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Growth Points in Zimbabwe: A Compendium of Infrastructure Provision

Technical Report · November 2005

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2823.4648

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 ZIMBABWE’S GROWTH POINTS

A Compendium of Infrastructure Provision

(Final Draft)

meenntt CCoorrppoorraattiioonn ooff ZZiim

AA rreeppoorrtt pprreeppaarreedd ffoorr tthhee IInndduussttrriiaall DDeevveellooppm miitteedd
mbbaabbwwee LLiim

By Dr Kenneth Kodero

DEPARTMENT OF RURAL AND URBAN PLANNING

UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

August 2005
 Table of Contents

Section I Introduction .............................................................................................................. 3

Section II Methodology ........................................................................................................... 4
Section II Methodology ........................................................................................................... 5
Section III Research Findings .................................................................................................. 6
3.1 Mashonaland Central Province ................................................................................... 6
Background ................................................................................................................. 6
Infrastructure Provision .............................................................................................. 6
Roads....................................................................................................................... 6
Railway ................................................................................................................... 7
Water ....................................................................................................................... 7
Sanitation ................................................................................................................ 7
Power ...................................................................................................................... 7
Telephony ................................................................................................................ 8
3.2 Mashonaland East Province ....................................................................................... 9
Background ................................................................................................................. 9
Infrastructure Provision ............................................................................................ 10
Roads..................................................................................................................... 10
Railway ................................................................................................................. 10
Water ..................................................................................................................... 10
Sanitation .............................................................................................................. 11
Power .................................................................................................................... 11
Telecom ................................................................................................................. 11
3.3 Mashonaland West Province..................................................................................... 12
BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................... 12
RESOURCE BASE .................................................................................................. 12
INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION ......................................................................... 12
Roads..................................................................................................................... 12
Railway ................................................................................................................. 13
Water ..................................................................................................................... 13
Sanitation .............................................................................................................. 13
Power .................................................................................................................... 13
Telecom ................................................................................................................. 13
3.4 Matabeleland North Province .................................................................................... 14
BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................... 14
RESOURCE BASE .................................................................................................. 14
Infrastructure Provision ............................................................................................ 14
Roads..................................................................................................................... 14
Railway ................................................................................................................. 15
Water ..................................................................................................................... 15
Sanitation .............................................................................................................. 15
Power .................................................................................................................... 15
Telecom ................................................................................................................. 15
3.5 Masvingo Province ................................................................................................... 17
Background ............................................................................................................... 17

1
 Infrastructure Provision ............................................................................................ 18
Roads..................................................................................................................... 18
Railway ................................................................................................................. 18
Water ..................................................................................................................... 18
Sanitation .............................................................................................................. 18
Power .................................................................................................................... 19
Telecom ................................................................................................................. 19
3.6 Manicaland Province ................................................................................................ 20
Background ............................................................................................................... 20
Infrastructure Provision ............................................................................................ 20
Roads..................................................................................................................... 21
Railway ................................................................................................................. 21
Water ..................................................................................................................... 21
Sanitation .............................................................................................................. 21
Power .................................................................................................................... 21
Telecom ................................................................................................................. 21
3.7 Matabeleland South Province ................................................................................... 22
Background ............................................................................................................... 22
Infrastructure Provision ............................................................................................ 22
Roads..................................................................................................................... 22
Railway ................................................................................................................. 22
Water ..................................................................................................................... 22
Sanitation .............................................................................................................. 22
Power .................................................................................................................... 22
Telecom ................................................................................................................. 22
3.8 Midlands Province .................................................................................................... 23
Background ............................................................................................................... 23
Infrastructure Provision ............................................................................................ 23
Roads..................................................................................................................... 23
Railway ................................................................................................................. 23
Water ..................................................................................................................... 24
Sanitation .............................................................................................................. 24
Power .................................................................................................................... 24
Telecom ................................................................................................................. 24
Section IV Conclusion .................................................................................................... 25
Annex ............................................................................................................................ 26

2
 Section I Introduction
This report presents findings of a National Growth Point Study conducted between January and
February of 2005. It is the result of a partnership between the Industrial Development Corporation
of Zimbabwe Limited (IDC) and the Department of Rural and Urban Planning (DRUP), University of
Zimbabwe (UZ). The partnership entailed DRUP staff and students collecting information on
infrastructure provision and services from 33 Growth Points (GPs) in eight provinces of Zimbabwe,
namely Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Masvingo,
Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, and Midlands. Table 1 shows the list of GPs covered in
the 2005 survey. Dr. Kenneth K Odero coordinated the study, and jointly with Mr. Innocent Chirisa,
authored this report.

Table 1: List of Growth Points Surveyed in 2005

No Growth Point District Province
1 RUWANGWE Nyanga Manicaland
2 SIAKOBVU Kariba Mashonaland West
3 MUBAIRA Chegutu
4 MADZIWA Shamva Mashonaland Central
5 MUZARABANI Centenary
6 NZVIMBO Mazowe
7 JURU Goromonzi Mashonaland East
8 KOTWA Mudzi
9 MAHUSEKWA Marondera
10 MUREHWA Murehwa
11 MUTAWATAWA UMP
12 WEDZA Wedza
13 CHIBI Chivi Masvingo
14 JERERA Zaka
15 MUPANDAWANA Gutu
16 NEMANWA Masvingo
17 RUTENGA Mwenezi
18 NYIKA Bikita
19 JOTSHOLO Lupane Matabeleland North
20 LUPANE
21 NKAYI Nkayi
22 NTABAZINDUNA Bubi
23 TSHOLOTSHO Tsholotsho
24 ESIBOMVU Umzingwane Matabeleland South
25 MAWEBENI
26 MANAMA Gwanda
27 MAPHISA Matobo
28 SILALABUWA Insiza
29 GOKWE Gokwe South Midlands
30 INSUKAMINI Gweru
31 MABASA Zvishavane
32 MATAGA Mberengwa
33 ZHOMBE Kwekwe
Source: IDC, 2004

3
In 1995, IDC conducted a survey of infrastructure and activities in 68 growth points and district
service centres in Zimbabwe. Out of that study an inventory of physical and social infrastructure
available in growth points and service centres was prepared. The report presented data on
location, demography, retail sector, housing and land infrastructure, sewerage, water, post and
telecommunications, and grain bulk storage facilities. In order to update the 1995 report, another
survey was carried out in 2002 that built an inventory of infrastructure available in growth points.

As a sequel to these two studies, and in order to upraise the existing situation in GPs, IDC
commissioned another study in 2004, which this report presents. The exercise entailed detailed
examination of the characteristic of existing infrastructure provision in 33 GPs. Service provision in
the growth points as well as resource endowment of their surrounding region were also covered
and are presented in the present report.

The rest of this report is organised as follows: After this introduction and background the
methodology used in carrying out the 2005 National Growth Points Study is presented in the next
section. Syntheses of findings are then presented in Section 3. Section 4 makes recommendations
for a broad based, agro-led rural industrialization development strategy centred on growth points
(refer to Box 1). Data of existing infrastructure and services derived from the survey is appended
as annex to the report.

BOX 1 Research Execution and Synthesis

Findings Recommendations

Survey results showing Syntheses and Sustained local and

what is on the ground Analyses regional development

 Existing stock of  Data  Effective policies and

resources processing strategies based on
 Infrastructure  Report sound evidence and
 Services writing analysis
 Institutions

4
 Section II Methodology
The 33 growth points covered in the 2005 study were identified by IDC. They are spread out in 31
districts in eight provinces. A survey questionnaire, largely drawn from the 2002 survey, was
revised and used for the census. The instrument was divided into parts to capture information on
location, housing, water supply, sewage works, road transport and railway infrastructure, power
supply, post and telecommunication, health infrastructure, recreational facilities, raw materials, and
business activities. Students from the Department of Rural and Urban Planning administered the
questionnaires.

A total of 23 students drawn from Part III, Part IV and the graduate (MSc) class participated in the
survey. They were recruited after responding positively to an invitation posted on the department’s
notice board. The survey process was carried out in stages. The first stage involved field trials
during which the questionnaire instrument was piloted in 2 GPs, Mataga in Mberengwa District
(Midlands Province) and Gokwe in Gokwe South (Matabeleland South Province). This served to
obtain first-hand information about the field conditions. This knowledge was useful during the one-
day training of the enumerators. The two graduate students who took part in the pilot assisted the
Coordinator facilitate training of interviewers.

The next stage after training of enumerators was fieldwork. Each student was paid a reasonable
amount of money to cover his or her transport, meals and accommodation during the exercise. On
average, two students were assigned three GPs closest to their home area. In addition, they were
each given a letter of introduction, which they used to set up interviews. The Coordinator
supervised the data collection exercise during visits to Midlands, Matabeleland North Masvingo
and Matabeleland South provinces. This stage went on smoothly except for some delay in
obtaining information from the GPs. Some of the data not readily available in growth points were
obtained at provincial head offices of relevant Government Ministries.

The data from the completed questionnaires were then entered in Microsoft Access database.
Preliminary analysis has been carried out using Microsoft Access, Excel and Statistical Package
for Social Sciences (SPSS). There was unexpected delay in capturing the data as the assistant
hired to carry out the exercise only entered part of the information. This necessitated repeat data
entry, an exercise, which though time consuming, provided an opportunity to probe and clean the
data. It must also be pointed out that the quality of data resulting from this and similar processes is
not entirely a reflection of design and execution of the study, important though these might be.
Equally true and perhaps more important are numerous extenuating factors beyond the control of
the research team. A case in point is the dynamic of increasing restrictions in information sharing, a
consideration often understated in many research endeavours.

5
 Section III Research Findings
3.1 Mashonaland Central Province
Background
Three growth points—Madziwa (Shamva District), Muzarabani (Centenary District) and Nzvimbo
(Mazowe District)—were included in the survey of Mashonaland Central Province, which is
composed of 7 districts, namely, Bindura, Centenary, Guruve, Mazowe, Shamva, Mount Darwin
and Rushinga. The province stretches over the north and north east of Zimbabwe. To the north it
shares a common border with Mozambique and Zambia, to the south and east Mashonaland East
Province and to the west Mashonaland West Province. The total area of the Province is 27 284
square kilometres. The total population of the province is 998 265 (CSO, 2002).

Natural resources (i.e., agriculture and mining) form the main economic base of the Province.
Mashonaland East has about 27 different types of minerals. Some of the minerals are barites,
beryl, calcite, cobalt, chromium, kaolin, limestone, mica, lithium, copper, corundum, nickel,
platinum, pyrite, talc, tungsten, gold, dolomite, garnet, tin and vanadium. Gold, chrome, nickel,
cobalt and copper are some of the minerals mined in the Province where the ore occur—the
northern extreme of the Great Dyke. The Province lies in Natural Regions II, III and IV.

The main economic activities in the Province are crop and livestock production. The Province
produces maize, wheat, cotton, virginia and burley tobacco, sunflower, groundnuts, sorghum,
barley, soya beans and millet. Livestock production includes cattle, sheep, goats and poultry. While
these produce serve as an attraction for agro-processing industries in the region, and the province
is rich in mineral resources, only a few minerals are being mined. Also, it is clear from the survey
that manufacturing is relatively undeveloped.

Infrastructure Provision

Roads
Growth points in Mashonaland Central Province are serviced by a network of gravel roads of
various km lengths: Nzvimbo (8), Muzarabani (15) and Madziwa (9). The quality of gravel roads is
generally good with Muzarabani, where only 5 percent of the gravel roads are said to be in good
condition, being the exception.

Figure 1 Proportion of Gravel Roads in Good Condition

100

80

60

40

20

0
Nzvimbo Muzarabani Madziva

6
Source: Growth Point Study, 2005

All the three growth points are linked to other lower and higher order centres both in Mashonaland
Central Province and beyond through a network of gravel and tarred roads. The responsibility for
managing road transport assets in the Province is divided between the Ministry of Transport and
Communication (MoTC), the various Rural District Councils (RDCs) and the District Development
Fund (DDF). The Department of Roads (DoR) is responsible for the construction and maintenance
of state roads (i.e. regional, primary and secondary roads) whiles the RDC roads (i.e. ‘tertiary’ or
feeder and access roads) are the responsibility of RDCs and the DDF. 1

Railway
There is no direct connectivity by railway to any of the GPs in the province: Of the three GPs,
Nzvimbo is located nearest to a railway line, some 23 km at Glendale. Muzarabani, which is 157
km away from the railway line at Concession, is the farthest. Madziva is located about 37 km from
the railway line at Bindura. The railway network in Mashonaland Central comprises 97,1kms and 9
stations or sidings. The Paper Order System of Train Working operates the line. The track consists
of continuously welded 40kg/m rail on steel sleepers. Line operations are based on maximum
trainloads of 2 000 tonnes (Mt Hampden to Selby) and 1 100 tonnes (Selby to Shamva) using
vacuum braked wagons. The motive power used for this branch is tandem D.E. 2’s and triple D.E.
7’s. The infrastructure is generally in good condition and has ample capacity to accept a significant
increase in traffic.

Water
In Nzvimbo and Muzarabani where information is available, average water availability in dam in
May/June is 70 percent. No water rationing was reported in the over the last five years in the three
GPs, which suggest adequate water supply. Mashonaland Central is part of the catchments area of
the Zambezi River. The Province is within the water catchment areas of Angwa and Manyame
Rivers. The potential surface water is about 2,020,094 million cubic meters. There do exist dam
sites on the Mazowe, Shavahowe, Nyagui, Chikove and Nyadire rivers. Findings from the survey
reveal additional (borehole) water resources—three operational in Nzvimbo and one each in
Muzarabani and Madziva.

Sanitation
Septic tank is the main type of sewer system available in the three GPs. In Muzarabani and
Madziva the capacity of the sewer system is adequate, but inadequate in Nzvimbo.

Power
All three GPs are supplied by electricity via mains. Muzarabani and Madziva have generator and
gas as additional sources of energy supply. Only Muzarabani reported the use of solar as a source
of energy.

1DDF roads section constructs and maintains roads in Communal Areas, Resettlement Areas, and Small Scale
Commercial Farming Areas, all located within the boundaries of RDCs.

7
Telephony
The province has 9 telephone exchanges located at the various centres, 2 including the three GPs
reported here. As Table 2 shows, the average exchange capacity in the 3 GPs studied is 800 lines.
Private (residential) consumers accounts for 84 percent of existing fixed telephone lines while
commercial, institutional and industrial sectors share the remaining 16 percent. Demand as
reflected in the telephone waiting list [residential] ranges from 71 to 120 applicants in Nzvimbo and
Muzarabani respectively. Madziva, which has the highest number of fixed telephone lines, also has
the lowest number of residential applicants (35) in the waiting list.

Table 2 Capacity of exchange for mainlines

Growth Number of Fixed Telephone
Point Lines
Nzvimbo 600
Muzarabani 800
Madziva 1000
Av. 800
Source: Growth Point Study, 2005

Other Telecom Facilities and Services

In addition to fixed telephone lines, there are other telecom services available in GPs including
mobile phone reception (Nzvimbo and Madziva), ZimPost, POSB, SpeedPost and Internet access.
Muzarabani has regular supply of newspapers.

2
There are telephone exchanges in Bindura, Glendale, Concession, Mazowe, Mvurwi, Mt Darwin and Shamva.
Centenary and Guruve both have manual exchanges.

8
 3.2 Mashonaland East Province
Background
According to the 2002 Census, the total population of the Mashonaland East Province was 1 125
355. There are nine administrative districts in the province namely Chikomba, Goromonzi,
Marondera, Mudzi, Murehwa, Mutoko, Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe (UMP), Seke and Wedza. Six
out of eight growth points in the province were covered in the survey. These are: Juru (Goromonzi
District), Kotwa (Mudzi District), Mahusekwa (Marondera District), Murehwa (Murehwa District),
Mutawatawa (Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District), and Wedza (Wedza District).

Mashonaland East lies in agro-ecological regions IIA to IV. Given such wide ranging agroecology,
the province is suitable for intensive crop farming, dairy horticulture, and the production of small
grains. According to the 2000 Census of Communal Land Irrigation Schemes conducted by the
CSO and Arex (CSO, 2001), the province produced 139 tons of unshelled groundnuts representing
about 16 percent of the national total. Other crops produced in the region included potatoes,
onions, peas, tomatoes, paprika and other vegetables. The quantities produced are shown below

Crops Produced by Volume on Communal Land Irrigation Schemes in Mashonaland East

Province, 2000
Crop Crop Reaped (t) Percent of National Total
Paprika 25 29.8
Potatoes 48 66.7
Peas 89 55.3
Groundnuts (unshelled) 139 16
Onions 330 55.7
Tomatoes 780 15.7
Source: CSO, September 2001

As the table above shows, there is potential for the development of agro-processing industries for
crops such as potatoes, peas and onions in which the region’s share of the national output is
significant. Other crops produced in the regions include fruits such as mangoes, avocadoes,
mazhanje, masau, matamba, among others. While production figures for these fruits could not be
verified, further research is required to establish existing and potential capacity in the province.

In addition to fruits and vegetables, the economic base of Mashonaland East comprises livestock
products (beef, poultry, pork, goat, and sheep); minerals (black granite, kyanite, gold 3, tantalite,
manganese, and diamond); 4 forest products (mahogany, baobab, eucalyptus, honey, mushrooms,
tsvubvu); fisheries (breams, matemba, tilapia and cat fish), wildlife resources (herbs, game meat
and trophy); and tourist products (e.g. Bangauya Cave, Nyatanga Game Park and Chiunye Cultural
Centre in Mudzi; Murehwe Caves, Rock Paintings, Cultural House and Craglea Game Park in
Murehwa; Sunungukai Conservation Area, Nyatanga Game Park and Zvirigudzi Falls in
Mutawatawa; Imire Game Park in Hwedza; and Matsvitsi and Nyamudira Caves in Marondera).
One of the largest concentrations of mineral resources in the province is in Mutoko District,

3 Gold is mined in Acturus Mine, Goromonzi District. There is reported open cast mining in some parts of Hwedza

mountain The rest of the gold found in the region is alluvial (e.g. in Murehwa, Hwedza and UMP).
4 Tantalite and diamonds are reported to be still under survey in UMP and Marondera districts respectively.

9
renowned for its non-metals (granite and kyanite). The rock bearing granite is, however, exported
outside the district for cutting and polishing thereby denying the district and region valuable income
and jobs.

Infrastructure Provision

Roads
The total length of roads within the growth points range from 1 to 6km (tarred) and 4 to 14km
(gravel). Road densities also vary from 0.25 and 0.46 on the lower end to 0.5 and 4.0 on the upper
limit for tarred and gravel roads respectively. The conditions of internal (gravel) roads in
Mutawatawa, Mahusekwa and Hwedza is 55 to 65 percent “good”, while in the remaining growth
points (Juru, Kotwa and Murehwa) the gravel road are reported to be generally in “poor” condition.

Railway
There is no railroad link to any of the growth points in Mashonaland East Province. On average,
the nearest railroad node is 69.4 km from a growth point. Actual distances vary as shown on the
table below, Mahusekwa being closest to a railway line node while Kotwa in Mudzi District the
farthest.

Nearest Railway Link to Growth Points in Mashonaland East Province

Growth Point Nearest Railway Line Node Distance to Railway Node
Mahusekwa Marondera 31
Juru Harare 50
Murehwa Macheke 60
Hwedza Marondera 87
Mutawatawa Macheke 112
Kotwa Macheke 189
Source: Growth Points Study, 2005

Water
The dominant sources of water supply to growth points in the province are dams. As Figure 2
shows, water availability in May/June is variable with Mahusekwa, which is situated in a wet and
high rainfall zone, having maximum (99 percent) water availability. Kotwa and Hwedza, which are
in relatively drier Natural Region IV, have lower water availability.

10
 Figure 2 Average Water Availability in Dams in May/June

100
80
60
40
20
0
Murehwa Mahusekwa Hwedza Mutawatawa Kotwa

Source: Growth Point Study, 2005

Sanitation
Murehwa and Kotwa, which have both reticulated and septic tank systems, are the only growth
point reported with adequate sewerage. The former has in addition a blair system The remaining
four, which are serviced by sceptic tanks (Juru, Mutawatawa and Hwedza) or sceptic tanks and
blair toilets (Mahusekwa) have reportedly inadequate sewer system.

Power
All the growth points are connected to mains. The table below shows the installed capacity by
growth point. In addition, Hwedza and Juru have generator and gas as alternative sources of
energy. Surprisingly, solar is not a source of energy for domestic or industrial use.

Electricity: Installed Capacity by Growth Point, Mashonaland East, 2005

Growth Point Capacity of Electricity Available (kVa)
Mahusekwa 525
Juru 4900
Murehwa 3000
Hwedza 1500
Mutawatawa 2000
Kotwa 3000
Source: Growth Points Study, 2005

Telecom
All the growth points surveyed have telephone exchange services. At the time of the survey in
February 2005 the exchange at Marondera had the largest mainline capacity (8,256) followed by
Murehwa (2000) and Hwedza (1,000). But TelOne is reported to be in the process of expanding
the Murehwa exchange that would see the District getting additional 230 000 telephone lines (The
Herald, 27 June 2005). This would shoot Murehwa telephone exchange to the top in the province.
Of the surveyed growth points in Mashonaland East Province, Murehwa is the best served in terms
of availability of all other telecom facilities and services, including ZimPost, POSB, TelOne,
NetOne, ComOne, Econet, Telcel and Internet access.

11
 3.3 Mashonaland West Province
BACKGROUND
Mashonaland West Province had a total population of 1 222 583 in 2002 according to the
preliminary Population Census Report of 2002. Administratively, the province is made up of six
districts namely Chegutu, Hurungwe, Kadoma, Kariba, Makonde and Zvimba. The survey covered
two GPs, Mubaira and Siakobvu in Chegutu and Kariba Districts respectively. Mubaira growth point
is situated in Mhondoro. The area is rich in agriculture and mining. There is wheat farming in this
area and mining of gold and platinum, and there is an aerodrome at the growth point. Siakobvu
growth point which is within the Zambezi escarpment has much of its activities emanating from the
sale of wildlife recourses. The undulating terrains makes farming possible in the area as well as
attracting scenic viewers with its ever stretching mountains. Lake Kariba lies about 70km from the
growth point. In general, the area is seen as lagging behind in terms of developmental.

RESOURCE BASE
The Province has about 44 different types of minerals. Some of the minerals are asbestos,
antinomy, marble, quarts, chromium, magnesite, mercury, mica, molybdenum, copper, diatomite,
dolomite, iron, kaolin, limestone, nickel, platinum, pyrites, tantalum, tin, tungsten, coal, gold and
aquamarine. Although the province is rich in mineral deposits, the mining sector is still
underdeveloped. Manufacturing industries are located in the four towns of Norton, Chegutu,
Kadoma and Chinhoyi. The main products are textiles, dairy products, paper, plastics and glass.
The Province has also a number of designated wildlife areas including the Dande and Mupfurudzi
Safari areas. There is also plenty of wildlife in the Kariba area.

The Province falls in Natural Regions II-V. It is part of the catchment area of the Zambezi River,
hence besides the Zambezi with large quantities of water there are other big perennial rivers such
as Ruya, Musengezi, Hoya, Manyame, Angwa and Kadzi. Most of these rivers can potentially be
dammed. In addition to about 30 small and medium sized dams, large dams exist in Mazvikadei,
Clifton, Manyame, Claw-Gates, Ngezi and Mhondoro. Investment in dam maintenance and
operation is, however, negligible resulting in capacity underutilisation. However, the Province has
great potential for the development of agriculture, mining, tourism as well as mineral and agro-
based manufacturing industries.

Agriculture plays a leading role in the province. There is both extensive and intensive farming. In
large commercial farming areas, virginia and burley tobacco, maize, cotton, wheat, barley and
groundnuts are grown. Cotton and maize are the main crops produced by communal farmers. The
Province is also engaged in livestock production, especially dairy and beef cattle. Fishing is carried
out in Lake Kariba and there is further potential for investment in the sector.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION

Roads
There’s about 4km length of gravel road in Mubaira representing a density of 2.56 per square
kilometre, and 1.5km of tarred road. The condition of these roads is generally good. By contrast,

12
Siakobvu, which has a road (gravel) density of 3.47 per square kilometre, has only 29 percent of
the gravel roads in good condition and no tarred road.

Railway
The nearest railroad road link to Siakobvu is at Lion’s Den, some 210 km away. Mubaira is 60 km
from the nearest railway line in Chegutu. This means that in the short term all bulk freight must of
necessity depend on road transport.

Water
There are three operational boreholes currently supplying the Mubaira growth point: Five more are
planned for drilling. While there is currently no dam supplying water to the growth point, one with a
capacity of 400 000 mega litres is planned. Similarly, Siakobvu is supplied with two water springs.
Two boreholes are planned for construction with one (privately owned) having been commissioned.
Given the existing water demand and supply situation, both growth points face water rationing
during the driest months of the year.

Sanitation
Both Mubaira and Siakobvu have functioning blair toilets and sceptic tanks. In addition, Siakobvu
growth point is serviced by a reticulated system with a capacity of 2 cubic meters per month. The
level of installed sewerage services in both growth points was found to be inadequate and require
augmenting.

Power
Both growth points are supplied by electricity from the main grid. Current installed capacity is 900
kilowatts for Mubaira and 700 kilowatts for Siakobvu. The latter growth point also has gas and
generator as complementary sources of power supply. However, the plentiful sunshine available to
the two growth points studied is not being utilised. At present, there is not even a single institution,
home or business using renewable solar energy as a source of power.

Telecom
Communication in the surveyed growth points is generally constrained due to low teledensity. On
average less than half of properties in both growth points have telephone lines. This is partly due to
the fact that there are is no telephone exchange facility in either growth point. But of the two growth
point, Mubaira enjoys relatively more telecom services such as TelOne, ZimPost and POSB. None
of the above is available at Siakobvu. However, while the latter has Internet access, it has no
mobile network reception, a factor attributable to its distance from principle urban centres.

13
 3.4 Matabeleland North Province
BACKGROUND
In Matabeleland North Province the 2005 survey covered five growth points in four of the seven
districts. These were Jotsholo and Lupane in Lupane District, Nkayi in Nkayi District, Ntabazinduna
in Bubi District, and Tsholotsho in Tsholotsho District. The total area of the province is 75 025km2.
According to the 2002 Population Census Preliminary Report, this vast province had a total
population of 701 359. In general, the survey noted that there was very low investment in social
and economic infrastructure such as recreation facilities, hospitals and clinics and power. Very few
properties have electricity supply. On average 54% of Matabeleland North Province’s gravel roads
are in good condition. Despite the relatively low levels of investments, significant amount of
tourism, livestock rearing and other forms of economic activities were noted for their current and
potential value to the economic development of the region.

RESOURCE BASE
The province is mostly very dry and arid and falls within ecological regions IV and V suitable for
livestock and wildlife ranching. This is evident by the prevalence of livestock—cattle, goats, sheep
and donkeys. For example, in 1998 Matabeleland Province had 420 422 heads of cattle, or nearly
12 percent of all heads of cattle in the country (CSO, 1999). During the same year, Matabeleland
North Province had the fourth largest number of sheep by province, 11 percent of the total goats in
the country, and the third largest number of donkeys by province (ibid).

Also, drought tolerant crops such as sorghum, millet, cow peas and cotton are widely grown in the
province. Although not a major producer, the region produces other crops as well including maize,
wheat, groundnuts, edible beans and round nuts, as well as tomatoes and onions under irrigation.
For example, the region produced 34 tons on onions and 156 tons of tomatoes on communal land
irrigation schemes in 2000 (CSO, 2001).

Significant quantities of methane gas and limestone exist in Lupane. But these mineral resources
are yet to be exploited. There are also newly discovered deposits of gold in Gwitshi Area of Nkayi
District as well as in Umguza District. The province also has significant forest (timber) resources
notably hard woods such as mukwa and mahogany. Also important to the area are tourist products
(e.g. Hwange National Park, Matshwayeli Safaris and Ward 3 Cultural Village in Tsholotsho; Kami
Ruins in Umguza District; and Safari Conservancies in Lupane). Within these conservancies and
other natural areas are found wildlife resources including some of the “big five” (Lions, Elephants,
Buffalos, and Elephants), as well as Kudus and Impalas especially in Lupane.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION

Roads
Because of its relatively small size (985ha), Jotsholo growth point has the highest density of roads
(68) per square kilometre, followed by Tsholotsho (17.6), Lupane (12) Ntabazinduna (2.98) and
Nkayi (0.93). In terms of the quality of roads, apart from Ntabazinduna and Tsholotsho where most
(89 percent and 80 percent respectively) of the gravel roads are in good condition, the rest of the
growth points have between 40 and 60 percent of the gravel roads in bad conditions.

14
Railway
Ntabazinduna growth point in Umguza District is the nearest to a railway line, the Ntabazinduna
Siding about 6.5km from the centre. Lupane and Jotsholo have Gwaai Siding, which is some 48km
away, as their closest node. The nearest railway line from Nkayi is 99km away in Kwekwe while the
nearest link to Tsholotsho is in Sipepa some 78km from the growth point. Given the unexploited
natural resource base in the region, extending some of these lines to better serve the region could
be an economically viable proposal.

Water
Four out of the five growth points (i.e. Lupane, Jotsholo, Tsholotsho and Nkayi) depend on
underground source (boreholes) for supply of water. In Lupane there are currently six operational
boreholes and another four are planned for drilling. Jotsholo has four (operational) and three
(planned) boreholes, Tsholotsho four (operational) and 16 (planned), while Nkayi has three
(operational) and six (planned). As expected, all four growth points experience water rationing
during the driest months of the year. By contrast, Ntabazinduna, which has the Ingwenya Dam as
its source of water supply, has not had water rationing for the last five years. The dam has a
capacity of 2 541 x 106m3.

Sanitation
Ntabazinduna uses reticulated sewer system with a capacity of 100m3 per day (50kg BOD/day).
This is reported to be grossly inadequate to meet the current and future demand. The growth point
has septic tanks in areas not covered by the reticulated system. Both Tsholotsho and Jotsholo also
use reticulated systems although their capacities could not be established. However, both the
respective Rural District Councils (i.e. Tsholotsho and Kusile RDCs) reported adequacy of installed
capacity. Nkayi growth point uses sceptic tanks and blair toilets (considered inadequate) and
Lupane (sceptic tanks).

Power
All growth points are linked to electricity mains. Current supply capacities vary—Ntabazinduna
(0.5mVa), Lupane (3mVa), Tsholotsho (3mVa), Jotsholo (2mVa) and Nkayi (1.9mVa). In addition,
some properties in Ntabazinduna and Nkayi use generator while in Tsholotsho and Lupane there is
reported use of solar. Sources of power in the province could be further diversified when
production of methane gas begins. In the context of high energy import bill and foreign exchange
shortage, such a project would have immediate and long term benefits not only in the region but
would resonate throughout the country.

Telecom
Availability of Telecommunication Service by Growth Point, Matebeleland North Province
Growth Point TelOne NetOne ComOne ZimPost POSB SpeedPost Internet
Jotsholo Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Lupane Y Y N Y Y Y N
Nkayi Y N N Y Y N N
Ntabazinduna N N N Y Y N N
Tsholotsho Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Source: Growth Points Study, 2005

15
Clearly, Tsholotsho and Jotsholo are the best served growth points in the region. In addition to the
services shown on the table, there is mobile phone (NetOne) reception at both growth points.
Ntabazinduna also has mobile phone reception for all the major service providers, Lupane
(NetOne), and Nkayi (NetOne and Telecel).

16
 3.5 Masvingo Province
BACKGROUND
Masvingo Province comprises Bikita, Chiredzi, Chivi, Gutu, Masvingo, Mwenezi, and Zaka districts.
In 2002, the province had a population of 1 318 705. About 90 percent of the province lies in the
Southeast middle veld. The extreme southern part of the province lies in the southeastern low veld
region (< 600m). The northern reaches of the district lie within agro-ecological region III and IV,
while the bulk of the southern region lies in drought-prone Natural Region V. This means that the
southern part of the province is less suitable for crop production, but extensive livestock and
wildlife production could thrive. Fairly high mean annual temperatures of about 25oC and high solar
radiation make Masvingo Province ideal for growing a range of tropical crops and fruits.

RESOURCE BASE
The natural resource base of Masvingo consists of land, water, wildlife and minerals. Agriculture is
the mainstay of the economy of Masvingo. Crop production, for example, is important in irrigation
schemes as well as in large and small-scale commercial farming areas. The main crops grown
include groundnuts, sweet potatoes, cotton, sunflower, tobacco, sugar beans, tomatoes, paprika,
sorghum, rapoko, wheat and maize. In 2002, for example, the province was the second largest
producer of sorghum, edible dry beans and groundnuts (unshelled) in the country (CSO, 2001).

Because of the relative abundance of water bodies in the province (see section on water below),
for example, the value of sales of various vegetables (including green mealies) produced in
communal land irrigation schemes in the province in 2000 accounted for about 26.8 percent of the
national total. Some of these crops can easily be processed locally if capacity in agro-industry
existed. However, transport bottlenecks and high transaction cost in parts of the district force
farmers to sell their produce at sub-optimal prices resulting in low marginal returns for farm
investments.

A granite-greenstone belt in the north and northwest and gneisses of the Northern Marginal Zone
(Limpopo Belt) dominate the geology of Masvingo. The bulk of gold mining in the Province occurs
within the greenstone belts while the single largest gold producer in the district, Renco Mine, is
located within the Limpopo. Other minerals mined in Masvingo include iron ore (Nyuni Mountains),
asbestos (Gatsi Mine) and lithium in Bikita District. Besides minerals there are forest products such
as indigenous timber (mukamba mukwa, mutsviri and mupfura) used in the craft industry, gum
trees, wild fruits (e.g. marula), and mopane worms among others.

Tourism is also an important income earner for the province. Some of the tourist products found in
the province include the Great Zimbabwe, Lake Kyle and related water sporting activities (e.g.
boating and angling) as well as fishing (mostly bream and kapenta species), and Shagashe and
Mutirikwi National Parks where game such as baboons, monkeys, impala, water buck and leopards
can be viewed. In addition to their aesthetic value, wildlife is also an important source of meat and
trophies. Associated with the tourism industry are a host of related industries including craft that
utilise local natural resources.

17
INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION
Six growth points were surveyed namely Jerera (Zaka District), Mupandawana (Gutu District),
Nyika (Bikita District), Chivi (Chivi North District), Rutenga (Mwenezi District), and Nemanwa
(Masvingo District).

Roads
With gravel road densities averaging 1.95 per square kilometre, 85 percent of the roads in
Nemamwa can be described as “good”, Mupandawana (72 percent), Nyaka (45 percent), Jerera
(20 percent), and Rutenga (8 percent). Since the gravel roads form the most important link
between growth points and its hinterland, the current road conditions present a challenge and a
real opportunity to invest in their rehabilitation and maintenance in order that they provide easier
access and lower transport cost.

Railway
Another important part of the transport infrastructure is the railway system. But as seen already,
hardly any growth point, except for Rutenga, has a direct link to the railway network. Therefore,
maintaining and improving the road network to ensure that the link from growth points to the
nearest railway line is as unimpeded and possible is absolutely vital. This means therefore that the
distance separating Jerera from Masvingo (96km), Bikita and Masvingo (85km), Nemamwa and
Masvingo (27km), Chivi and Mashava (27km), and Gutu and Chatsworth (34km), must be as
accessible as possible.

Water
Masvingo Province forms part of the catchments for rivers and reservoirs such as Lake Mtirikwi on
River Mtirikwi, Muzhwi dam on Shahe River, Mushandike, Bangala and Magudo dams on River
Mushandike. Most rural communities including those at various growth points depend on
underground water for consumption. More than 600 boreholes and deep wells have been drilled in
the province with the most prolific ones situated within the greenstone belts in the north also
located in Natural Region III.

Sanitation
Almost two-thirds of Nemamwa growth point is reticulated except for the industrial sites, which still
use septic tanks and “cannot be connected to the reticulated system”. While Masvingo RDC which
administers the growth point reports that the (reticulated) sewer system which was commissioned
in 1996 is adequate, they also acknowledged that the septic tanks at the industrial site are
beginning to fill up. This is likely to push up maintenance cost.

At Chivi growth point, where all three systems (septic tanks, reticulated and blair toilets) are in use,
the sewer systems is considered to be inadequate. The 8m3 per month capacity reticulated sewer
system was commissioned in 1997 and has 19 years of life remaining. Due to its limited capacity,
most properties at the growth point use blair toilets and septic tanks. The same is true for Jerera,
whose facility was commissioned in 1996. Because of its equally limited capacity (8m3/month),
most properties at the growth point still use blair latrines.

Because of its relatively small size (286ha), Rutenga’s reticulated system which has a capacity to
service 1 000 stands is reportedly “adequate”. While the demand for sewerage services form the
797 properties connected to the facility is within the limits of currently installed capacity, the

18
Mwenezi RDCs will have to invest resources in construction works sooner that later considering
that the system is nearing its life with only four years remaining. By contrast, Bikita RDC says that
the reticulated system at Bikita growth point that was commissioned in 1985, and having about 10
years remaining, is very inadequate. This is not surprising give that Bikita is a relatively bigger
centres.

According to the Gutu RDC, the sewer system (ponds and onsite septic tanks) at Mupandawana
growth point is adequate and has more that three decades of life remaining.

Power
The 2005 survey showed that there is variability between growth points in terms of installed
electricity capacity that is available. As the following figure shows, Mupandawana and Nyika have
the highest installed capacity, followed by Nemamwa, Jerera, Rutenga and Chivi. Some of the
growth points, notably Chivi, Nemamwa and Mupandawana utilise generators, solar and gas as
additional sources of energy. In all cases supply from mains has the most coverage.

Electricity Installed Capacity (mVa) by Growth Point,

Masvingo Province, 2005
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Mupandawana Chivi Nemamwa Nyika Rutenga Jerera

Telecom
As the table below reveals, big difference exists in the level of telecommunication services
provision between growth points. In Rutenga and Nemamwa, for example, the only services
available are postal and mobile network reception (not shown on table). This contrasts markedly
with other growth points such as Mupandawana.

Availability of Telecommunication Service by Growth Point, Masvingo Province

Growth Point TelOne NetOne ComOne ZimPost POSB SpeedPost Internet
Chivi Y N N Y Y N Y
Jerera Y Y N Y Y N N
Mupandawana Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Nemamwa Y Y N N N N N
Nyika Y N N Y Y N Y
Rutenga Y Y N N N N N
Source: Growth Points Study, 2005

19
 3.6 Manicaland Province
BACKGROUND
While there are seven administrative districts in the Province—Buhera, Chimanimani, Chipinge,
Makoni, Mutare, Mutasa and Nyanga, only one growth point Ruwangwe in Nyanga District was
surveyed. As such the findings may not be representative of the situation in the Province, which in
2002 had a total population of 1 566 899. The nearest town to the growth point, Mutare, is 106km
away.

RESOURCE BASE
Nonetheless, Manicaland Province has about 40 different types of minerals—apatite, bauxite
corundum, dolomite, garnet, kaolin, limestone, lithium, lead, gold, magnesite, nepheline, syenite,
iron kyanite, topaz and talc. The information concerning the amount and quality of these minerals is
still inadequate (GoZ 1991:106). 5 Manicaland Province falls within all the country’s Natural
Regions. Natural Regions I and II, which have high average rainfall per annum, are suitable for
intensive crop production. Natural Region III has medium rainfall and Natural Region IV and V have
low rainfall and are suitable for extensive farming. The Province is endowed with perennial rivers
and natural scenery suitable for the tourist industry.

Agriculture is the leading productive sector in the Province. The crops produced include maize, tea,
coffee, wheat, cotton, groundnuts, soya-beans and horticultural crops. According to official
statistics for 1998, Manicaland was the leading region in the production of mhunga, rice, edible dry
beans, ware potatoes (summer crop); second largest producer of nyimo and a significant producer
of sweet potatoes (accounting for almost 21 percent of the total national output). Besides crop
production, the Province grows a lot of commercial timber. The Province is also engaged in
livestock production, especially dairy and beef cattle.

Despite its rich natural resource base, the province does not have a diversified manufacturing
industry. It has mainly agro-based industries which process horticultural produce and other crops.
These industries are mainly situated in Mutare. Although the province is rich in mineral resources,
there is very little mining going on. Only apatite is being mined on a large scale for the manufacture
of phosphoric acid that is used in the manufacture of fertilizers.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION
In Ruwangwe, the survey results show that only 25 residential properties in the growth point are
connected to electric mains. Another 10 use solar energy. This can be attributed to the fact that the
amount of disposable income among growth point residents could be relatively high given the
strong economic base of the area. The relatively short housing waiting list (78) could also indicate
that most people could be actively employed in the primary sectors and therefore are typically non-
residents at the growth point. The area is endowed with abundant waters and hence provision of
water by way of boreholes and dams is relatively inexpensive. The survey found out that there
were more than 10 planned boreholes in the area in and around the immediate vicinity of the
growth point. Though there has been very little investment in terms of water infrastructure by the
local authority, this could be explained by the closeness of water to the surface.

5 Republic of Zimbabwe (1991), Second Five-Year National Development Plan 1991-1995 (Harare: Government
Printers)

20
Roads

Railway

Water

Sanitation

Power

Telecom

21
 3.7 Matabeleland South Province
Background
Matabeleland South Province is made up of six administrative districts and these are Beitbridge,
Bulilimamange, Gwanda, Insiza, Matopo and Umzingwane. The province covers an area of 54
172km2 and has a population of 654 897. The whole province lies in agro-ecological region V
which ids suitable for cattle and game ranching. Cropping can be undertaken but on condition of
irrigation. In Matebeleland South of the 7 growth points in the province, 5 were studied namely,
Esibomvu and Mawabeni (Umzingwane, Manama (Gwanda), Maphisa (Matobo), Silalabuwa
(Insiza). the other GPs are Tongwe (Beit Bridge) and Ingwesi (Bulalima-mangwe),

Infrastructure Provision
On average the GPs have a total of 87 properties with electricity from the mains. A lot of
investment was being put to power provisioning, operations and maintenance. Roads in
Matabeleland South were noted to be in an unsound state. This is in terms of both the gravel roads
and the tarred. This is attributable to a number of factors- political, economic, environmental and
financial. Economically the region has very little resources such that there are very limited returns
when one chooses to invest there. The local authorities are also financially constrained.

In terms of communication, on average only 13 properties, according to the study were found to be
connected to telephone lines and subscription with phone exchanges was negligible. The only a
few dams in the province as compared boreholes. Surprisingly, water rationing in the area was
very minimal. This can be due to the fact that at some of the GPs use of piped water was very
limited.

Roads

Railway

Water

Sanitation

Power

Telecom

22
 3.8 Midlands Province
Background
Midlands comprises eight administrative districts namely Gokwe North, Gokwe South, Gweru,
Kwekwe, Mberengwa, Mvuma, Shurugwi and Zvishavane. The province has an area of 49 166km2
and a population of 1 366 331. The province lies mainly in Natural Region III, IV, and V, with an
annual rainfall ranging from 450-880mm. The region is generally characterised by uneven
distribution (rainfall), mid-season droughts and early cessations. This makes most of areas in the
province to be suitable for extensive livestock production while the higher rainfall receiving areas
with corresponding fertile soils are more suitable for mixed agricultural production.

Infrastructure Provision
Five growth points in Midlands Province were surveyed: Gokwe (Gokwe South), Insukamini
(Gweru), Mabasa (Zvishavane), Mataga (Mberengwa) and Zhombe (Kwekwe). Very few enlisted in
the housing waiting list registers, on average. Very few vacant stands were found at the GPs. Both
private and public investment in housing was very low, and almost nonexistent in recreational
facilities.

The road infrastructure of the region was observed to be generally poor. However those, which are
managed by the state, are in very good condition. These are the tarred roads. Because of its
abounding wealth (agricultural, mineral and wildlife), Gokwe is a good example of a ‘growing
growth point’ – GGP. As such it is one of the centres with significant positive developments. On
average the total number of properties with telephone lines in the GPs under study was 134, the
majority of which were residential. The subscribers with the exchange totalled 161 on average.
Thus in terms of communication there were many prospects and it was possible for people to earn
supplementary incomes by way of venturing into phone business and Internet cafes at the GPs
centres. In terms of water in the region, the research showed that the GPs relied mainly on dam
water. Boreholes are also important water sources in the region.

In the period of 1995 to 2000, the Government made a great stride in the construction of dams.
This may have been after the lessons of the 1992 drought. Operational and maintenance factors
have, however, been taken rather lowly. In the periods of May/ June, water availability in dams at
the GPs of Midlands is of an excellent mark, averaging 74%, relative to the neighbouring
Matabeleland regions which are so drought prone: little arable agrarian practice can be undertaken
without irrigation.

The research revealed that Midlands is very well developed in terms of the economic engagements
as well as the natural endowments, and a sound infrastructure too. However, most development is
concentrated in Gokwe.

Roads

Railway

23
Water

Sanitation

Power

Telecom

24
 Section IV Conclusion

The revival of Zimbabwe’s economy will no doubt depend to a large extent on revival of the
agricultural sector. That means a successful implementation of the agrarian programme,
particularly expanding the agro-processing capacity to create the necessary forward and backward
linkages with agriculture. It is clear from the infrastructure provision presented that different GPs
have different competitive advantage in terms of investment attraction.

25
 Annex
Growth Points Database

26

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