18°53′40″S 29°48′40″E / 18.8944°S 29.8111°E / -18.8944; 29.8111
111-472: Globe and Phoenix Mine ( G&P Mine ) is a gold mine in Zimbabwe . It is just outside Kwekwe CBD. G&P Mine was pegged on the site of ancient gold workings in 1894 by prospectors Edward Thornton Pearson and Joseph Schukala. The two men were shown this ancient mining place by a Shona native whose confidence they bought with two blankets. The head works of the mine still dominate Kwekwe City which
222-488: A Shona term for Great Zimbabwe , a medieval city ( Masvingo ) in the country's south-east. Two different theories address the origin of the word. Many sources hold that "Zimbabwe" derives from dzimba-dza-mabwe , translated from the Karanga dialect of Shona as "houses of stones" ( dzimba = plural of imba , "house"; mabwe = plural of ibwe , "stone"). The Karanga-speaking Shona people live around Great Zimbabwe in
333-464: A presidential election along with a parliamentary election . The results of this election were withheld for two weeks, after which it was generally acknowledged that the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) had achieved a majority of one seat in the lower house of parliament. In September 2008, a power-sharing agreement was reached between Tsvangirai and President Mugabe, permitting
444-578: A self-governing British colony , subsequent to a 1922 referendum . Rhodesians of all races served on behalf of the United Kingdom during the two World Wars in the early-20th century. Proportional to the white population, Southern Rhodesia contributed more per capita to both the First and Second World Wars than any other part of the empire, including Britain. The 1930 Land Apportionment Act restricted black land ownership to certain segments of
555-481: A self-governing British colony . In 1965, the white minority government unilaterally declared independence as Rhodesia . The state endured international isolation and a 15-year guerrilla war with black nationalist forces; this culminated in a peace agreement that established de jure sovereignty as Zimbabwe in April 1980. Robert Mugabe became Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980, when his ZANU–PF party won
666-705: A case of whisky. Lionel Phillips of Phillips Exploration Syndicate bought both the Globe and Phoenix reefs in September 1894, hence the name Globe and Phoenix Mine. Lionel Phillips paid £300 cash and 500 on £1 shares for the Globe Reef and £600 for the Phoenix Reef paid in gold sovereigns at Shepherds Beer Hall in Gwelo where many business transactions were done in those days. The Globe and Phoenix Mining Company
777-415: A coinage by the black nationalist Michael Mawema, whose Zimbabwe National Party became the first to officially use the name in 1961. The term "Rhodesia"—derived from the surname of Cecil Rhodes , the primary instigator of British colonisation of the territory—was perceived by African nationalists as inappropriate because of its colonial origin and connotations. According to Mawema, black nationalists held
888-488: A meeting in 1960 to choose an alternative name for the country, proposing names such as "Matshobana" and " Monomotapa " before his suggestion, "Zimbabwe", prevailed. It was initially unclear how the chosen term was to be used—a letter written by Mawema in 1961 refers to "Zimbabweland" — but "Zimbabwe" was sufficiently established by 1962 to become the generally preferred term of the black nationalist movement. Like those of many African countries that gained independence during
999-423: A military system with regimental kraals , similar to those of Shaka, which was stable enough to repel further Boer incursions. Mzilikazi died in 1868; following a violent power struggle, his son Lobengula succeeded him. In the 1880s, European colonists arrived with Cecil Rhodes 's British South Africa Company (chartered in 1889). In 1888, Rhodes obtained a concession for mining rights from King Lobengula of
1110-535: A non-Shona head of state. Archaeological records date archaic human settlement of present-day Zimbabwe to at least 500,000 years ago. Zimbabwe's earliest known inhabitants were most likely the San people , who left behind a legacy of arrowheads and cave paintings. Approximately 2,000 years ago, the first Bantu-speaking farmers arrived during the Bantu expansion. Societies speaking proto- Shona languages first emerged in
1221-434: A recommendation. In August 2023, President Emmerson Mnangagwa won a second term in an outcome of the election rejected by the opposition and questioned by observers. In September 2023, Zimbabwe signed control over almost 20% of the country's land to the carbon offset company Blue Carbon . Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, lying between latitudes 15° and 23°S , and longitudes 25° and 34°E . It
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#17328022208561332-468: A year, and had done so for quite a long time. If this rate of growth had been maintained for the next 37 years, Zimbabwe would have in 2016 a GDP of US$ 52 billion. Instead it had a formal sector GDP of only US$ 14 billion, a cost of US$ 38 billion in lost growth. The population growth in 1980 was among the highest in Africa at about 3.5 per cent per annum, doubling every 21 years. Had this growth been maintained,
1443-465: Is a republic with a presidential system of government. The semi-presidential system was abolished with the adoption of a new constitution after a referendum in 2013 . Under the constitutional changes in 2005, an upper chamber , the Senate , was reinstated. The House of Assembly is the lower chamber of Parliament. In 1987 Mugabe revised the constitution, abolishing the ceremonial presidency and
1554-442: Is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west and southwest, Zambia to the northwest, and Mozambique to the east and northeast. Its northwest corner is roughly 150 meters from Namibia , nearly forming a four-nation quadripoint . Most of the country is elevated, consisting of a central plateau (high veld) stretching from the southwest northwards with altitudes between 1,000 and 1,600 m. The country's extreme east
1665-471: Is mountainous, this area being known as the Eastern Highlands , with Mount Nyangani as the highest point at 2,592 m. The highlands are known for their natural environment, with tourist destinations such as Nyanga , Troutbeck, Chimanimani , Vumba and Chirinda Forest at Mount Selinda . About 20% of the country consists of low-lying areas, (the low veld) under 900m. Victoria Falls , one of
1776-408: Is only about 8.5 km away while Kwekwe River is about 14.5 km away. The name of the nearest and larger river would have prevailed. Kwekwe Village sanitary board was established in 1904 but by 1910 there were only thirteen residential stands and of the fifty four business stands marked, only twenty had been allocated to willing developers. Globe and Phoenix Mine is now under new ownership,
1887-407: Is only about 8.5 km away while Kwekwe River is about 14.5 km away. The name of the nearest and larger river would have prevailed. Kwekwe Village sanitary board was established in 1904 but by 1910 there were only thirteen residential stands and of the fifty four business stands marked, only twenty had been allocated to willing developers. Globe and Phoenix Mine is now under new ownership,
1998-597: The American declaration of 1776, which Smith and others indeed claimed provided a suitable precedent to their own actions. The United Kingdom deemed the Rhodesian declaration an act of rebellion but did not re-establish control by force. The British government petitioned the United Nations for sanctions against Rhodesia pending unsuccessful talks with Smith's administration in 1966 and 1968. In December 1966,
2109-461: The Cold War , Zimbabwe is an ethnically neutral name. It is debatable to what extent Zimbabwe, being over 80% homogenously Shona and dominated by them in various ways, can be described as a nation state . The constitution acknowledges 16 languages, but only embraces two of them nationally, Shona and English. Shona is taught widely in schools, unlike Ndebele . Zimbabwe has additionally never had
2220-614: The Constitution of Zimbabwe Mugabe should be succeeded by Vice-president Phelekezela Mphoko , a supporter of Grace Mugabe , ZANU–PF chief whip Lovemore Matuke stated to the Reuters news agency that Mnangagwa would be appointed as president. On 30 July 2018 Zimbabwe held its general elections , which were won by the ZANU-PF party led by Mnangagwa. Nelson Chamisa who was leading the main opposition party MDC Alliance contested
2331-458: The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) concluded that due to the deterioration of government and the economy "the government encourages corruption to make up for its inability to fund its own institutions" with widespread and informal police roadblocks to issue fines to travellers being one manifestation of this. In July 2016 nationwide protests took place regarding the economic collapse in
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#17328022208562442-558: The Kingdom of Zimbabwe eclipsed Mapungubwe. This Shona state further refined and expanded upon Mapungubwe's stone architecture. From c. 1450 to 1760, the Kingdom of Mutapa ruled much of the area of present-day Zimbabwe, plus parts of central Mozambique. It is known by many names including the Mutapa Empire, also known as Mwene Mutapa or Monomotapa as well as "Munhumutapa", and was renowned for its strategic trade routes with
2553-622: The Sebakwe River about 5.25 miles (8.45 km) northeast. It was a workers' compound township for Globe and Phoenix Mine established in 1894 with the forty stamp mill producing the first gold in August 1900. Sebakwe Village started serious developments as early as 1895. In 1895, the Sebakwe Post Office was established. After the post office separate African and European hospitals were established. On 5 November 1901
2664-434: The Sebakwe River about 5.25 miles (8.45 km) northeast. It was a workers' compound township for Globe and Phoenix Mine established in 1894 with the forty stamp mill producing the first gold in August 1900. Sebakwe Village started serious developments as early as 1895. In 1895, the Sebakwe Post Office was established. After the post office separate African and European hospitals were established. On 5 November 1901
2775-699: The Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers , bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the north, and Mozambique to the east. The capital and largest city is Harare , and the second largest is Bulawayo . A country of roughly 16.6 million people as per 2024 census, Zimbabwe's largest ethnic group are the Shona , who make up 80% of the population, followed by the Northern Ndebele and other smaller minorities . Zimbabwe has 16 official languages , with English, Shona , and Ndebele
2886-506: The Zimbabwe National Mining Museum is situated here. The National Mining Museum evolved from Kwekwe Mining Museum which was established in 1930. First houses at G&P Mine compound were log, mud and tin shacks. However the first Globe and Phoenix Gold Mine manager, Mr. H.A Piper's two roomed cabin built in 1894 using wood and reinforced cardboard survives and can be seen in the museum here. The house
2997-418: The Zimbabwe National Mining Museum is situated here. The National Mining Museum evolved from Kwekwe Mining Museum which was established in 1930. First houses at G&P Mine compound were log, mud and tin shacks. However the first Globe and Phoenix Gold Mine manager, Mr. H.A Piper's two roomed cabin built in 1894 using wood and reinforced cardboard survives and can be seen in the museum here. The house
3108-508: The general election following the end of white minority rule and has remained the country's dominant party since. He was the President of Zimbabwe from 1987, after converting the country's initial parliamentary system into a presidential one , until his resignation in 2017. Under Mugabe's authoritarian regime, the state security apparatus dominated the country and was responsible for widespread human rights violations. From 1997 to 2008
3219-715: The "humanitarian situation has improved in Zimbabwe since 2009, but conditions remain precarious for many people". A new constitution approved in the Zimbabwean constitutional referendum, 2013 curtails presidential powers. Mugabe was re-elected president in the July 2013 Zimbabwean general election which The Economist described as "rigged" and the Daily Telegraph as "stolen". The Movement for Democratic Change alleged massive fraud and tried to seek relief through
3330-606: The 11th century but was abandoned by the mid 15th century. From there, the Kingdom of Zimbabwe was established, followed by the Rozvi and Mutapa empires. The British South Africa Company of Cecil Rhodes demarcated the Rhodesia region in 1890 when they conquered Mashonaland and later in 1893 Matabeleland after the First Matabele War . Company rule ended in 1923 with the establishment of Southern Rhodesia as
3441-404: The 120 constituencies. Moyo participated in the elections despite the allegations and won a seat as an independent member of Parliament. Sebakwe 18°53′40″S 29°48′40″E / 18.8944°S 29.8111°E / -18.8944; 29.8111 Globe and Phoenix Mine ( G&P Mine ) is a gold mine in Zimbabwe . It is just outside Kwekwe CBD. G&P Mine was pegged on
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3552-571: The Arabs and Portugal. The Portuguese sought to monopolise this influence and began a series of wars which left the empire in near collapse in the early 17th century. As a direct response to increased European presence in the interior a new Shona state emerged, known as the Rozwi Empire . Relying on centuries of military, political and religious development, the Rozwi (meaning "destroyers") expelled
3663-499: The British government invited Muzorewa, Mugabe, and Nkomo to participate in a constitutional conference at Lancaster House . The purpose of the conference was to discuss and reach an agreement on the terms of an independence constitution, and provide for elections supervised under British authority allowing Zimbabwe Rhodesia to proceed to legal independence. With Lord Carrington, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of
3774-740: The CBD as a hundred metres. People in Kwekwe live in fear amid recent mishaps thought to have been caused by illegal gold panners' work. There are several tunnels beneath the city of Kwekwe forming a network with those from Gaika Mine . However city engineers have assured residents that city buildings are safe. They say illegal gold panners can only go as deep as levels 1 and 2. Levels 3 to 46 are covered by underground water and illegal gold panners have no capacity to access such levels. The tunnels are also too narrow to cause significant disturbances outside those depths. The longest tunnel that passes beneath
3885-637: The CBD as a hundred metres. People in Kwekwe live in fear amid recent mishaps thought to have been caused by illegal gold panners' work. There are several tunnels beneath the city of Kwekwe forming a network with those from Gaika Mine . However city engineers have assured residents that city buildings are safe. They say illegal gold panners can only go as deep as levels 1 and 2. Levels 3 to 46 are covered by underground water and illegal gold panners have no capacity to access such levels. The tunnels are also too narrow to cause significant disturbances outside those depths. The longest tunnel that passes beneath
3996-551: The CBD is 43 km long and 873 metres deep. This depth is level 26 and 27 which way below sea level posing no threat to city buildings. Zimbabwe This is an accepted version of this page Zimbabwe ( / z ɪ m ˈ b ɑː b w eɪ , - w i / ; Shona pronunciation: [zi.ᵐba.ɓwe] ), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe , is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa , between
4107-483: The CBD westwards. G&P Mine was originally known as King Solomon's Mines, and the biblical Ophir where the Queen of Sheba took 450 tablets of gold which she took to Jerusalem's King Solomon, hence the nicknames "Jewellers' Shop", "Lousy with Gold" and "Too rich to be mined". The first European men to see the Globe and Phoenix Reefs were Edward Thornton Pearson and Joseph Schukala. Edward Thornton Pearson pegged
4218-545: The Eastern Highlands. The country is mostly savanna , although the moist and mountainous Eastern Highlands support areas of tropical evergreen and hardwood forests. Trees found in the Eastern Highlands include teak , mahogany , enormous specimens of strangler fig , forest Newtonia , big leaf, white stinkwood , chirinda stinkwood, knobthorn and many others. In the low-lying parts of the country fever trees , mopane , combretum and baobabs abound. Much of
4329-438: The Globe and Phoenix reefs in September 1894, hence the name Globe and Phoenix Mine. Lionel Phillips paid £300 cash and 500 on £1 shares for the Globe Reef and £600 for the Phoenix Reef paid in gold sovereigns at Shepherds Beer Hall in Gwelo where many business transactions were done in those days. The Globe and Phoenix Mining Company was incorporated on 18 October 1896 with a capital of £175,000 in £1 shares. Que Que village
4440-630: The Ndebele peoples. He presented this concession to persuade the government of the United Kingdom to grant a royal charter to the company over Matabeleland, and its subject states such as Mashonaland as well. Rhodes used this document in 1890 to justify sending the Pioneer Column , a group of Europeans protected by well-armed British South Africa Police (BSAP) through Matabeleland and into Shona territory to establish Fort Salisbury (present-day Harare ), and thereby establish company rule over
4551-484: The Olympic Gold Mines NL (OGM) a holding company owning KweKwe Consolidated Gold Mines Pvt Ltd (Zimbabwe) (KCGM) which collectively trades as Globe and Phoenix Gold Mining Company Limited (GPGMCL). The holding company was bought from Delta Gold NL in 2002 by BioMetallurgical (GPGMCL) which is focused on the major new development of the Globe and Phoenix Mine. Over the past 12 years, the company acquired
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4662-411: The Olympic Gold Mines NL (OGM) a holding company owning KweKwe Consolidated Gold Mines Pvt Ltd (Zimbabwe) (KCGM) which collectively trades as Globe and Phoenix Gold Mining Company Limited (GPGMCL). The holding company was bought from Delta Gold NL in 2002 by BioMetallurgical (GPGMCL) which is focused on the major new development of the Globe and Phoenix Mine. Over the past 12 years, the company acquired
4773-616: The Phoenix reefs which was about 122 metres and followed the quartz down for 38 metres. Joseph Schukala pegged the Globe reefs which was over 200 metres long, with a maximum depth of 20 metres. Each man registered his own claim in Bulawayo in May 1894, but none of them had capital to exploit his claim. Legend says that Joseph Schukala once tried to sell his claim for a case of whisky. Lionel Phillips of Phillips Exploration Syndicate bought both
4884-804: The Portuguese from the Zimbabwean plateau in 1683. Around 1821 the Zulu general Mzilikazi of the Khumalo clan successfully rebelled against King Shaka and established his own clan, the Ndebele . The Ndebele fought their way northwards into the Transvaal , leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and beginning an era of widespread devastation known as the Mfecane . When Dutch trekboers converged on
4995-483: The Rhodes administration subdued the Ndebele and Shona groups and organised the land with a disproportionate bias favouring Europeans, thus displacing many indigenous peoples. The United Kingdom annexed Southern Rhodesia on 12 September 1923. Shortly after annexation, on 1 October 1923, the first constitution for the new Colony of Southern Rhodesia came into force. Under the new constitution, Southern Rhodesia became
5106-657: The Transvaal in 1836, they drove the tribe even further northward, with the assistance of Tswana Barolong warriors and Griqua commandos. By 1838 the Ndebele had conquered the Rozwi Empire, along with the other smaller Shona states, and reduced them to vassaldom . After losing their remaining South African lands in 1840, Mzilikazi and his tribe permanently settled in the southwest of present-day Zimbabwe in what became known as Matabeleland, establishing Bulawayo as their capital. Mzilikazi then organised his society into
5217-703: The UANC head, became prime minister and the country's name was changed to Zimbabwe Rhodesia. The Internal Settlement left control of the Rhodesian Security Forces , civil service, judiciary, and a third of parliament seats to whites. On 12 June, the United States Senate voted to lift economic pressure on the former Rhodesia. Following the fifth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting , held in Lusaka , Zambia, from 1 to 7 August in 1979,
5328-560: The United Kingdom, in the chair, these discussions were mounted from 10 September to 15 December in 1979, producing a total of 47 plenary sessions . On 21 December 1979, delegations from every major interest represented reached the Lancaster House Agreement , effectively ending the guerrilla war. On 11 December 1979, the Rhodesian House of Assembly voted 90 to nil to revert to British colonial status. With
5439-556: The United States enacted the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA). It came into effect in 2002 and froze credit to the Zimbabwean government. By 2003, the country's economy had collapsed. It is estimated that up to a quarter of Zimbabwe's 11 million people had fled the country. Three-quarters of the remaining Zimbabweans were living on less than one U.S. dollar a day. Following elections in 2005 ,
5550-467: The ZANU–PF party, which claimed 117 of the 120 contested seats. During the 1990s, students, trade unionists, and other workers often demonstrated to express their growing discontent with Mugabe and ZANU–PF party policies. In 1996, civil servants, nurses, and junior doctors went on strike over salary issues. The general health of the population also began to significantly decline; by 1997 an estimated 25% of
5661-472: The amount of wildlife. Woodland degradation and deforestation caused by population growth , urban expansion and use for fuel are major concerns and have led to erosion which diminishes the amount of fertile soil. Local farmers have been criticised by environmentalists for burning off vegetation to heat their tobacco barns. The country had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 6.31/10, ranking it 81st globally out of 172 countries. Zimbabwe
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#17328022208565772-514: The area. In 1893 and 1894, with the help of their new Maxim guns, the BSAP would go on to defeat the Ndebele in the First Matabele War . Rhodes additionally sought permission to negotiate similar concessions covering all territory between the Limpopo River and Lake Tanganyika , then known as "Zambesia". In accordance with the terms of aforementioned concessions and treaties, mass settlement
5883-603: The areas of living standards, public health (with a major cholera outbreak in December) and various basic affairs. During this period, NGOs took over from government as a primary provider of food during this period of food insecurity in Zimbabwe. A 2011 survey by Freedom House suggested that living conditions had improved since the power-sharing agreement. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated in its 2012–2013 planning document that
5994-528: The arrival of Christopher Soames , the new governor on 12 December 1979, Britain formally took control of Zimbabwe Rhodesia as the Colony of Southern Rhodesia. Britain lifted sanctions on 12 December and the United Nations on 16 December. During the elections of February 1980 , Mugabe and the ZANU party secured a landslide victory. Prince Charles , as the representative of Britain, formally granted independence to
6105-746: The central plateau receive frost in winter. The Zambezi valley is known for its extreme heat, and the Eastern Highlands usually experience cool temperatures and the highest rainfall in the country. The country's rainy season generally runs from late October to March, and the hot climate is moderated by increasing altitude. Zimbabwe is faced with recurring droughts. In 2019, at least 55 elephants died because of drought. Severe storms are rare. Zimbabwe contains seven terrestrial ecoregions: Kalahari acacia–baikiaea woodlands , Southern Africa bushveld , Southern miombo woodlands , Zambezian Baikiaea woodlands , Zambezian and mopane woodlands , Zambezian halophytics , and Eastern Zimbabwe montane forest-grassland mosaic in
6216-518: The country is covered by miombo woodland, dominated by brachystegia species and others. Among the numerous flowers and shrubs are hibiscus , flame lily , snake lily , spider lily , leonotis , cassia , tree wisteria and dombeya . There are around 350 species of mammals that can be found in Zimbabwe. There are also many snakes and lizards, over 500 bird species, and 131 fish species. Large parts of Zimbabwe were once covered by forests with abundant wildlife. Deforestation and poaching has reduced
6327-624: The country's leading export-producing sector. Some 58,000 independent black farmers have since experienced limited success in reviving the gutted cash crop sectors through efforts on a smaller scale. President Mugabe and the ZANU–PF party leadership found themselves beset by a wide range of international sanctions. In 2002, the nation was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations due to the reckless farm seizures and blatant election tampering . The following year, Zimbabwean officials voluntarily terminated its Commonwealth membership. In 2001,
6438-570: The country, setting aside large areas solely for the purchase of the white minority. This act, which led to rapidly rising inequality, became the subject of frequent calls for subsequent land reform. In 1953, in the face of African opposition, Britain consolidated the two Rhodesias with Nyasaland (Malawi) in the ill-fated Central African Federation , which Southern Rhodesia essentially dominated. Growing African nationalism and general dissent, particularly in Nyasaland, persuaded Britain to dissolve
6549-475: The country. In November 2017, the army led a coup d'état following the dismissal of Vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa , placing Mugabe under house arrest. The army denied that their actions constituted a coup . On 19 November 2017, ZANU–PF sacked Robert Mugabe as party leader and appointed former Vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa in his place. On 21 November 2017, Mugabe tendered his resignation prior to impeachment proceedings being completed. Although under
6660-559: The courts. In a surprising moment of candour at the ZANU–PF congress in December 2014, President Robert Mugabe accidentally let slip that the opposition had in fact won the contentious 2008 polls by an astounding 73%. After winning the election, the Mugabe ZANU–PF government re-instituted one party rule , doubled the civil service and, according to The Economist , embarked on "misrule and dazzling corruption". A 2017 study conducted by
6771-538: The deaths of at least three million Zimbabweans in 37 years. According to World Food Programme, over two million people are facing starvation because of the recent droughts the country is going through. In 2018, President Mnangagwa announced that his government would seek to rejoin the Commonwealth , which is as of 2023 conducting a fact-finding mission prior to asking the Secretary-General to issue
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#17328022208566882-526: The economy experienced consistent decline (and in the latter years, hyperinflation ), though it has since seen rapid growth after the use of currencies other than the Zimbabwean dollar was permitted. In 2017, in the wake of over a year of protests against his government as well as Zimbabwe's rapidly declining economy, a coup d'état resulted in Mugabe's resignation. Emmerson Mnangagwa has since served as Zimbabwe's president. The name "Zimbabwe" stems from
6993-501: The election results claiming voter fraud, and subsequently filed a petition to the Constitution Court of Zimbabwe. The court confirmed Mnangagwa's victory, making him the newly elected president after Mugabe. In December 2017 the website Zimbabwe News, calculating the cost of the Mugabe era using various statistics, said that at the time of independence in 1980, the country was growing economically at about five per cent
7104-467: The engine driver was not tempted by a herd of antelope to stop and shoot an animal for food, or visit a friend residing somewhere reachable in minutes. Kwekwe, a small fort based on the river of the same name, established soon after the Pioneer Column entered Fort Salisbury to occupy Mashonaland, had been a British South African Police post consisting of one officer, one senior non-commissioned officer, six European troopers and 15 African policemen. It
7215-466: The engine driver was not tempted by a herd of antelope to stop and shoot an animal for food, or visit a friend residing somewhere reachable in minutes. Kwekwe, a small fort based on the river of the same name, established soon after the Pioneer Column entered Fort Salisbury to occupy Mashonaland, had been a British South African Police post consisting of one officer, one senior non-commissioned officer, six European troopers and 15 African policemen. It
7326-536: The fact that Gaika Mine lies immediately South and Indarama Mine which lies immediately North of the Globe and Phoenix Gold Mining Company Limited decline Project, are the second and third largest gold producers in Kwekwe District respectively. Apart from Globe and Phoenix Mine, Globe and Phoenix Gold Mining Company Limited also owns John Bull Mine, Primrose Mine, Skeleton Mine, RO Mine, Vuntade Mine, Piper Moss Mine, Monte Christo Mine and ANZAC Mine, all in
7437-472: The fact that Gaika Mine lies immediately South and Indarama Mine which lies immediately North of the Globe and Phoenix Gold Mining Company Limited decline Project, are the second and third largest gold producers in Kwekwe District respectively. Apart from Globe and Phoenix Mine, Globe and Phoenix Gold Mining Company Limited also owns John Bull Mine, Primrose Mine, Skeleton Mine, RO Mine, Vuntade Mine, Piper Moss Mine, Monte Christo Mine and ANZAC Mine, all in
7548-410: The former to hold the office of prime minister. Due to ministerial differences between their respective political parties, the agreement was not fully implemented until 13 February 2009. By December 2010, Mugabe was threatening to completely expropriate remaining privately owned companies in Zimbabwe unless "western sanctions" were lifted. In late 2008, problems in Zimbabwe reached crisis proportions in
7659-463: The government initiated " Operation Murambatsvina ", an effort to crack down on illegal markets and slums emerging in towns and cities, leaving a substantial section of urban poor homeless. The Zimbabwean government has described the operation as an attempt to provide decent housing to the population, although according to critics such as Amnesty International , authorities have yet to properly substantiate their claims. On 29 March 2008, Zimbabwe held
7770-403: The government pressed ahead with its Fast Track Land Reform programme, a policy involving compulsory land acquisition aimed at redistributing land from the minority white population to the majority black population. Confiscations of white farmland, continuous droughts, and a serious drop in external finance and other support led to a sharp decline in agricultural exports, which were traditionally
7881-596: The hospital staff were also ill and Dr. Davey himself administered help and advice from his sick bed. Some patients were hospitalized in the Club Hall. Ten G&P Mine European staff and about three hundred African workers died. There were 8 deaths recorded for the month of October only with the 9th dying on 2 November 1918. Only one was a woman. Source: (Geni Records) The original G&P Mine in its lifetime produced over 4.2 million ounces of gold in its lifetime at an average grade of 27.6 grams per tonne. No wonder
7992-537: The hospital staff were also ill and Dr. Davey himself administered help and advice from his sick bed. Some patients were hospitalized in the Club Hall. Ten G&P Mine European staff and about three hundred African workers died. There were 8 deaths recorded for the month of October only with the 9th dying on 2 November 1918. Only one was a woman. Source: (Geni Records) The original G&P Mine in its lifetime produced over 4.2 million ounces of gold in its lifetime at an average grade of 27.6 grams per tonne. No wonder
8103-492: The majority mineral rights on the geological strike North of the Globe and Phoenix Mine. It intends to develop a decline from the ANZAC mine about 8 km north-north-west of Kwekwe . The plan is that the decline will pass along the geological strike and underneath over 100 old shafts and thousands of small workings from which several hundred thousand ounces were also mined from 1900 to the 1960s. The area has great potential on
8214-440: The majority mineral rights on the geological strike North of the Globe and Phoenix Mine. It intends to develop a decline from the ANZAC mine about 8 km north-north-west of Kwekwe . The plan is that the decline will pass along the geological strike and underneath over 100 old shafts and thousands of small workings from which several hundred thousand ounces were also mined from 1900 to the 1960s. The area has great potential on
8325-544: The middle Limpopo River valley in the 9th century before moving on to the Zimbabwean highlands. The Zimbabwean plateau became the centre of subsequent Shona states, beginning around the 10th century. Around the early 10th century, trade developed with Arab merchants on the Indian Ocean coast, helping to develop the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in the 11th century. This was the precursor to the Shona civilisations that dominated
8436-614: The militant communists. In March 1978, Smith reached an accord with three African leaders, led by Bishop Abel Muzorewa , who offered to leave the white population comfortably entrenched in exchange for the establishment of a biracial democracy. As a result of the Internal Settlement , elections were held in April 1979 , concluding with the United African National Council (UANC) carrying a majority of parliamentary seats. On 1 June 1979, Muzorewa,
8547-440: The mine. On 20 August 1902, Sebakwe was renamed Que Que and a village management board took over with the general manager of the Globe and Phoenix mine as first chairman. By 1919 Kwekwe was still known as Kwekwe Village and its grave yard was known as Kwekwe Village Cemetery. Had it not been that Fort Kwekwe was a government establishment the place called Kwekwe today would have remained Sebakwe because Sebakwe River
8658-438: The mine. On 20 August 1902, Sebakwe was renamed Que Que and a village management board took over with the general manager of the Globe and Phoenix mine as first chairman. By 1919 Kwekwe was still known as Kwekwe Village and its grave yard was known as Kwekwe Village Cemetery. Had it not been that Fort Kwekwe was a government establishment the place called Kwekwe today would have remained Sebakwe because Sebakwe River
8769-499: The modern-day Masvingo province. Archaeologist Peter Garlake claims that "Zimbabwe" represents a contracted form of dzimba-hwe , which means "venerated houses" in the Zezuru dialect of Shona and usually references chiefs' houses or graves. Zimbabwe was formerly known as Southern Rhodesia (1898), Rhodesia (1965), and Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979). The first recorded use of "Zimbabwe" as a term of national reference dates from 1960 as
8880-740: The most common. Zimbabwe is a member of the United Nations , the Southern African Development Community , the African Union , and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa . Beginning in the 9th century, during its late Iron Age , the Bantu people (who would become the ethnic Shona) built the city-state of Great Zimbabwe ; the city-state became one of the major African trade centres by
8991-485: The name Kwekwe , then spelt Que Que . G&P Mine, although it once produced the world's richest gold ore, has its palmy days over now. Other mineral found at the mine are Kermesite , Magnetite , Quartz and Stibnite . It is located a few hundred metres from the CBD westwards. G&P Mine was originally known as King Solomon's Mines, and the biblical Ophir where the Queen of Sheba took 450 tablets of gold which she took to Jerusalem's King Solomon, hence
9102-794: The new nation of Zimbabwe at a ceremony in Harare in April 1980. Zimbabwe's first president after its independence was Canaan Banana in what was originally a mainly ceremonial role as head of state . Mugabe was the country's first prime minister and head of government. In 1980, Samora Machel told Mugabe that Zimbabwe was the "Jewel of Africa" but added: "Don't tarnish it!". New names for 32 places were gazetted on 18 April 1982 and by February 1984, there had been 42 changes, which included three rivers (Umniati/ Munyati ; Lundi/ Runde ; Nuanetsi/ Mwenezi ), and several changes from colonial names (such as Salisbury/Harare; Enkeldoorn/ Chivhu ; Essexvale/ Esigodini ; Fort Victoria/ Masvingo ) Opposition to what
9213-598: The nicknames "Jewellers' Shop", "Lousy with Gold" and "Too rich to be mined". The first European men to see the Globe and Phoenix Reefs were Edward Thornton Pearson and Joseph Schukala. Edward Thornton Pearson pegged the Phoenix reefs which was about 122 metres and followed the quartz down for 38 metres. Joseph Schukala pegged the Globe reefs which was over 200 metres long, with a maximum depth of 20 metres. Each man registered his own claim in Bulawayo in May 1894, but none of them had capital to exploit his claim. Legend says that Joseph Schukala once tried to sell his claim for
9324-574: The number of deaths during the five-year Gukurahundi campaign ranged from 3,750 to 80,000. Thousands of others were tortured in military internment camps. The campaign officially ended in 1987 after Nkomo and Mugabe reached a unity agreement that merged their respective parties, creating the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front ( ZANU–PF ). Elections in March 1990 resulted in another victory for Mugabe and
9435-448: The organisation complied, imposing the first mandatory trade embargo on an autonomous state. These sanctions were expanded again in 1968. A civil war ensued when Joshua Nkomo 's Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) and Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), supported actively by communist powers and neighbouring African nations, initiated guerrilla operations against Rhodesia's predominantly white government. ZAPU
9546-424: The population had been infected by HIV in a pandemic that was affecting most of southern Africa. Land redistribution re-emerged as the main issue for the ZANU–PF government around 1997. Despite the existence of a "willing-buyer-willing-seller" land reform programme since the 1980s, the minority white Zimbabwean population of around 0.6% continued to hold 70% of the country's most fertile agricultural land. In 2000,
9657-406: The population would have been 31 million. Instead, as of 2018, it is about 13 million. The discrepancies were believed to be partly caused by death from starvation and disease, and partly due to decreased fertility. The life expectancy has halved, and deaths from politically motivated violence sponsored by the government exceed 200,000 since 1980. The Mugabe government has directly or indirectly caused
9768-450: The prime ministerial posts to form an executive president—a presidential system. His ZANU-PF party has won every election since independence—in the 1990 election the second-placed party, Edgar Tekere 's Zimbabwe Unity Movement (ZUM), obtained 20% of the vote. During the 1995 parliamentary elections, most opposition parties, including the ZUM, boycotted the voting, resulting in a near sweep by
9879-425: The railway line was connected with Salisbury ..Globe and Phoenix Railway Station.The Beira and Mashonaland Railway Company completed the rail link south between Salisbury and the Globe and Phoenix Station, later called QueQue Station in 1901. In 1902 the railway was connect to Bulawayo . Before the railway line came it took three days to reach Gweru by donkey drawn carts. Now the train took four hours as long as
9990-425: The railway line was connected with Salisbury ..Globe and Phoenix Railway Station.The Beira and Mashonaland Railway Company completed the rail link south between Salisbury and the Globe and Phoenix Station, later called QueQue Station in 1901. In 1902 the railway was connect to Bulawayo . Before the railway line came it took three days to reach Gweru by donkey drawn carts. Now the train took four hours as long as
10101-440: The region during the 13th to 15th centuries, evidenced by ruins at Great Zimbabwe , near Masvingo , and by other smaller sites. The main archaeological site used a unique dry stone architecture. The Kingdom of Mapungubwe was the first in a series of trading states which had developed in Zimbabwe by the time the first European explorers arrived from Portugal. These states traded gold, ivory, and copper for cloth and glass. By 1220,
10212-478: The ruling party. When the opposition returned to the polls in 2000, they won 57 seats, only five fewer than ZANU-PF. Presidential elections were again held in 2002 amid allegations of vote-rigging, intimidation and fraud. The 2005 Zimbabwe parliamentary elections were held on 31 March, and multiple claims of vote rigging, election fraud and intimidation were made by the Movement for Democratic Change party and Jonathan Moyo , calling for investigations into 32 of
10323-471: The same region. The majority of these mines have been virtually not been fully exploited since the 1960s and now have considerable potential under one network. GPGMCL priority is to reopen Globe and Phoenix Mine and generate thousands of jobs for local people including those currently illegally gold panning on Globe and GPGMCL claims and old mines. Kwekwe is infested with illegal gold panners and unlike other cities, in Kwekwe they operate from just as near
10434-470: The same region. The majority of these mines have been virtually not been fully exploited since the 1960s and now have considerable potential under one network. GPGMCL priority is to reopen Globe and Phoenix Mine and generate thousands of jobs for local people including those currently illegally gold panning on Globe and GPGMCL claims and old mines. Kwekwe is infested with illegal gold panners and unlike other cities, in Kwekwe they operate from just as near
10545-416: The site of ancient gold workings in 1894 by prospectors Edward Thornton Pearson and Joseph Schukala. The two men were shown this ancient mining place by a Shona native whose confidence they bought with two blankets. The head works of the mine still dominate Kwekwe City which was founded from the mine's compound township which was known as Sebakwe before merging with the then Fort Kwekwe and assuming
10656-501: The tag "Fort") to Sebakwe Village came by when the promise of the G&;P Mine proved the greater attraction {convert|9|mi|km} away. It was in 1898 the final relocation took place and the place but the name remained Sebakwe Village with Kwekwe being used by the BSAP for their police post. Because the government department had moved in, it was officially established as a settlement apart from
10767-399: The tag "Fort") to Sebakwe Village came by when the promise of the G&P Mine proved the greater attraction {convert|9|mi|km} away. It was in 1898 the final relocation took place and the place but the name remained Sebakwe Village with Kwekwe being used by the BSAP for their police post. Because the government department had moved in, it was officially established as a settlement apart from
10878-508: The union in 1963, forming three separate divisions. While multiracial democracy was finally introduced to Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Southern Rhodesians of European ancestry continued to enjoy minority rule . Following Zambian independence (effective from October 1964), Ian Smith 's Rhodesian Front government in Salisbury dropped the designation "Southern" in 1964 (once Northern Rhodesia had changed its name to Zambia , having
10989-422: The word Southern before the name Rhodesia became unnecessary and the country simply became known as Rhodesia afterwards). Intent on effectively repudiating the recently adopted British policy of " no independence before majority rule ", Smith issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965. This marked the first such course taken by a rebel British colony since
11100-449: The world's largest and most spectacular waterfalls, is located in the country's extreme northwest and is part of the Zambezi river. Over geological time Zimbabwe has experienced two major post- Gondwana erosion cycles (known as African and post-African), and a very subordinate Plio-Pleistocene cycle. Zimbabwe has a subtropical climate with many local variations. The southern areas are known for their heat and aridity, while parts of
11211-530: Was built in England and shipped to Zimbabwe via Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The manager used it as his house until 1902 when the mine built him a proper house they named "Phoenix House". He then used the structure as his office. The structure was proclaimed an historic building and National Monument in 1975. The place where Kwekwe stands today was originally called Sebakwe Village so named after
11322-413: Was built in England and shipped to Zimbabwe via Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The manager used it as his house until 1902 when the mine built him a proper house they named "Phoenix House". He then used the structure as his office. The structure was proclaimed an historic building and National Monument in 1975. The place where Kwekwe stands today was originally called Sebakwe Village so named after
11433-489: Was dependent on the mine for its water supply. because the better part of the villagers were mine workers here. October 1918 was a month G&P Mine did not want to remember due to the national pandemic “Flu”. Mirleen Atkinson, wife of former G&P Mine manager wrote that the 1918 flu pandemic which ran from January 1918 – December 1920 affected G&P Mine workers severely. Once upon those days out of four hundred underground workers, only nineteen reported for work. Most of
11544-505: Was encouraged, with the British maintaining control over labour as well as over precious metals and other mineral resources. In 1895, the BSAC adopted the name "Rhodesia" for the territory, in honour of Rhodes. In 1898 "Southern Rhodesia" became the official name for the region south of the Zambezi, which later adopted the name "Zimbabwe". The region to the north, administered separately,
11655-401: Was founded from the mine's compound township which was known as Sebakwe before merging with the then Fort Kwekwe and assuming the name Kwekwe , then spelt Que Que . G&P Mine, although it once produced the world's richest gold ore, has its palmy days over now. Other mineral found at the mine are Kermesite , Magnetite , Quartz and Stibnite . It is located a few hundred metres from
11766-586: Was incorporated on 18 October 1896 with a capital of £175,000 in £1 shares. Que Que village was dependent on the mine for its water supply. because the better part of the villagers were mine workers here. October 1918 was a month G&P Mine did not want to remember due to the national pandemic “Flu”. Mirleen Atkinson, wife of former G&P Mine manager wrote that the 1918 flu pandemic which ran from January 1918 – December 1920 affected G&P Mine workers severely. Once upon those days out of four hundred underground workers, only nineteen reported for work. Most of
11877-679: Was later termed Northern Rhodesia (present-day Zambia). Shortly after the disastrous Rhodes-sponsored Jameson Raid on the South African Republic , the Ndebele rebelled against white rule, led by their charismatic religious leader, Mlimo. The Second Matabele War of 1896–1897 lasted in Matabeleland until 1896, when Mlimo was assassinated by American scout Frederick Russell Burnham . Shona agitators staged unsuccessful revolts (known as Chimurenga ) against company rule during 1896 and 1897. Following these failed insurrections,
11988-424: Was perceived as a Shona takeover immediately erupted around Matabeleland. The Matabele unrest led to what has become known as Gukurahundi (Shona: 'the early rain which washes away the chaff before the spring rains'). The Fifth Brigade , a North Korean-trained elite unit that reported directly to Mugabe, entered Matabeleland and massacred thousands of civilians accused of supporting "dissidents". Estimates for
12099-491: Was situated at the banks of Kwekwe River , named after the que-que sound of croaking frogs in the river. It was not in any way connected to G&P Mine let alone being a police post. With the development of the Globe and Phoenix Mine, the few inhabitants of the Fort Kwekwe gradually drifted over to Sebakwe until there was no point in keeping the police post at Fort Kwekwe running. The relocation of Kwekwe (without
12210-430: Was situated at the banks of Kwekwe River , named after the que-que sound of croaking frogs in the river. It was not in any way connected to G&P Mine let alone being a police post. With the development of the Globe and Phoenix Mine, the few inhabitants of the Fort Kwekwe gradually drifted over to Sebakwe until there was no point in keeping the police post at Fort Kwekwe running. The relocation of Kwekwe (without
12321-654: Was supported by the Soviet Union , the Warsaw Pact and associated nations such as Cuba, and adopted a Marxist–Leninist ideology; ZANU meanwhile aligned itself with Maoism and the bloc headed by the People's Republic of China. Smith declared Rhodesia a republic in 1970, following the results of a referendum the previous year , but this went unrecognised internationally. Meanwhile, Rhodesia's internal conflict intensified, eventually forcing him to open negotiations with
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