Chitungwiza
Encyclopedia
Chitungwiza — known colloquially as Chi Town — is a high-density dormitory town in Zimbabwe
. The town is approximately 30 kilometres south of the capital, Harare
. It was formed in 1978 from three townships: Seke, Zengeza, and St Marys.
) known locally as the meal.
regime.
.
in 2005 in which many residents lost their homes and businesses.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. The town is approximately 30 kilometres south of the capital, Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
. It was formed in 1978 from three townships: Seke, Zengeza, and St Marys.
Background
Chitungwiza has several suburbs. Seke is an aggregation of many sections whilst Zengeza is composed of 5 different sub-sections; Zengeza 1 to 5. Zengeza 4 is near the Chitungwiza Shopping Complex which is popularly known as the "Town Centre" (which in turn is located in Seke's Unit "D". In Seke there is "Makoni" which is a smaller shopping centre which houses several flea markets and a bus depot. There are more than 15 different housing estates in Seke which are named after the alphabet. There is Unit A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, and Unit P. The houses are mostly high density detached units of single storey with a small yard that is generally used for growing vegetables and during the summer rainy season also corn (maizeMaize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
) known locally as the meal.
Infrastructure
There is one main highway that connects the town to Harare which is in serious need of maintenance as of 2007. Public transport is composed of regular single level buses and more reliably minibus taxis (called emergency taxis locally). All public transport services tend to be overcrowded throughout the day due to shortages of vehicles and spare parts experienced as a result of the country's poor economic performance under the MugabeMugabe
Mugabe can refer to:*Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe.*Sally Mugabe, first wife of Robert Mugabe.*Grace Mugabe, second wife of Robert Mugabe.*Omugabe , a title given to kings of Ankole of Uganda.*Mugabe Were, a Kenyan politician....
regime.
Demographies
Chitungwiza is located in the traditional territory of the Hera people. Its most distinguished historical figure is the Pasipamire, the pre-colonial svikiro (spirit medium) of Chaminuka. He is remembered for predicting the colonisation of the country by the British.History
Chitungwiza gained full municipal status in 1981 and is the third-largest and the fastest-growing urban centre in Zimbabwe. According to the 2002 Population Census, the town had a population of 321,782. However, its true population is closer to one million. Most of the people work in Harare, as there is very little industry in Chitungwiza. There are growth points (an urban area with limited tax breaks) there and bus ranks. The Chitungwiza town council is dominated by the opposition Movement for Democratic ChangeMovement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai
The Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe is a political party and the largest party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe. It is the main formation formed from the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005.-Foundation:...
.
In recent years
Chitungwiza was one of the areas targeted by Operation MurambatsvinaOperation Murambatsvina
Operation Murambatsvina , also officially known as Operation Restore Order, is a large-scale Zimbabwean government campaign to forcibly clear slum areas across the country...
in 2005 in which many residents lost their homes and businesses.