officially gazetted as national heritage sites through Government Notice No. 163, dated 15 March this year, in accordance with the Antiquities Act Chapter 333, Section 3 (1).”

The declaration, made under the 2006 Antiquities Policy, officially recognises the newly gazetted areas as historical sites and tourist attractions.

Mr Emmanuel explained that the Administration Block, built in 1903 by the German colonial administration, initially served as a kindergarten for the children of German settlers working on nearby coffee and sisal plantations.

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“Following World War II, the building was repurposed as a nursing school before becoming the wildlife management college in 1963,” he noted. “The Chagga Bolt Hole, on the other hand, was dug by Chagga residents in the 17th and 18th centuries as a shelter during conflicts with the Maasai people.”