Mabvuku

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Suburb east of Harare, Zimbabwe

title: "Mabvuku" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["suburbs-of-harare", "squatting-in-zimbabwe"] description: "Suburb east of Harare, Zimbabwe" topic_path: "general/suburbs-of-harare" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabvuku" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Suburb east of Harare, Zimbabwe ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
official_nameMabvuku
nicknameBvukaz/Bvakaz
settlement_typeHigh Density Suburb
image_skylineKanumhu Shopping Center.jpg
imagesize350px
image_caption" Scene at Kamunhu, one of the main shopping centres during the 20th century. In the 21st century a lot has changed".- Kudakwashe L Kaseke and Snr
dot_x
pushpin_mapZimbabwe
pushpin_label_positionEpworth
pushpin_mapsize190
subdivision_typeTown
subdivision_nameMabvuku
subdivision_type1District
subdivision_name2Harare
established_date1900
population_as_of2018
population_totalover 30000(estimated )
timezone+2:00
coordinates
elevation_m1473
::

| official_name = Mabvuku | other_name = | native_name = | nickname = Bvukaz/Bvakaz | settlement_type = High Density Suburb | motto = | image_skyline = Kanumhu Shopping Center.jpg | imagesize = 350px | image_caption =" Scene at Kamunhu, one of the main shopping centres during the 20th century. In the 21st century a lot has changed".- Kudakwashe L Kaseke and Snr Rodney Mubvakure | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | image_shield = | shield_size = | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = | blank_emblem_size = | image_map = | mapsize = | map_caption = | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 = | image_dot_map = | dot_mapsize = | dot_map_caption = | dot_x = |dot_y = | pushpin_map = Zimbabwe | pushpin_label_position = Epworth | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_mapsize =190 | subdivision_type = Town | subdivision_name = Mabvuku | subdivision_type1 = District | subdivision_name1 = | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = Harare | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | established_title = | established_date = 1900 | established_title2 = | established_date2 = | established_title3 = | established_date3 = | area_magnitude = | unit_pref = | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank1_sq_mi = | population_as_of =2018 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = over 30000(estimated ) | population_density_km2 = | population_density_sq_mi = | population_metro = | population_density_metro_km2 = | population_density_metro_sq_mi = | population_urban = | population_density_urban_km2 = | population_density_urban_sq_mi = | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = | timezone = +2:00 | utc_offset = | timezone_DST = | utc_offset_DST = | coordinates = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 1473 | elevation_ft = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code = | blank_name = | blank_info = | blank1_name = | blank1_info = | website = | footnotes = Mabvuku is a suburb east of Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe.

History

Old Mabvuku traces its origins back to the 1950s, with its oldest school, Donnybrook Primary School, established in 1954. New Mabvuku, on the other hand, was developed beginning in 1972 by the Salisbury City Council. Before Zimbabwe’s colonization, Mabvuku was home to the VaShawasha people of the Soko Mbire clan, who settled in the area approximately 300 years ago. This area remains their native homeland, and their heritage is preserved in the names of streets and roads in Old Mabvuku, such as Tingini, Godzonga, Marembo, Chauruka, Nyamare, Nyahuni, Chaitezvi, Nzwere, and Shambare. These names, along with the praise poetry of the Shona people compiled by Chatima, provide evidence of their historical presence.

Mabvuku and its neighbouring suburb, Tafara, have a significant population of people of Malawian, Mozambican, and Zambian origin, many of whom migrated to the area seeking employment prior to Zimbabwe’s independence. They predominantly worked as domestic workers in nearby suburbs like Highlands, Greendale, and Msasa or in the industrial area of Msasa and the nearby Portland cement factory (now Khaya formely Lafarge). As the population grew over the years, some residents began working in industrial areas farther afield, such as Willowvale and Workington in western Harare. During the 1970s and 1980s, it was common to see cultural displays such as Nyau (Chigure) dances or Muganda celebrations, reflecting the influence of the foreign-origin communities. Additionally, burial societies, initially rooted in ethnic traditions, have since gained widespread acceptance among the broader Zimbabwean population.

Economy

The local economy is primarily informal, with residents engaging in small-scale trading, artisanal activities, and various micro-enterprises to sustain their livelihoods.

In recent years, Mabvuku-Tafara has faced significant infrastructural challenges that have impacted economic activities. Notably, the area has suffered from inadequate water supply and power cuts. To address this, initiatives such as the drilling of 26 boreholes by local Member of Parliament Pedzisayi "Scott" Sakupwanya in March 2024 have been implemented to provide residents with access to clean water.{{cite news |last1= Chirimujiri|first1 = Sharmaine |title=Relief for water-starved Mabvuku residents

|url=https://dailynews.co.zw/relief-for-water-starved-mabvuku-residents |access-date=17 January 2025 |work= New Zimbabwe |date= 19 March 2024}}

Additionally, the suburb's road infrastructure has deteriorated over time, affecting transportation and local commerce. In April 2023, Sakupwanya invested US$2.5 million in a road rehabilitation project aimed at improving the area's road network, thereby facilitating better movement for both residents and businesses.

In addition, the suburb is home to Khayah Cement Limited's plant, which resumed normal cement production in November 2023 after restoring its mill. However, by December 2024, the company filed for corporate rescue due to operational difficulties, including economic sanctions and increased competition from imported cement. Additionally, PPC Ltd. operates a cement manufacturing plant in Msasa, Harare, contributing to the local cement supply.

The retail sector in Mabvuku includes major supermarkets such as Choppies and OK, providing residents with essential goods and services. Pharmacies and service stations are also present, catering to the healthcare and fuel needs of the community. For instance, OK at Kamunhu Shopping Centre houses a Mukuru Orange Booth, offering financial services to residents.

Challenges

Mabvuku-Tafara has been seriously affected by the prevailing economic challenges, which has compromised the Harare City Council's ability to provide services. The residents, like other Zimbabweans, have suffered through water and power cuts with many residents resorting to alternative sources. In 2005, Operation Murambatsvina destroyed slums in Mabvuku and other areas of Harare such as Budiriro and Mbare as well as nearby Chitungwiza. By the mid-2010s, the number of people squatting in informal settlements was growing again. A new settlement outside Mabvuku was called Bob which later formalised and became Eastview now under the auspices of the nearby Goromonzi Rural District Council.

In 2021, the Clean City program brought clean affordable drinking water to Mabvuku. Many residents had gone without running water for 30 years. By 2023, residents were voicing concerns over an inconsistent water supply, as citywide water rationing further exacerbated their struggles.

Climate

|location = Mabvuku |single line = Yes |metric first = Yes |Jan high F = 78 |Feb high F = 77 |Mar high F = 77 |Apr high F = 77 |May high F = 73 |Jun high F = 69 |Jul high F = 69 |Aug high F =73 |Sep high F = 78 |Oct high F = 82 |Nov high F =82 |Dec high F = 78 |year high F = 75 |Jan low F = 59 |Feb low F = 59 |Mar low F = 57 |Apr low F = 53 |May low F = 46 |Jun low F = 42 |Jul low F = 41 |Aug low F = 44 |Sep low F = 50 |Oct low F = 55 |Nov low F = 59 |Dec low F = 59 |year low F = 51 |Jan precipitation inch = 8.4 |Feb precipitation inch =6.3 |Mar precipitation inch = 3.6 |Apr precipitation inch = 1.5 |May precipitation inch = 0.3 |Jun precipitation inch = 0.1 |Jul precipitation inch = 0.1 |Aug precipitation inch = 0.1 |Sep precipitation inch = 0.3 |Oct precipitation inch = 1.4 |Nov precipitation inch = 3.9 |Dec precipitation inch = 7 |year precipitation inch = 32.9 |source 1 = Weatherbase |url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=677750&refer=wikipedia |title =Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Mabvuku, Zimbabwe |publisher=Weatherbase |year=2011 Retrieved on 24 November 2011. |date=November 2011

Notable people from the suburb

References

References

  1. "Mabvuku". Pindula.
  2. (29 April 2023). "Scott Sakupwanya Finally Sees Potholes In Mabvuku, Tafara, Invests US$2.5m In Road Rehabilitation". ZimEye.
  3. (11 November 2023). "Khayah Cement resumes normal cement production". Business Times.
  4. (24 December 2024). "Khayah Cement Limited Files For Corporate Rescue Amid Economic Challenges". ZimEye.
  5. (17 March 2017). "President commissions $82 million cement plant". Chronicle.
  6. Sachiti Roselyne. (20 November 2020). "Solar energy: Why residents are jumping off the national electricity grid". The Chronicle.
  7. "Zimbabwe: Power, Water Cuts Ruining Women in Business - Mutasa". Allafrica.com.
  8. . (20 September 2013). ["New slum threat in Harare"](https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2013/09/20/new-slum-threat-harare/). *The Zimbabwe Independent*.
  9. (11 January 2015). "Squatters: Housing shortages or lawlessness?". The Sunday Mail.
  10. . (15 April 2021). ["Clean City brings affordable, safe water to Mabvuku, Epworth and Chitungwiza"](https://www.chronicle.co.zw/clean-city-brings-affordable-safe-water-to-mabvuku-epworth-and-chitungwiza/). *The Chronicle*.
  11. . (31 March 2021). ["'Residents clock 30 years without tap water'"](https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/04/residents-clock-30-years-without-tap-water/). *News Day Zimbabwe*.
  12. . (7 February 2024). ["Glen View, Mabvuku residents present water crisis to Parliament"](https://www.suburban.co.zw/glen-view-mabvuku-residents-present-water-crisis-to-parliament/). *Suburban*.
  13. . (4 December 2023). ["Harare announces extremely tight water rationing schedule as Prince Edward station doubles down on production"](https://www.newzimbabwe.com/harare-announces-extremely-tight-water-rationing-schedule-as-prince-edward-station-doubles-down-on-production/). *New Zimbabwe*.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

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