Mutare
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Published : January 16, 2018
| Last modified on January 22nd, 2018 at 1:22 pm
Mutates Zimbabwe’s fourth largest city as well as the provincial capital of Zimbabwe’s Manicaland Province
History
Over 100 years ago, this region was ruled by Mutasa, chief of the Manyika and was named Mutare or sometimes “Nyautare” meaning “a piece of stone.” The name probably came about as a result discovery of gold in the Penhalonga valley through which the Mutare River flows.
Over 100 years ago, this region was ruled by Mutasa, chief of the Manyika and was named Mutare or sometimes “Nyautare” meaning “a piece of stone.” The name probably came about as a result discovery of gold in the Penhalonga valley through which the Mutare River flows.
The foundation stone of the Civic Center was laid on the 22nd of May 1959 by the then Governor Vice Admiral Sir Reveille William Powler and was officially opened on the 7th of June 1960 by the then Prime Minister Sir Edgar Whitehead. The idea of the Civic Centre was first talked about in 1949 and four years later the idea was put on the planning boards. Today the building consists of a three storey section with the Council suite, Committee rooms and Mayor’s Parlour. The Council Chamber was built to accommodate thirty Councillors. The Civic Centre is built on a beautiful land which was once a dairy farm.
Location
The city of Mutare is located right on the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Mutare is Zimbabwe’s closest city to the sea making it the most strategic location for transport costs sensitive import and export oriented enterprises. For this reason in particular, Mutare has been considered as Zimbabwe’s gateway to the Indian Ocean. Mutare is the capital of Manicaland province and covers an area of approximately 16 700 hectares. It is situated 263 kilometers east of Harare and 290 kilometres west of the Port of Beira, Mozambique.
The city of Mutare is located right on the border between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Mutare is Zimbabwe’s closest city to the sea making it the most strategic location for transport costs sensitive import and export oriented enterprises. For this reason in particular, Mutare has been considered as Zimbabwe’s gateway to the Indian Ocean. Mutare is the capital of Manicaland province and covers an area of approximately 16 700 hectares. It is situated 263 kilometers east of Harare and 290 kilometres west of the Port of Beira, Mozambique.
Climate
Despite its tropical location, the city has a humid subtropical climate. The average annual temperature is 19 °C, surprisingly low for its moderate altitude (about the same as Harare which is 360 metres higher.) This is due to its sheltered position against the mountain ridge of Cecil Kop which encourages cool breezes from lower altitude to the east and south. The coldest month is July (minimum 6 °C and maximum 20 °C) and the hottest month is October (minimum 16 °C and maximum 32 °C). The annual rainfall is 818 mm. Rain falls mostly in the months December to February although heavy showers are possible before and after this period. The wettest month on record was January 1926 which received 580 mm while January 1991 received only 24 mm.
Despite its tropical location, the city has a humid subtropical climate. The average annual temperature is 19 °C, surprisingly low for its moderate altitude (about the same as Harare which is 360 metres higher.) This is due to its sheltered position against the mountain ridge of Cecil Kop which encourages cool breezes from lower altitude to the east and south. The coldest month is July (minimum 6 °C and maximum 20 °C) and the hottest month is October (minimum 16 °C and maximum 32 °C). The annual rainfall is 818 mm. Rain falls mostly in the months December to February although heavy showers are possible before and after this period. The wettest month on record was January 1926 which received 580 mm while January 1991 received only 24 mm.
Tourism
Surrounded by the ever misty mountains in the beautiful Eastern Highlands, it is closely linked to Christmas pass, Inyanga, Vumba, Chimanimani Mountains and Honde Valley.
Home to Mutate Bottling Company, Mutate Polytechnic College and Africa University. The city is very conviniemt for travellers as it is home to the regions top tourist resorts.
Surrounded by the ever misty mountains in the beautiful Eastern Highlands, it is closely linked to Christmas pass, Inyanga, Vumba, Chimanimani Mountains and Honde Valley.
Home to Mutate Bottling Company, Mutate Polytechnic College and Africa University. The city is very conviniemt for travellers as it is home to the regions top tourist resorts.
Other places to visit in Mutare include Mutate Museum, Cross Kopje, Mutare Courtauld theater and Mutate National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe.
Residential Areas
The most upscale suburbs (low-density suburbs) such as Murambi,Fairbridge Park (named after the founder of the present site of Mutare), Morningside and Tiger’s Kloof are located on the north end of the city along the foothills, while Palmerston, Darlington, Greenside, Greenside extension and Bordervale are east of the city center, near the border with Mozambique.
The most upscale suburbs (low-density suburbs) such as Murambi,Fairbridge Park (named after the founder of the present site of Mutare), Morningside and Tiger’s Kloof are located on the north end of the city along the foothills, while Palmerston, Darlington, Greenside, Greenside extension and Bordervale are east of the city center, near the border with Mozambique.
In the west are the medium-density suburbs of Yeovil, Westlea and Florida (and Train Houses), as well as the high density suburb of Chikanga, which was constructed in phases (Phase 1; 2; 3) beginning in the late eighties.
Further west of Chikanga lies the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle and Hobhouse. South of the railway track lies the high-density suburb of Sakubva, which contains nearly half of the city’s population despite an area of less than four square miles. Sakubva is considered to be the poorest of Mutare’s suburbs, and its economy is centred around a large outdoor food and flea market-and the “Musika weHuku” (The chicken market).
A few miles to the south, hidden from view from the rest of the city by a series of hills, is the high-density suburb of Dangamvura.
