116-507: The National Railways of Zimbabwe ( NRZ ), formerly Rhodesia Railways ( RR ), is a Bulawayo headquartered state-owned enterprise that operates the country's national railway system. It was established in 1893 and is governed by an Act of Parliament . It has a commercial-administrative center in Harare and a supply center in Gweru . The Zimbabwean railway system was largely constructed during
232-577: A state-owned daily newspaper, and its Sunday edition, The Sunday News , are published in Bulawayo. The Chronicle is the second-oldest newspaper in Zimbabwe, and along with The Herald , published in Harare, it is one of two major state-owned newspapers in the country. UMthunywa , a state-owned Ndebele -language newspaper, is also published in Bulawayo, where the majority of the population belongs to
348-474: A tropical or subtropical climate . The average annual temperature is 17.95 °C (64.3 °F), rather low for the tropics. This is due to its high altitude position and the prevalence of cool south-easterly airflow. There are three main seasons: a warm, wet summer from November to March/April; a cool, dry winter from May to August (corresponding to winter in the Southern Hemisphere); and
464-590: A 'heritage city', with its wide main streets refurbished and its Victorian architecture and industrial heritage preserved. Institutions such as the Bulawayo Railway Museum and Nesbitt Castle were restored. The city was also recognised as a centre of excellence in tertiary education and research, as the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe was formed and expanded and other colleges growth also accelerated. Since
580-559: A bidding process for the recapitalisation/privatisation of the company was initiated. Six companies successfully submitted their proposals. The winner of the process was the Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG), a consortium of Zimbabwean and South African companies. Subsequently, the bid was cancelled due to irregularities. In November 2018 a commuter service was revived in Bulawayo with one line. In 2021, commuter rail service in Harare
696-514: A dearth of employment opportunities outside the informal and public sector . In addition, the city's working-class residents are increasingly moving to nearby South Africa and Botswana , though they are readily replaced by less well-off rural migrants. However, despite over a decade of neglect, the city's infrastructure and human capital still compares favourably with cities in other parts of Africa and Latin America. It remains to be seen whether
812-546: A former mayor of Salisbury. Brown was originally from Iowa and joined the occupying British South Africa Company forces in the 1890s to collect specimens for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The southern portions of Harare have historically been more industrial areas, often home to most of its African population as well as some lower-class European-descended populations. Willowvale,
928-717: A hot dry period in early summer from late August to early November; and a warm wet period in the rest of the summer, early November to April. The hottest month is October, which is usually the height of the dry season. The average maximum temperature ranges from 21 °C (70 °F) in July to 30 °C (86 °F) in October. During the rainy season, daytime maxima are around 26 °C (79 °F). Nights are always cool, ranging from 8 °C (46 °F) in July to 16 °C (61 °F) in January. The city's average annual rainfall
1044-403: A lesser extent, Southern Europe . The rapid rise of motor vehicle ownership and the investment in road development greatly accelerated the outward sprawl of suburbs such as Alexandra Park and Mount Pleasant . At the same time, mostly black suburbs like Highfield suffered from overcrowding as their populations boomed. The optimism and prosperity of this period proved to be short-lived, as
1160-536: A number of projects unfinished. Another challenge to Harare's economy is the persistent emigration of highly educated and skilled residents to the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand, largely due to the economic downturn and political unrest. The city's brain drain , almost unprecedented compared to other emerging markets , has led to declining numbers of local entrepreneurs, an overstretched and declining middle class, and
1276-660: A plain that marks the Highveld of Zimbabwe and is close to the watershed between the Zambezi and Limpopo drainage basins. The land slopes gently downwards to the north and northwest. The southern side is hillier, and the land becomes more broken in the direction of the Matobo Hills to the south. Under the Köppen climate classification , Bulawayo features a hot semi-arid climate ( BSh ). Due to its relatively high altitude,
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#17327756187371392-408: A public hospital network , operates Bulawayo Central Hospital , Richard Morris Hospital, Lady Rodwell Maternity Hospital, and Robbie Gibson Infectious Diseases Hospital. Mpilo Central Hospital , is the largest hospital in Bulawayo, and the second-largest in Zimbabwe, and features a nursing school and midwifery school on its campus. Bulawayo is also home to Ingutsheni Hospital , which at 700 beds
1508-673: A significant number of the city's residents dependent on the city's informal minibus taxis. The rise of local ridesharing apps such as GTaxi and Hwindi has partly eased pressure on the city's transportation system, but such rides are still too expensive for most working people to use. In addition, bus services are also available but they are mostly geared towards intercity travel and recreation than journeys within Harare itself. The city's public transport system includes public and private sector operations. The former consists of ZUPCO buses. Privately owned public transport included licensed station wagons (nicknamed 'emergency taxis') until 1993, when
1624-652: A small military force of the British South Africa Company , and was named Fort Salisbury after the British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury . Company administrators demarcated the city and ran it until Southern Rhodesia achieved responsible government in 1923. Salisbury was thereafter the seat of the Southern Rhodesian (later Rhodesian ) government and, between 1953 and 1963, the capital of
1740-436: A small number of expats, mostly from neighbouring countries. The Central Business District has the widest roads. These were designed to accommodate the ox-drawn carts, and to allow them to make a turn in the street, that were used as a primary means of transport when the town was planned and erected. Bulawayo is nicknamed the "City of Kings" or "kontuthu ziyathunqa"—a Ndebele phrase for "smoke arising". This name arose from
1856-573: A total road network of about 2,100 kilometres; 70 percent was declared in 2017 in a poor condition. The R2 road links Bulawayo with the Capital Harare, and the Cape to Cairo Road links with the Gaborone and Lusaka . The Bulawayo railway station is the central point of the railway line that connects the cities of Lusaka and Gaborone (part of the Cape to Cairo Railway ), as well as being
1972-555: A trusted confidant of King Mzilikazi and leader of the Zwangendaba regiment, fought Prince Lobhengula as he did not believe that he was the legitimate heir to the throne. This was because Lobhengula was born to a Swazi mother, and Masuku felt that she was of a lesser class. At the time Lobengula was a prince fighting to ascend his father's throne. It was common at the time for people to refer to Bulawayo as Bulawayo UmntwaneNkosi , "a place where they are fighting or rising against
2088-506: A warm to hot, dry season in September/October. Daily temperature ranges are about 7–22 °C (45–72 °F) in July (the coldest month), about 15–29 °C (59–84 °F) in October (the hottest month) and about 16–26 °C (61–79 °F) in January (midsummer). The hottest year on record was 1914 with 19.73 °C (67.5 °F) and the coldest year was 1965 with 17.13 °C (62.8 °F). The average annual rainfall
2204-552: Is 594 mm ( 23 + 3 ⁄ 8 in), which supports a natural vegetation of open woodland, dominated by Combretum and Terminalia trees. Most rain falls in the December to February period, while June to August is usually rainless. Being close to the Kalahari Desert , Bulawayo is vulnerable to droughts and rainfall tends to vary sharply from one year to another. In 1978, 888 mm (35 in) of rain fell in
2320-513: Is about 825 mm (32.5 in) in the southwest, rising to 855 mm (33.7 in) on the higher land of the northeast (from around Borrowdale to Glen Lorne). Very little rain typically falls during the period of May to September, although sporadic showers occur most years. Rainfall varies a great deal from year to year and follows cycles of wet and dry periods from 7 to 10 years long. Records begin in October 1890 but all three Harare stations stopped reporting in early 2004. The climate supports
2436-490: Is also economically significant, as is the trade of precious minerals such as gold , diamonds and platinum . Early investor optimism following the inauguration of the Mnangagwa government in 2017 has since largely subsided due to the slow pace of reforms aimed at making Harare and Zimbabwe more business-friendly. The economy suffered high inflation and frequent power outages in 2019, which further hampered investment, and
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#17327756187372552-502: Is also home to many Ndebele and Kalanga people as well. Roughly 25,000 white Zimbabweans also live in the Harare metro area. The city sits on one of the higher parts of the Highveld plateau of Zimbabwe at an elevation of 1,483 metres (4,865 feet). The original landscape could be described as a "parkland" or wild place. The soils of Harare are varied: the northern and central areas largely have reddish brown, granular clay; some of
2668-565: Is also the hub of Zimbabwe's rail network and the headquarters of the National Railways of Zimbabwe . Bulawayo's central business district (CBD) covers 5.4 km (2.1 sq mi) in the heart of the city and is surrounded by numerous suburbs. The majority of the city's population belongs to the Ndebele people , with minorities of Shona and other groups. Bulawayo is home to over a dozen colleges and universities, most notably
2784-520: Is concentrated in the wealthier northern suburbs, particularly Borrowdale. Harare is a relatively young city, mostly growing during the country's post- Federation and post-independence booms. It was also segregated along racial and class lines until 1976. As a result, Harare today is a mostly low-density urban area geared towards private motorists, lacking a convenient public transportation system. Very little investment has been made to develop an effective and integrated public transportation system, leaving
2900-716: Is crossed by Transafrican Highway 9 (TAH 9) , which connects it to the cities of Lusaka and Beira . The largest airport in Zimbabwe, the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport , serves Harare. The University of Zimbabwe is located in Harare. Founded in 1952, the university is the country's oldest and largest, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The student population stands at 20,399, with 17,718 undergraduate students and 2,681 postgraduate students. Harare has long been regarded as Zimbabwe's sporting capital due to its role in developing Zimbabwean sport,
3016-422: Is in relatively good supply, while diesel must be imported and electricity shortages are common. Further, the company is seriously indebted, making it impossible to solve this situation without external help. Goods transport has declined, from 18 million tonnes in 1998 to 2 million tonnes in 2010. In 2019, it was reported that train drivers were resorting to using WhatsApp messages to communicate, due to
3132-467: Is one of two cities in Zimbabwe that are also provinces . Bulawayo was founded by a group led by Gundwane Ndiweni around 1840 as the kraal of Mzilikazi , the Ndebele king and was known as Gibixhegu. His son, Lobengula , succeeded him in the 1860s, and changed the name to koBulawayo and ruled from Bulawayo until 1893, when the settlement was captured by British South Africa Company soldiers during
3248-484: Is perhaps best known for the 1988 Willowgate scandal, which implicated several members of the ZANU-PF party in a scheme where automobiles were illegally resold by various government officials. Harare's south-west also contains many high-density townships, which were set up by the government from the 1930s onwards. For example, Highfield , established in 1930, is the second-oldest high-density suburb in Harare. Highfield
3364-660: Is seen by investors in the city who admire the already-available infrastructure; the huge workforce; and Bulawayo as a potential business hub. It is set to once again contribute greatly to the economy of Zimbabwe. These include: Bulawayo is governed by the Bulawayo City Council , which is headed by the Mayor of Bulawayo . Bulawayo has museums of national importance, including the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe , National Gallery, Bulawayo and
3480-470: Is situated in north-eastern Zimbabwe in the country's Mashonaland region. Harare is a metropolitan province which also incorporates the municipalities of Chitungwiza and Epworth . The city sits on a plateau at an elevation of 1,483 metres (4,865 feet ) above sea level , and its climate falls into the subtropical highland category. The city was founded in 1890 by the Pioneer Column ,
3596-798: Is the New Reserve Bank Tower , one of the city's major landmarks. Harare was the location of several international summits during this period, such as the 8th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in September 1986 and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1991 . The latter produced the Harare Declaration , dictating the membership criteria of the Commonwealth . In 1998, Harare was
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3712-528: Is the largest psychiatric hospital in Zimbabwe. Other hospitals in Bulawayo include All Saints Children's Hospital, Hillside Hospital, Mater Dei Hospital , the Nervous Disorders Hospital, St Francis Hospital and Thorngrove Isolation Hospital. In Bulawayo, there are 128 primary and 48 secondary schools. Bulawayo is home to a number of colleges and universities . The National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe, ( NUST ),
3828-621: Is the second largest city in Zimbabwe , and the largest city in the country's Matabeleland region. The city's population is disputed; the 2022 census listed it at 665,940, while the Bulawayo City Council claimed it to be about 1.2 million. Bulawayo covers an area of 546 square kilometres (211 square miles) in the western part of the country, along the Matsheumhlope River. Along with the capital Harare , Bulawayo
3944-562: The Beira & Mashonaland Railway (also founded in 1900), which merged on October 1, 1927 with the MRC. Finally, MRC itself would be absorbed by Rhodesia Railways Ltd on March 31, 1937. In 1938 the company owned 236 locomotives , 2 railcars , 360 coaches and 4364 goods wagons. On April 1, 1947 Rhodesia Railways Ltd (RR) becomes state-owned, retaining the name Rhodesia Railways. The route from Plumtree to Mafeking , crossing Bechuanaland (which
4060-515: The Bulawayo Railway Museum . Bulawayo also hosts an arts and culture festival annually in September, the Intwasa Arts Festival. There are a number of parks in Bulawayo, including: Bulawayo is located in the south west of Zimbabwe. It is in the middle of the savanna country. It has four seasons, with rains starting in late October to about March. Coldest months being May and June with July being cold and windy. The city sits on
4176-965: The Central African Federation . It retained the name Salisbury until 1982 when it was renamed Harare on the second anniversary of Zimbabwe's independence from the United Kingdom . The national parliament moved out of Harare upon completion of the New Parliament of Zimbabwe in Mount Hampden in April 2022. The commercial capital of Zimbabwe, Harare has experienced recent economic turbulence. However, it remains an important centre of commerce and government , as well as finance , real estate , manufacturing , healthcare , education , art , culture , tourism , agriculture , mining and regional affairs. Harare has
4292-499: The English Premier League and elsewhere. Cricket and rugby are also popular sports with those from middle-class backgrounds. In 1995, Harare hosted most of the sixth All-Africa Games , sharing the event with other Zimbabwean cities such as Bulawayo and Chitungwiza . It hosted some of the matches of 2003 Cricket World Cup , which was hosted jointly by Kenya , South Africa and Zimbabwe . Harare also hosted
4408-593: The First Matabele War . That year, the first white settlers arrived and rebuilt the town. The town was besieged by Ndebele warriors during the Second Matabele War . Bulawayo attained municipality status in 1897, and city status in 1943. Historically, Bulawayo has been the principal industrial centre of Zimbabwe; its factories produce cars and car products, building materials, electronic products, textiles, furniture, and food products. Bulawayo
4524-744: The Garratt locomotive . In June 1976, 100 of its 109 steam locomotives were Garratts. For operational purposes, Rhodesia Railways was divided into two areas: those lines north-east of Gwelo fell into the Eastern Area, with all other lines in the Southern Area. On July 1, 1979, the RR became the Zimbabwe Rhodesian Railways, and the following year (May 1), it gained its current name, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). In 1983,
4640-719: The King's Road . It is known as Harare's legal district, home to the Harare Magistrate's Court, the city's central library, and the ZANU-PF building, along with numerous law offices. The neighbourhood also lends its name to the eponymous book by Petina Gappah published in 2016. The northern and north-eastern suburbs of Harare are generally home to its more affluent residents, including former president Robert Mugabe , who lived in Borrowdale Brooke. These northern suburbs are often referred to as "dales" because of
4756-613: The National University of Science and Technology , Bulawayo Polytechnic College, Zimbabwe School of Mines , Hillside Teachers College, and the United College of Education. The Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe , formerly the National Museum, is located in Bulawayo. The city is close to tourist sites such as Matobo National Park and the Khami World Heritage Site . The city was founded by
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4872-458: The Ndebele people . Private online publications like Bulawayo24 News and B-Metro are also based in Bulawayo. Harare Harare ( / h ə ˈ r ɑːr eɪ / hə- RAR -ay ), formerly Salisbury , is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe . The city proper has an area of 982.3 km (379.3 sq mi), a population of 1,849,600 as of the 2022 census and an estimated 2,487,209 people in its metropolitan province. The city
4988-487: The United Kingdom , Canada and Australia . Public service concerns have become steadily more acute, with particular concern in the health sector from a growing shortage of experienced doctors and nurses. As a result, the city faced an avoidable cholera outbreak in 2008. Though the city is the centre of the southern population generally categorized as the Matebele, the population includes various ethnicities, as well as
5104-569: The Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences , are located here. Rotten Row is a sub-district of downtown Harare that begins at the intersection of Prince Edward Street and Samora Machel Avenue and runs to the flyover where it borders Mbare on Cripps Road. Rotten Row was named after a road in London of the same name. The name "Rotten Row" is an altered form of the French phrase "Route du Roi,"
5220-554: The 1970s and the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project which would put an end to the water issue in Matabeleland was drafted; however, this project was put on hold soon after independence. These allegations have all been refuted by national authorities. The city still contains the bulk of Zimbabwe's heavy industry and food processing capability. Like many parts of the country, Bulawayo has for
5336-483: The 2000s, but since the Great Recession it has stabilised and experienced significant population growth and uneven economic growth. There has nonetheless been substantial international investment and speculation in the city's financial and property markets. Development on the urban fringes of the city has occurred in areas such as Borrowdale , Glen Lorne, The Grange , Mount Pleasant Heights , as well as in
5452-592: The 20th century. NRZ's history begins with the creation of the Bechuanaland Railway Company on May 24, 1893. It was renamed Rhodesia Railways Ltd (RR) on July 1, 1899. At the same time, on April 13, 1897, the Mashonaland Railway Company (MRC) was founded. On March 1, 1905 the small Ayrshire Gold Mine & Lomangundi Railway Company — which had been founded in 1900 — merged with MRC. A similar event would occur with
5568-470: The BSAC sent additional troops from Salisbury and Fort Victoria (now Harare and Masvingo respectively) 500 kilometres (300 miles) to the north, and from Kimberley and Mafeking 1,000 km (600 mi) to the south. Once the relief forces arrived in late May 1896, the siege was broken. An estimated 50,000 Ndebele retreated into their stronghold of the Matobo Hills near Bulawayo. Not until October 1896 did
5684-519: The Federal years as new markets opened in Malawi and Zambia . However, Bulawayo trailed the development of other cities notably, Johannesburg , Harare and Cape Town during the same period. In 1943, Bulawayo received city status. By 1992, population decline and slow growth were beginning to occur which disproportionately affected heavy industry. In response, Bulawayo sought to re-invent itself as
5800-464: The Federation collapsed, which hindered the city's prosperity. The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was dissolved in 1963. Ian Smith 's Rhodesian Front government declared Rhodesia independent from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965, with Salisbury retained as the capital. Smith's Rhodesia later became the short-lived state of Zimbabwe Rhodesia ; it was not until 18 April 1980 that
5916-834: The Kopje Africa Unity Square, the Harare Gardens, the National Gallery, the August House parliamentary buildings, and the National Archives . Causeway , a road and sub-neighbourhood of central Harare, is a busy workaday area that acts as the city's "embassy row" (along with Belgravia to the north-east) in which numerous embassies, diplomatic missions, research institutes, and other international organizations are concentrated. Additionally, many government ministries and museums, such as
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#17327756187376032-471: The Ndebele finally surrender their arms to the invaders. By the late 1930s, Bulawayo was no longer the country's biggest city. Influence and activity moved eastwards to the other cities, especially Salisbury, a trend which continues up to the present day. Despite this, after the Second World War , prosperity and population growth revived, as the city became an industrial powerhouse, peaking during
6148-415: The Ndebele king Lobengula , the son of King Mzilikazi, born of Matshobana, who settled in modern-day Zimbabwe around the 1840s. This followed the Ndebele people's great trek from northern Kwazulu . The name Bulawayo comes from the Ndebele word bulala and it translates to "the one to be killed". It is thought that at the time of the formation of the city there was a civil war. Mbiko ka Madlenya Masuku,
6264-599: The Pumula and Robert Sinyoka suburbs show that well water maintain levels of coliform higher than the Standards Association of Zimbabwe and World Health Organization give. Bulawayo is home to the Queens Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club , two of the three grounds in Zimbabwe where test match cricket has been played. Bulawayo Golf Club, the first golf club in the city and country,
6380-657: The United College of Education for primary education. Bulawayo is home to a number of institutes of technology and vocational colleges , including Zimbabwe School of Mines , Westgate Industrial Training College, and the Zimbabwe Theological College. In addition companies such as the National Railways of Zimbabwe NRZ and Zimbabwe Electricity and Supply Authority ZESA offer apprenticeship training for qualifying students who then become certified artisans upon completion. The Chronicle ,
6496-464: The United Kingdom ), Chinese and South African buyers. Despite gentrification and speculation, the country's and city's unemployment rates remain high. In 2020, Harare was classified as a Gamma city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network . As of 2012, Harare has a population of 2,123,132. Over 90% of people in Harare are Shona-speaking people of African descent . Harare
6612-616: The ZANU PF government in Harare and the MDC run Bulawayo council, for instance, the National railways of Zimbabwe (headquarters in Bulawayo) is a government owned entity and, as such, should have been thriving had it not been for embezzlement of funds by company executives who are believed to be Shona. The water issue is not new and had brought about the "help a thirsty Matabele" initiative of
6728-409: The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair being hosted in Bulawayo. It had a large manufacturing presence with large industries based here before Zimbabwe's economic decline. However, some of these companies have either moved operations to Harare or have closed down — which has crippled Bulawayo's economy. Most factories are deserted and the infrastructure has since been left to deteriorate. The reason for
6844-482: The age and state of repair of passenger carriages, as well as speed restrictions on some sections of track as the reason for the continued suspension, although are looking to reintroduce services at some point in the future. NRZ operates about 4,225 km (2,600 miles) of railway lines, all 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) gauge, providing freight services. This gauge is common for most countries in southern Africa. NRZ has an important transit function in
6960-465: The capital. Bougainvillea is prevalent in Harare as well. Some trees from Northern Hemisphere middle latitudes are also cultivated, including American sweetgum , English oak , Japanese oak and Spanish oak . Harare is Zimbabwe's leading financial, commercial, and communications centre, as well as an international trade centre for tobacco , maize , cotton , and citrus fruits. Manufacturing of products including textiles , steel , and chemicals
7076-429: The central business district, at a cost of $ 15,000,000. In November 2017, the biggest demonstration in the history of the Republic of Zimbabwe was held in Harare, which led to the forced resignation of the long-serving 93-year-old President of Zimbabwe , Robert Mugabe , an event which was part of the first successful coup in Zimbabwe. Since 2000, Harare has experienced periods of spectacular decline, particularly in
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#17327756187377192-436: The city has fairly moderate temperatures despite lying in the tropics. The mean annual temperature is 19.16 °C (66.49 °F), similar to Pretoria at a similar altitude but almost 600 kilometres or 370 miles further south. As with much of southern and eastern Zimbabwe, Bulawayo is cooled by a prevailing southeasterly airflow most of the year and experiences three broad seasons: a dry, cool winter season from May to August;
7308-458: The city's historically large industrial base. The large cooling towers of the coal-powered electricity generating plant situated in the city centre once used to exhaust steam and smoke over the city. The population of Bulawayo, according to the 2012 national census, stood at 653,337; however, this figure has been rejected by the Bulawayo City Council authority with Councillor Martin Moyo claiming an anti-Bulawayo conspiracy to under-fund projects in
7424-419: The city. The vast majority of Bulawayo City residents were Black African with 97.96%. Other ethnic groups in the city were Coloured (0.9%), White (0.75%), Asian (0.22%). Members of other ethnic groups comprised 0.02%, and 0.14% of the city did not state their ethnic group. There were 4,926 White Zimbabweans living in Bulawayo in 2012. Bulawayo was known as the industrial hub of Zimbabwe, leading to
7540-417: The city. In May 2006, Zimbabwean newspaper Financial Gazette described the city in an editorial as a "sunshine city-turned-sewage farm". In 2009, Harare was voted the world's toughest city to live in according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's livability poll, which factors in stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. The situation was unchanged in 2011, according to
7656-406: The club with the most titles in Zimbabwean football . The Pioneer Column , a military volunteer force of settlers organised by Cecil Rhodes , founded the city on 12 September 1890 as a fort. They originally named the city Fort Salisbury after The 3rd Marquess of Salisbury , then- Prime Minister of the United Kingdom , and it subsequently became known simply as Salisbury. The Salisbury Polo Club
7772-537: The collapse of several institutions, particularly in the textile industry. In the early 21st century, Harare was adversely affected by the political and economic crises that plagued Zimbabwe, particularly following the contested 2002 presidential election and 2005 parliamentary elections. The elected council was replaced by a government-appointed commission due to alleged inefficiency. Still, essential services such as rubbish collection and street repairs rapidly worsened, and are now virtually non-existent in poorer parts of
7888-452: The common suffix "-dale" found in some suburbs such as Avondale, Greendale, and Borrowdale. The dwellings are mostly low-density homes of 3 bedrooms or more, and these are usually occupied by families. Borrowdale in particular is home to some of the most extensive real estate developments in the city. The north-western suburb of Emerald Hill is named so either due to the green colour of the tree-covered hill or its Irish connections — many of
8004-416: The country was internationally recognised as independent as the Republic of Zimbabwe . The city initially boomed under a wave of optimism and investment that followed the country's independence in 1980. The name of the city was changed to Harare on 18 April 1982, the second anniversary of Zimbabwean independence, taking its name from the village near Harare Kopje of the Shona chief Neharawa, whose nickname
8120-828: The current government can entice its diverse and well-educated Zimbabwean diaspora , numbering some 4 to 7 million people, to invest in the economy, let alone consider returning. Locally produced art, handicrafts and souvenirs can be purchased at locations including Doon Estate, Uwminsdale, Avondale Market and Mbare Musika. Msasa Park and Umwinsdale in particular host a number of galleries that produce high-quality Shona soapstone sculptures and textiles, such as Patrick Mavros Studios, which has another gallery in Knightsbridge , London . International brands are generally less common in Harare than in European cities. However, conventional and luxury shopping can be found on Fife Avenue, Sam Nujoma (Union) Avenue, Arundel Village, Avondale, Borrowdale, Eastgate and Westgate. Virtually all luxury shopping
8236-791: The de facto day-to-day form of transport relied upon by the majority of Harare's population. As of May 2023, Harare is not served by any passenger rail service. The National Railways of Zimbabwe previously operated daily overnight passenger train services to Mutare and Bulawayo using the Beira–Bulawayo railway . Long-distance rail service was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has not been restarted. Between 2001 and 2006, three commuter rail routes operated in Harare, serving Tynwald, Mufakose and Ruwa . These commuter rail routes, nicknamed 'Freedom Trains', were reintroduced in 2021, but were suspended again in November 2022 due to payment disputes with ZUPCO . Long-distance bus services link Harare to most parts of Zimbabwe. The city
8352-498: The de-industrialization has largely been political, with some factories like Goldstar Sugars removing machinery to open new factories in Harare. When the Zimbabwean government passed indigenisation laws, some successful businesses were taken over by ZANU–PF supporters, only to close down a few years later. Many locals argue that it is because of marginalisation they experience against the government due to political tensions with
8468-529: The electrification of a 305 kilometres (190 mi) section between Harare and Dabuka began. The first electric convoy circulated on October 22, 1983, with the completion of works taking place two years later. In 1987, the NRZ renounced ownership of Botswana's interior lines (an act left over from the colonial period), giving rise to that country's state-owned railway, the Botswana Railways . In 1996,
8584-471: The expense of other Zimbabwean cities such as Gweru and particularly Bulawayo , which is increasingly characterized by stagnation and high unemployment due to the collapse of many of its heavy industries. Today, Harare's property market remains highly priced, more so than regional cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town . The top end of the market is completely dominated by wealthy or dual-citizen Zimbabweans (see Zimbabwean diaspora and Zimbabweans in
8700-474: The following passenger services were operated. Steam locomotives are still used in Zimbabwe; they have proven so popular with tourists that there are plans to refurbish several more steam locomotives. However, funding is constrained, and diesel-hauled freight transport is a higher priority. Some steam train excursions operate as of 2023 in the vicinity of Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls – Bulawayo section Bulawayo – Plumtree section In 1911 Rhodesia Railways
8816-406: The government began to replace them with licensed buses and minibuses, referred to officially as 'commuter omnibuses'. Harare has two kinds of taxis, metered taxis and the much more ubiquitous share taxis or 'kombis'. Unlike many other cities, metered taxis generally do not drive around the city looking for passengers and instead must be called and ordered to a destination. The minibus "taxis" are
8932-401: The government of Zimbabwe established a privatised concession to New Limpopo Projects Investments Ltd (NLPI) to build a new link between Bulawayo and Beitbridge, thus providing a more direct rail link with South Africa. NLPI founded Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway Ltd to operate the new link. The line opened on July 15, 1999. In 1997, the deregulation of the transport industry took place, removing
9048-559: The highest population increase and urban development of any major Zimbabwean city since 2000, with other cities such as Bulawayo , Gweru , and Mutare largely stagnating during the same period. Beginning in 2006, the city's growth extended into its northern and western fringes, beyond the city's urban growth boundary . Predictions that by 2025 the metropolitan area population will reach 4 to 5 million have sparked concerns over unchecked sprawl and unregulated development. The concentration of real estate development in Harare has also come at
9164-526: The host city of the 8th Assembly of the World Council of Churches . However, by 1992, Harare began to experience an economic downturn and the government responded by enacting neoliberal reforms. These policies provoked a boom in banking , finance and agriculture, but also led to significant job losses in manufacturing , thereby greatly increasing unemployment and income inequality . Domestic firms struggled to compete with foreign imports, leading to
9280-506: The immediate aftermath of the Second World War , Salisbury expanded rapidly, boosted by its designation as the capital of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland . This growth ushered in a wave of liberalism , investment and developmentalism from 1953 to 1963, transforming the city's skyline in the process. This was accompanied by significant post-war immigration by White people, primarily from Great Britain , Southern Africa and, to
9396-410: The late 20th century, Bulawayo has suffered a sharp fall in living standards coinciding with the protracted economic crisis affecting the country. The main challenges the city faces include underinvestment, declining infrastructure , de-industrialisation and the effects of corruption and nepotism. Much of the city's educated workers have migrated south to neighbouring South Africa or further afield to
9512-518: The likelihood of mass action against the government by driving people out of the cities. The government claimed its actions were necessitated by a rise of criminality and disease. This was followed by Operation Garikayi/Hlalani Kuhle (Operation "Better Living") a year later, which consisted of building poor-quality concrete housing. In late March 2010, Harare's Joina City Tower was finally opened after fourteen years of delayed construction, marketed as 'Harare's New Pride'. Initially, uptake of space in
9628-471: The monopoly of the sector held by NRZ, a fact that led the company to enter into deep decline and accumulate increasing losses. The NRZ has suffered from the general decline of the country's economy. Neglect of maintenance, lacking spare parts, and overdue replacement of equipment have led to a situation were only part of the network is in good condition and equipment problems have led to reduced service. Steam locomotives have been reintroduced since 2004 as coal
9744-582: The natural vegetation of open woodland. The most common tree of the local region is the msasa or Brachystegia spiciformis whose wine-red leaves are most visible in the city in late August. Two introduced species of trees, the jacaranda and the flamboyant from South America and Madagascar respectively, were introduced during the colonial era and contribute to the city's colour palette with their lilac and red blossoms. The two species flower in October/November and are planted on alternating streets in
9860-490: The new suburbs of Hogerty Hill, Shawasha Hills, Bloomingdale and Westlea. Urban sprawl has also expanded into the nearby areas of Mount Hampden , Ruwa and Norton. In addition, inner city areas such as Avondale , Eastlea, Belgravia, Newlands and Milton Park have seen increased gentrification driven by speculation from expat Zimbabweans. This speculation has also attracted other foreign buyers, resulting in high property prices and widespread rent increases. Harare sustained
9976-499: The overwhelming increase in population versus the static and sometimes decreasing capacity of the reserve dams. The geographical factors causing water scarcity are rising temperatures, the area's high elevation and the arid environment of Matabeleland . Environmental and sanitation circumstances have detrimental effects on water quality. Sources such as groundwater and tap water are subject to pollution due to waste from burst sewers contaminating them. Samples taken from well water from
10092-399: The past ten years seen a huge drop in service delivery and an increase in unemployment, with many who can opting to seek better prospects abroad. Many people resorted to farming, mining, and the black market for sustenance, while others depended on the little foreign currency that would be sent by family in other countries. However, with inauguration of the Mnangagwa government, a new approach
10208-415: The poor implementation of adequate monetary reforms alongside deficit reduction attempts had a similar effect. Although the government has repeatedly stressed its commitments to improving transparency, increasing the ease of doing business, and fighting corruption, progress remains limited under the Mnangagwa administration. Harare experienced a real estate boom in the 2000s and early 2010s, particularly in
10324-511: The prince". The city of Bulawayo coincidentally has a similar name to the capital of the great Zulu warrior king Shaka ka Senzangakhona in Kwazulu , where Mzilikazi and his Khumalo clan and other Nguni people came from. In the 1860s, the city was influenced by European intrigue. Many colonial powers cast covetous eyes on Bulawayo and the land surrounding it because of its strategic location. Britain made skilful use of private initiative in
10440-414: The range and quality of its sporting events and venues, and its high rates of spectatorship and participation. The city is also home to more professional sports teams competing at the national and international levels than any other Zimbabwean city. Football is the most popular sport in Harare, particularly among working-class residents, with the city producing many footballers who have gone on to play in
10556-455: The roads in the suburb have Irish names, such as Dublin , Belfast , Wicklow, and Cork. To the east of Harare's city center, notable suburbs include Arcadia , Newlands , Arlington, and others. Newlands was named by Colin Duff, Zimbabwe's agricultural secretary in the 1920s. Arlington is a newer suburb adjacent to Harare International Airport and was previously owned by William Harvey Brown,
10672-538: The ruins. On 4 November 1893, Leander Starr Jameson declared Bulawayo a settlement under the rule of the BSAC. Cecil Rhodes ordered the new settlement to be founded on the ruins of Lobengula's royal kraal, a typical action by a conquering power. This is where the State House stands today. In 1897, the new town of Bulawayo acquired the status of municipality in the British colonial system, and Lt. Col. Harry White
10788-537: The same poll. In May 2005, the Zimbabwean government demolished shanties, illegal vending sites, and backyard cottages in Harare, Epworth and other cities in Operation Murambatsvina ("Drive Out Trash"). It was widely alleged that the true purpose of the campaign was to make sure shantie towns would not develop in any urban areas that might favor the Movement for Democratic Change , and to reduce
10904-540: The second largest university in Zimbabwe, was established in Bulawayo in 1991. Solusi University , a Seventh-day Adventist institution established in Bulawayo in 1894, gained university status in 1994. The Bulawayo Polytechnic College offers tertiary training for students who have completed GCE O Level and A Level education. It issues national certificates NC , diplomas and higher national diplomas HND certificates. Bulawayo has two specialist teacher training colleges: Hillside Teachers College for secondary education and
11020-609: The second-highest number of embassies in Southern Africa and serves as the location of the African headquarters of the World Health Organization , which it shares with Brazzaville . Harare has hosted multiple international conferences and events, including the 1995 All-Africa Games and the 2003 Cricket World Cup . In 2018, Harare was ranked as a Gamma World City . It is also home to Dynamos FC ,
11136-483: The shape of Cecil Rhodes and the Chartered Company to disarm the suspicion of her rivals. Lobengula once described Britain as a chameleon and himself as the fly. During the 1893 First Matabele War , British South Africa Company (BSAC) troops invaded and forced King Lobengula to evacuate his followers, after first detonating munitions and setting fire to the town. BSAC troops and white settlers occupied
11252-431: The siege, conditions in Bulawayo quickly deteriorated. By day, settlers could go to homes and buildings in the town, but at night they were forced to seek shelter in the much smaller laager. Nearly 1,000 women and children were crowded into the small area and false alarms of attacks were common. The Ndebele neglected to cut the telegraph lines connecting Bulawayo to Mafikeng . The settlers and forces appealed for relief, and
11368-694: The southern part of Africa and is well linked with neighbouring countries: toward the north, at Victoria Falls the system links to the Zambia Railways , crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge . To the east, the system links to the Mozambique Ports and Railways . A second line toward Mozambique reaches Maputo . To the west, a connecting line link ups to Botswana Railways to reach South Africa , eventually reaching Durban and Cape Town . A direct line to South Africa from Bulawayo
11484-465: The southern parts have gray-brown sand over pale, loamy sand or sandy loam. The City of Harare is divided into suburbs, outside of which are independent municipalities such as Epworth , Mount Hampden , Norton , Ruwa, and Chitungwiza , which are still located within the greater metropolitan province. The central business district of Harare is characterized by wide streets and a mix of historic, post-war, and modern buildings. Downtown sights include
11600-616: The terminal of the Beira–Bulawayo railway , which connects with the cities of Gweru , Harare , Mutare and Beira . Through the station in the outskirts of Umzingwane , the city of Bulawayo is connected to the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway . On 1 November 2013, a new terminal of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport , formerly known as Bulawayo Airport, was opened. Bulawayo is home to many hospitals and other medical facilities. The United Bulawayo Hospitals,
11716-565: The three months up to February (February 1944 is the wettest month on record with 368 millimetres or 14 + 1 ⁄ 2 inches) while in the three months ending in February 1983, only 84 mm ( 3 + 1 ⁄ 4 in) fell. Bulawayo has good-quality tap water owing to the management of the water authorities, meeting international standards. Bulawayo does not recycle waste water but uses treated waste water for irrigation. Bulawayo experiences water shortages in drought seasons due to
11832-502: The tower was low, with office occupancy at only 3% in October 2011. By May 2013, office occupancy had risen to around half, with all the retail space occupied. The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Harare as the world's least livable city (out of 140 surveyed) in February 2011, rising to 137th out of 140 in August 2012. In March 2015, Harare City Council planned a two-year project to install 4,000 solar street lights , starting in
11948-506: The town. Rather than wait passively for attack, the settlers mounted patrols, called the Bulawayo Field Force, under Frederick Selous and Frederick Russell Burnham . These patrols rode out to rescue any surviving settlers in the countryside and attacked the Ndebele. In the first week of fighting, 20 men of the Bulawayo Field Force were killed and 50 were wounded. An unknown number of Ndebele were killed and wounded. During
12064-574: The unreliability of signalling and control systems. At this time NRZ operated around 100 locomotives and a 'few hundred' carriages. By 2009, the 313 kilometres (194 mi) electrified section between Harare and Gweru / Dabuka was inoperable due to years of maintenance neglect and theft of overhead line equipment. Diesel locomotives now operate on the route. Between 2001 and 2006 a commuter rail service operated in Harare and Bulawayo. Three lines were operated in Harare and two in Bulawayo. They were nicknamed 'Freedom Trains. Between May and July 2017,
12180-541: The wealthy northern suburbs, with prices rising dramatically over the last decade despite challenges in other sectors of the economy. This boom was largely fueled by members of the Zimbabwean diaspora and by speculation, with investors hedging against the local currency. However, the once-growing market began to cool off due to a 2019 hike in interest rates and the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic , leaving
12296-475: Was "he who does not sleep". Before independence, "Harare" was the name of the black residential area now known as Mbare . Significant investment in education and healthcare produced a confident and growing middle class , evidenced by the rise of firms such as Econet Global and innovative design and architecture , exemplified by the Eastgate Centre . A notable symbol of this era in Harare's history
12412-628: Was appointed as one of the first mayors. At the outbreak of the Second Matabele War , in March 1896, Bulawayo was besieged by Ndebele forces. The settlers established a laager here for defensive purposes. The Ndebele had experienced the brutal effectiveness of the Maxim guns employed by BSAC troops in the First Matabele War, so they never mounted a significant attack against Bulawayo, although over 10,000 Ndebele warriors gathered to surround
12528-408: Was created as a place for black workers to settle, providing labor for the industrial areas of Southerton and Workington. Under the Köppen climate classification , Harare has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb ), an oceanic climate variety. Because the city is situated on a plateau, its high altitude and cool south-easterly airflow cause it to have a climate that is cooler and drier than
12644-610: Was established in 1895. The Matsheumhlope Stream cuts through the 18 hole course in the suburbs. It is home to Hartsfield Rugby grounds where many international Test matches have been played. Hartsfield was developed by Reg Hart, after whom the grounds were named and on which field many of southern Africa's greatest rugby players have competed. It is home to two large football teams: Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints . Other football teams include Bantu Rovers , Chicken Inn , How Mine , Quelaton, and Bulawayo City (R). Other important sporting and recreational facilities include: The city has
12760-471: Was formed in 1896. Salisbury was declared a municipality in 1897, and it became a city in 1935. At the time of the city's founding, its site and surroundings were poorly drained. The earliest development was on sloping ground along the left bank of a stream, in an area where the Julius Nyerere Way industrial road runs today. The first area to be fully drained was near the head of the stream and
12876-561: Was granted a special agreement to preserve its rights of access under the Tati Concessions Land Act, which formally annexed a former territory of Matabeleland , an area including Francistown , to the Bechuanaland Protectorate . Bulawayo – Harare section Harare – Mutare section The privately owned Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR) provides a direct rail link to South Africa . This railway
12992-663: Was named Causeway. Causeway is now the site of many important government buildings, including the Senate House and the Office of the Prime Minister. After the position was abolished in January 1988, the office was renamed for the use of the President . Salisbury was the seat of the British South Africa Company administrator and became capital of the self-governing British colony of Southern Rhodesia in 1923. In
13108-476: Was opened in 1999 and will become part of the NRZ after 30 years. The Zimbabwe National Railways Museum is in Bulawayo ; it has a selection of locomotives, railway carriages and other interesting things. One of the exhibits is a Rhodesia Railways class DE2 diesel locomotive . Bulawayo Bulawayo ( / b ʊ l ə ˈ w ɑː j oʊ / , /- ˈ w eɪ oʊ / ; Northern Ndebele : Bulawayo )
13224-424: Was opened in 1999 by the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway . As of May 2023, no passenger services are operated by the National Railways of Zimbabwe. A small number of tourist trains are operated from Victoria Falls station, including a luxury long-distance service to Pretoria , South Africa by Rovos Rail . Some heritage steam trains are also operated on track in the vicinity of Victoria Falls. Prior to 2020,
13340-460: Was started in cooperation with ZUPCO , the local bus company, operating three routes to Tynwald, Mufakose and Ruwa . In November 2022, approximately a year after being introduced, they were suspended again due to a payment dispute with ZUPCO. In 2020, all passenger services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of May 2023, passenger services have not been reintroduced. NRZ cites
13456-630: Was under concession to the RR), was sold to South African Railways in December 1959. The Zambia Railway Board (now Zambia Railways -ZR) was founded and the route network in Zambia was disbanded on 1 July 1967. On the same date, the Salisbury - Umtali section of the Beira-Bulawayo railway was handed over to the Mozambique Ports and Railways administration. Rhodesia Railways was a heavy user of
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