Harare
Harare (formerly Salisbury) is the capital of Zimbabwe. It is the seat of Government, the industrial hub and commercial centre for Zimbabwe. The city was founded by the Cecil John Rhodes of the BSAC who sent the Pioneer Column in 1890. The name was changed to Harare in 1982, a name taken from the regional chief Neharawa of the Kopje area where the city stands. The city's favourable climate earned it the name 'Sunshine City'.
History
Before colonisation, the place was known as Harawa and it was ruled by Chief Neharawa who moved from present day Seke area. He settled around the Kopje. He was reportedly killed by Mbani, who was in turn killed by two brothers, Chiweshe and Wata. Hararwa was eventually corrupted to Harare. [1]
On arrival in 1890, (at National Unity Square), the Pioneer Column established Salisbury. A fort was built, so it was sometimes called Fort Salisbury. In 1897, it become a municipality. Salisbury was declared a city in 1935. [2] On 18 April 1982, two years after the country gained independence, Salisbury was renamed Harare.
Demography
As a province, the city includes Harare Urban, Harare Rural, Chitungwiza, Ruwa, Norton and Epworth. In 2013, the city had a population of about 4.2 million people which was expected to reach 5 million by 2025.[3]
In October 2022, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission released voter population figures to be used to determine the constituencies and or wards that shall be divided under the delimitation exercise. ZEC said the numbers were obtained on 31 May 2022.
Population Totals (May 2022):
Bulawayo Metropolitan - 270 938
Harare Metropolitan - 952 102
Manicaland - 738 624
Mashonaland Central - 536 463
Mashonaland East - 641 668
Mashonaland West - 661 289
Masvingo - 632 320
Matabeleland North - 340 427
Matabeleland South - 267 617
Midlands - 762 928
Total - 5 804376 [4]
See List of Primary Schools in Zimbabwe and Contact Numbers.
See High Schools Of Zimbabwe.
See Tafara 1 High School.
See Vainona High School.
Government
Harare is in Harare Metropolitan Province.
The City of Harare government is Harare City Council.
1990 Elections
In the 1990 Parliamentary Election (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Harare Central returned to Parliament:
- Bernard Chidzero of Zanu PF with 9 545 votes,
- Raphael Hamadziripiof ZUM with 6 864.
Turnout - 17 120 votes or 37.31 %
Harare East returned:
- Margaret Dongo of Zanu PF with 16 390 votes,
- Morgan Changamire of ZUM with 9 770 votes.
Turnout - 28 220 votes or 70.04 %
Harare North returned:
- Tirivanhu Mudariki of Zanu PF with 11 967 votes,
- Masipula Sithole of ZUM with 5 055 votes.
Turnout - 18 371 votes or 56.76 %
Harare South returned:
- Smith Marara of Zanu PF with 15 100 votes,
- Davison Gomo of ZUM with 8 156 votes,
- Noah Chifungo of ZANU–Ndonga with 1 203 votes.
Turnout - 25 762 votes
Harare West returned:
- Don Chipango of Zanu PF with 15 675 votes,
- Stephen Nyoka of ZUM with 7 323 votes.
Turnout - 24 460 votes or 55.16 %
2000 Elections
In the 2000 Parliamentary Election (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Harare East returned to Parliament:
- Tendai Laxton Biti of MDC with 18 129 votes,
- Stalin Maumau of Zanu PF with 4 391 votes,
- Heneri Dzinotyyiwei of ZIP with 140 votes.
Harare Central returned:
- Michael Theodore Hayes Auret of MDC with 14 207 votes,
- Winston Dzawo of Zanu PF with 3 620 votes,
- Obey Mudzingwa, Independent, with 76 votes,
- Charles David Mukome of UP with 39 votes.
Following the resignation of Mike Auret due to ill health, on 27 February 2003, a by election was held 30–31 August 2003. The result, Harare Central returned to Parliament:
- Murisi Zwizwai of MDC with 2 707 votes,
- Wilson Nhara of Zanu PF with 1 304 votes.
Harare North returned:
- Getrude Bavier Lottie Stevenson of MDC with 18 976 votes,
- Nyasha Chikwinya of Zanu PF with 4 852 votes,
- Nhamo Chester Mhende, Independent, with 707 votes,
- Justin Chiota of ZPP with 222 votes,
- Lily Angela Anne Murapa, Independent, with 202 votes.
Harare South returned:
- Gabriel Chaibva of MDC with 12 430 votes,
- Vivian Mwashita of Zanu PF with 4 730 votes,
- Margaret Dongo of ZUD with 951 votes,
- Fisher Albert Aldridge Timothy, Independent, with 0 votes.
2013 Elections
In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Harare Central returned to Parliament:
- Murisi Zwizwai of MDC–T with 6 828 votes or 53.68 percent,
- Rickson Musarurwa of Zanu PF with 4 974 votes or 39.10 percent,
- Columbus Sibanda of MDC–N with 757 votes or 5.95 percent,
- 2 others with 162 votes or 1.27 percent.
Total 12 721 votes
In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Harare East returned to Parliament:
- Tendai Biti of MDC–T with 9 538 votes or 51.44 percent,
- Noah Mangondo of Zanu PF with 8 190 votes or 44.17 percent,
- Stanley Chivige of MDC–N with 761 votes or 4.10 percent,
- 1 other with 53 votes or 0.29 percent.
Total 18 542 votes
In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Harare North returned to Parliament:
- Tongesayi Mudambo of Zanu PF with 7 917 votes or 50.16 percent,
- Theresa Makone of MDC–T with 6 555 votes or 41.54 percent,
- Milca Chitsa of MDC–N with 746 votes or 4.73 percent,
- 2 others with 567 votes or 3.59 percent.
Total 15 785 votes
In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Harare South returned to Parliament:
- Shadreck Mashayamombe of Zanu PF with 20 069 votes or 29.03 percent,
- Jacob Mafume of MDC–T with 7 472 votes or 25.70 percent,
- Cleopas Dube of MDC–N with 772 votes or 5.37 percent,
- 1 other with 174 votes or 0.60 percent.
Total 29 074 votes
In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Harare West returned to Parliament:
- Jessie Majome of MDC–T with 9 996 votes or 69.55 percent,
- Varaidzo Mupunga of Zanu PF with 3 530 votes or 24.56 percent,
- Salome Rice of MDC–N with 772 votes or 5.37 percent,
- 2 others with 74 votes or 0.51 percent.
Total 14 372 votes
2022 By-elections
In the 2022 By-Elections, (see Zimbabwe By-elections (March_2022)) Harare Central returned to Parliament:
- Murisi Zwizwai of Citizens' Coalition for Change with 3 332 votes,
- Loice Magweba of Zanu-PF with 1 375 votes,
- Linda Masarira of LEAD with 20 votes,
- Marara Norest Chiureki of MDC Alliance with 65 votes,
- Rukanda Henry Gwinyai of MAAT Zimbabwe with 3 votes.
Harare East returned:
- Tendai Biti of Citizens' Coalition for Change with 7 534 votes,
- Mavis Gumbo of Zanu-PF with 3 045 votes,
- Christopher Mbanga of MDC Alliance with 114 votes,
- Garikai Mlambo of United Zimbabwe Alliance with 100 votes,
- Precious Musarurwa of LEAD with 25 votes.
Local Government
Harare Local Government is Harare Municipality.
The city is represented by a Non-Executive Mayor (elected by the Councillors), Deputy Mayor, 46 elected Councillors and 12 Councillors.[5]
They represent residents of the wards they are elected in. These are all Special Appointments made by the Minister of Local Government Urban and Rural Development. Harare also provides local government services such as local health (clinics), recreation, housing, water and sanitation, fire and ambulance, burial and cremation services among others through its 10 departments which are headed by Directors. The 2013 to 2018 mayor was Bernard Manyenyeni who was sworn in after the 31 July 2013 elections.[6]
The City is run by the Town Clerk, Directors (Heads of Department) and staff, appointed by the Local Government Board, appointed by the central government Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development.
In 2018, Herbert Gomba was elected as mayor.
In 2022, Jacob Mapfume was the Mayor.
In 2023, Ian Makone was the Mayor.
See Mayor of Harare.
Climate
Harare has one of the most favourable climates in the whole world. Temperatures range from 6.25 to 28.7 degrees Celsius while rainfall varies from 0.0 to 645.0 (mm/month).[7] Harar's climate facilitated, Zimbabwe's climate to be voted 'the best climate on Earth' by the International Living magazine’s 2011 Quality of Life Index.[8]
Tourist Attractions and Accommodation
- Harare is the site of the University of Zimbabwe, the largest institution of higher education in the country.
- The city is home to National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe's museum for contemporary art and visual heritage; the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences. The Chapungu Sculpture Park with works of Zimbabwean stone sculptors is near the city. The National Botanical Gardens in the suburb of Alexandra Park also houses the National Herbarium. The gardens show plants typical to Zimbabwe and the African continent including rare and endangered species.
See Distances in Zimbabwe
See The N1 Hotel
Operation Murambatsvina
In 2005, Harare embarked on Operation Murambatsvina to remove vendors and vagrants from the city.
International Coverage
Harare has been mentioned in international media. In 2011 The Economist rated Harare as the world’s least livable city on earth. During the same time, some surveys conducted ranked it the 4th worst city on earth in 2012.[9]
References
- ↑ [Chief Information Officer, Lore and Legend of Southern Rhodesia Place Names] (Southern Rhodesia Information Service, Salisbury, 1960) Retrieved 8 November 2021"
- ↑ Hre, Brief Historical Context, 'Harare', Published: ND, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
- ↑ Helen Kadirire, Population growth worries Harare, 'DailyNews', Published: 29 Oct 2013, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
- ↑ ZEC Releases Voter Population Figures To Determine Areas That Need To Be Divided, Pindula, Published: 17 October 2022, Retrieved: 17 October 2022
- ↑ Hre, NEW COUNCIL SWORN-IN, 'Harare City', Published: 16 Sept 2013, Retrieved:
- ↑ Municipal Reporter, Manyenyeni installed as Harare mayor, 'Herald', Published: 19 Dec 2013, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
- ↑ Wrld 66, Climate, 'World 66', Publihed: ND, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
- ↑ Cheryl Robertson, Malta and Zimbabwe share best climate in the world, 'Eturbo News', Published: 11 Mar 2011, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
- ↑ Andre Vltchek, Harare: Is It Really the Worst City on Earth?, 'CounterPunch', Published: 15 Mar 2013, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014