Maphisa

Maphisa was established in the 1970s as a TILCOR (Tribal Trust Land Development Corporation) growth point linked to the nearby Antelope farm estate. It is located in Matobo district, in Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe.

Development 1980 – 2000

The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, (ARDA) created opportunities for out-growers on 150 ha of the irrigation scheme, with plots averaging 1-2 hectares.

ARDA also began to build infrastructure in Maphisa in the mid-1980s, including housing for workers and some general dealer shops. The government also established administrative offices for various government departments and built Hlalanikuhle high-density suburb.

The ARDA irrigation scheme was central to the economy of Maphisa. At the height of the cotton boom in the 1990s, it employed up to 8 000 people.

Post Land Reform

The Land Reform Programme saw the decline of ARDA estate in Maphisa. In the beginning of the new millennium, ARDA collapsed, and many employees were laid off. This had a negative effect on the livelihoods of the locals as their major source of revenue vanished.

However, it was not all doom and gloom as Maphisa has changed from an estate-linked enclave town. It has grown to serve the surrounding area, with a whole range of new businesses established. February 2015 when ARDA entered into a five-year partnership with Trek Petroleum. Antelope and Ingwizi Estates, which were on the verge of collapse, have registered improved output, creating more job opportunities for Maphisa, Antelope Mine and other local communities.

In the 15 years, Maphisa has added 6 new supermarkets, a fuel station, 4 butcheries, 5 hardware stores, an Internet café, and various business services. The population is also expanding as noted by the increase in a number of residential stands allocated. In 2005, 302 stands were allocated. In July 2017, the number of allocated stands was at 1 341.