Epworth
Epworth is a residential surburb located in Zimbabwe's capital city, Harare. It is, however, not a part of the Harare City Government.
Background
Epworth settlement started in the late 19th century during the time when Methodist missionaries arrived in Zimbabwe. The Methodist Church acquired three farms in the area namely Epworth, Glenwood and Adelaide. Prior to the establishment of the local authority in 1986, there were 2 main villages, that is, Chiremba (Muguta and Makomo) and Chizungu (Chinamano and Zinyengere).[1] Rather than evict these families, as was the norm then, the church “allocated” each family up to an acre of land; however, this was more a permission to stay than a legal entitlement to the land. Four villages − Makomo, Zinyengere, Chiremba and Chinamano – developed, and over the years became known as the original villages.[2]
Geographical location
Epworth is a town, formerly situated 12 kilometers outside Harare, thought now surrounded by Harare Suburbs and Ruwa. [2] It is one of the four settlements of Harare Metropolitan Province, the other being Harare, Chitungwiza and Ruwa.
Epworth Government
The result of the 23-24 August 2023 elections, was that Epworth local board had 12 councillors, ten from the CCC, two from Zanu PF. There are nine Ward Councillors and three women's quota Councillors. [3]
The Epworth Local government is Epworth Local Board.
Epworth is not a part of the City of Harare, but a part of Harare Metropolitan Province.
In October 2020, Earthrage Kureva was one of the ten legislators expelled from Parliament after the MDC-T wrote to the House saying they were no longer representing it. At the time of the recall, Matsunga was the Member of Parliament for Mufakose. The recalling of MPs voted as MDC Alliance candidates followed a Supreme Court ruling in April 2020 conferring legitimacy to Dr Thokozani Khupe as the leader of the MDC-T.
The other MPs that were recalled together with Matsunga were Eric Murai of Highfield East, Wellington Chikombo of Glen Norah, Susan Matsunga of Mufakose, Dorcas Sibanda of Proportional Representation Bulawayo, Caston Matewu of Marondera Central, Lynette Karenyi of PR Manicaland, Concilia Chinanzvavana of PR Mashonaland West, Prince Dubeko Sibanda of Binga North and Unganai Tarusenga of St Mary’s.[4]
In the Zimbabwe By-elections (March 2022), Zalerah Makari of Zanu PF won the Epworth Parliament seat with 10 248 votes, beating Earthrage Kureva from CCC who had 8283 votes, Mhetu Togarepi of the MDC Alliance with 745 votes, Richard Musiyadzaanikwa of LEAD 92 and Innocent Hazvina an independent candidate with 441 votes. [5]
In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Epworth returned to Parliament:
- Amos Midzi of Zanu PF with 15 468 votes or 61.26 percent,
- Eliah Jembere of MDC–T with 7 951 votes or 31.49 percent,
- Nicholas Sibanda of MDC–N with 1 332 votes or 5.28 percent,
- 3 others with 497 votes or 1.97 percent.
Total 25 248 votes
In the 2022 By-Elections, (see Zimbabwe By-elections (March_2022)) Epworth returned to Parliament:
- Zalerah Makari of Zanu-PF with 10 246 votes,
- Earthrage Kureva of CCC with 8 283 votes,
- Togarepi Zivai Mhetu of MDC-Alliance with 745 votes,
- Innocent Hazvina, Independent, with 441 votes,
- Richard Musiyadzanikwa of LEAD with 92 votes.
2023 Board Chair
On 8 September 2023, Annah Sande was elected as the Epworth Local Board chairperson. Deputy Chair was Councillor Nobody Makoni (Ward 6). One aim is to restore the people’s confidence in their local government, focusing on the issues found in the regularisation program of residency in Epworth. [6] [7] [8]
See also [1]
Population
According to the 2012 census, Epworth has a population of 167,462 people.[9]
Schools and Infrastructure
Epworth settlement has a wide variety of housing. Planned housing built from brick and mortar under asbestos is mainly found in the formal and planned settlements. On the other hand, housing structures ranging from semi-permanent to temporary makeshift houses are the dominant feature in the unplanned sections (Magada) of Epworth. In Magada, the housing consists of either pole and dagga units or structure constructed with green bricks (unburnt bricks). A majority of the housing is owner-built whilst some houses have been constructed through a collective approach, for instance, under the Zimbabwe Homeless Peopleʼs Federation programme. Practical Action has also been involved in the construction of sample houses that are built from soil stabilized blocks (SSBs).
In terms of the social services, Epworth has a polyclinic located in Domboramwari Shopping Centre and an additional new clinic has been established in Overspill Shops. There are a number of schools ranging from fully-fledged educational institutions run by government and churches to mostly unregistered private-run institutions that offer limited educational services. There are shopping centres within Epworth and these include Munyuki (Ward 1), Overspill (Ward 6) Domboramwari (Ward 3), Chiremba (Ward 1), Cornerstore (Ward 6) and Chizungu shops in Ward 4. There are also numerous small corner shops dotted around Epworth which offer convenient service with respect to small groceries.[1]
Nearby Places to Note
- Robert Mugabe International Airport
- Mbizi Game Resort
- Tobbacco Research Board
- Ruwa fishing Dam
Pictures
Religion
In Epworth people follow different religions including Christainity, Islam, and traditionalism, and many 'churches' are found in the area to support these different beliefs.
Famous people that live in Epworth
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 , Epworth Report-Feb2012, published: February 2012, retrieved: June 17, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 , Beth Chitekwe-Biti, Patience Mudimu, George Masimba Nyama and Takudzwa Jera, Developing an informal settlement upgrading protocol in Zimbabwe – the Epworth story, Environment and Urbanization April 2012 vol. 24 no. 1 131-148, published: April 2012, retrieved: June 17, 2016
- ↑ Ruwa, Epworth Local Boards urged to put residents first, The Herald, Published: 21 September 2023, Retrieved: 22 September 2023
- ↑ Zvamaida Murwira, JUST IN: 10 MDC-T MPs expelled, The Herald, Published: October 1, 2020, Retrieved: May 7, 2021
- ↑ National assembly & Council By-election results, ZBC News, Published: March 2022, Retrieved: March 2022
- ↑ Annah Sande 25 Elected Epworth Local Board Chairperson, Pindula, Published: 20 September 2023, Retrieved: 20 September 2023
- ↑ Annah Sande Elected, Tagalife, Published: September 2023, Retrieved: 20 September 2023
- ↑ 25 Year Old Annah Sande Elected Epworth Local Board Chairperson, Gambakwe, Published: 20 September 2023, Retrieved: 20 September 2023
- ↑ , Harare Province, UNICEF, published: October 2014, retrieved: June 17, 2016
