Harare

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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.

See Distances in Zimbabwe.

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:

Turnout - 17 120 votes or 37.31 %

Harare East returned:

Turnout - 28 220 votes or 70.04 %

Harare North returned:

Turnout - 18 371 votes or 56.76 %

Harare South returned:

Turnout - 25 762 votes

Harare West returned:

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:

Harare Central returned:

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:

Harare North returned:

Harare South returned:

2013 Elections

In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Harare Central returned to Parliament:

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:

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:

Harare East returned:

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

  • 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

  1. [Chief Information Officer, Lore and Legend of Southern Rhodesia Place Names] (Southern Rhodesia Information Service, Salisbury, 1960) Retrieved 8 November 2021"
  2. Hre, Brief Historical Context, 'Harare', Published: ND, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
  3. Helen Kadirire, Population growth worries Harare, 'DailyNews', Published: 29 Oct 2013, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
  4. ZEC Releases Voter Population Figures To Determine Areas That Need To Be Divided, Pindula, Published: 17 October 2022, Retrieved: 17 October 2022
  5. Hre, NEW COUNCIL SWORN-IN, 'Harare City', Published: 16 Sept 2013, Retrieved:
  6. Municipal Reporter, Manyenyeni installed as Harare mayor, 'Herald', Published: 19 Dec 2013, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
  7. Wrld 66, Climate, 'World 66', Publihed: ND, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
  8. Cheryl Robertson, Malta and Zimbabwe share best climate in the world, 'Eturbo News', Published: 11 Mar 2011, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014
  9. Andre Vltchek, Harare: Is It Really the Worst City on Earth?, 'CounterPunch', Published: 15 Mar 2013, Retrieved: 24 Apr 2014

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