Highfield, Harare

Highfield is a high-density suburb in Harare, Zimbabwe. It is one of the oldest townships in Zimbabwe.

Geography

Highfield is a high-density suburb to the southwest of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. Popularly known as Fio in local slang. Highfield was founded on what used to be Highfields Farm; the farmhouses and the gates can still be seen at, and have become the Highfield Rutsanana Clinic and Municipal buildings in what is now Glen Norah territory, near St Peters Kubatana High School, Highfield Cemetery and Lusaka residential area. The road that used to run southwest from the manor house across an old bridge spanning Mukuvisi River to the Seven Miles and Derbyshire areas of Waterfalls has become an integral part of Glen Norah.

Highfield is bordered by Glen Norah(formally Baxter Farm) to the southwest, Waterfalls to the southeast, Willowvale & Southerton spanning northeast to northwest. Highfield coordinates are 17 53 28.85S by 30 59 14.72E Google Earth.This is roughly the centre of Highfield and it marks the north eastern corner of Chengu primary school.

Brief history

Highfield is the second oldest suburb (township) in Harare, established c. 1930. It was established for black settlement during the colonial era (1892–1980), the first being Mbare/National (Harari)which gave its name to the Zimbabwe capital Harare. Harare was a corruption of Haarari, meaning (One who never sleeps), a name given to the Zezuru Chief of this north eastern part of Zimbabwe, a Chief Harawa who had his base at the Harare Kopje, a walking distance from Mbare. Highfield was primarily set up by the white settler colonial government to provide labour to the Southerton and Workington industrial areas that border it; this was in a similar fashion to how Harari (Mbare) had been set up to provide labour to Workington and Graniteside.

Highfield has remained a poor suburb despite the regeneration in other areas after 1980. Most of its successful residents choose to move out of the area (in a similar pattern to other high-density areas) rather than invest and set up in the area. It also remains a primary destination (like most high-density areas in Zimbabwe) for rural to urban migrants, who find it easier to pay for accommodation here and commute to work. They are also attracted by the easier opportunities to start up home businesses/industries at Machipisa and Gazaland Home Industry areas. It thus remains heavily populated, with high unemployment and is socially deprived. Petty crime is high as well as more serious crimes like burglaries, assaults and GBH.

Zones/Areas of Highfield

Highfield is divided into several zones, the primary Zones being Old Highfield and New Highfield. New Highfield was established in 1956 and comprises Lusaka, named after the Zambian capital, a testimony to a significant part of its population who are of Zambian and Malawian origin; Egypt, Jerusalem and Canaan named after biblical places; Engineering; Cherima (Dark Zone)used to be off the electricity grid; Zororo (place of rest); and Western Triangle which literary forms a triangle to the west where Highfield border with Glen Norah and Glen View. The newest area of Highfield is Paradise (1996) which is located at the southern end and borders Lusaka; it connects Highfield to nearby Glen Norah suburb to the South and part of it is in Glen Norah.

Old Highfield was established in the 1930s, and it comprises 3 distinct areas, namely The 2 Pounds, 5 Pounds, 12 Pounds and The Stands. The most affluent parts of Highfield are the two areas of Old Highfield; The Stands and the 5 Pounds. The Stands are so named because when first sold, the area was a greenfield and residents had to build houses of their choices; this is in comparison to the other areas of Highfield where the government had built low-cost basic housing for the natives and sold it at reflective prices. Historically, the yards here are very large and the houses, flamboyant and indulgent to reflect the affluent status of the black Rhodesians who settled here. Black Rhodesians who even if they afforded could not buy properties outside African designated areas naturally settled here. Some of the famous Zimbabweans to own properties here include Innocent Utsiwegota's family, Mwaera and Tawengwa's and Robert Mugabe. The 5 Pounds area is so named because the houses here were priced at 5 pounds when first sold, compared to the average of 2 pounds in other areas as reflected in the 2 Pounds name. The 2 Pounds area is relatively deprived in comparison to the other two.

Political history

It is impossible to separate Highfield and its history from the Zimbabwean second war of liberation also known as the Second Chimurenga, also see Chimurenga and the Bush war. This is because Highfield is the birthplace of the Zimbabwe African National Union party now ZANU PFa party led by the now infamous Robert Gabriel Mugabe the president of Zimbabwe. Indeed the suburb did host some of most influential players who ochestrated the war to end minority white settler rule in Zimbabwe. These include The Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole the first president of ZANU, Joshua Nkomo president of ZAPU, Herbert Chitepo first black lawyer in Zimbabwe, the current Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe the first secretary General, Maurice Nyagumbo, Leopold Takawira , Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Michael Mawema and others. Takawira a teacher by profession became the first vice president of ZANU, had taught at and later became the headmaster of Chipembere primary school in Highfield before joining ZANU; Tatenda Taibu attended this school.

Robert Mugabe's house can still be seen in Old Highfield, where it stands, riddled with bullet holes. Mugabe remains a constituent member of Old Highfield and has always cast his vote at Mhofu primary school, a walking distance from his previous residence.

Highfield suburb was considered a security risk by the Rhodesian colonial government such that it was surrounded by a security fence, (A fact quoted by Robert Mugabe during his speech in March 2007 to warn and remind the Opposition MDC party, that he was a hardened man and no push over because of imprisonment and how he had endured and overcome Restriction within a fence "like a goat.") During this time, all residents moving in and out of the area were branded and needed to produce papers stating their business in and out of the area. The bombing of the fuel storage tanks in Workington by Zimbabwean freedom fighters in 1979 was orchestrated in, and launched from Highfield. This incident together with the flagging support from South Africa is widely considered as one of the immediate factors that forced the Rhodesian Minority government to the negotiating table and led to the Lancaster House Agreement that brought democracy and majority rule to Zimbabwe.

Robert Mugabe and his ZANU party held his 'star rally' campaign for the first democratic elections in Rhodesia at the Zimbabwe grounds in Highfield. This is where he made his famous speech of how ZANU was organised into districts, cells, ..... and that it was inevitable that he would win by a significant majority in the impending elections. The Zimbabwe Grounds comprise 5 football pitches, a cricket ground, tennis and basketball courts. The grounds are surrounded by Old Highfield section on the greater part and share borders with Takashinga cricket ground (home ground to Andy Flower and Tatenda Taibu), Zimbabwe Hall, Highfield Library, a Nursery School, Anglican Church and Chipembere primary school Annexe. The grounds are within a stone throw from Gwanzura football stadium.

Security forces clashed with opposition party members and church members at the Zimbabwe grounds during a 'peaceful' meeting on 11 March 2007 that was meant to "bring back democracy to Zimbabwe".^[1] "It seems therefore that Highfield, and indeed the Zimbabwe grounds remain the launchpads for political and democratic change in Zimbabwe." This might explain why the Zimbabwean Government was so heavy-handed in dealing with those brave enough to have attended the meeting. These clashes resulted in the fatal shooting of Gift Tandare, a member of the Movement for Democratic Change (a party led by Morgan Tsvangirai Morgan Tsvangirai major faction/ and Arthur Mutambara minor faction). The family were apparently denied permission to bury him in Harare because the government feared reprisals from the MDC supporters. Gift Tandare was buried in his rural home and "he stands a good chance to down in Zimbabwean history as a national hero."

Again in November 2007 Mugabe held a rally at the Zimbabwe Grounds which he termed the "Million Man March".

Highfield boasts some of the best social amenities in country with 11 government owned primary schools and 6 High schools.It has other private schools(colleges) offering mostly secondary school education and post school courses, the most common being computers, secretarial, cut and designing etc.

Education

The most prominent high school in Highfield is Highfield High school 1. This was established in 1963 and then, was a preserve of the academic black elite.The majority of its students are from the 11 local primary schools, but it also serves surrounding suburbs of Glen Norah and Glen View. It offers secondary education from form 1 to form 6 (A Level). Academically, it remains an average school with pass rates at O level being in line with the national average. It performs better at A Levels were pass rate is well over 90%. However, few of its graduates achieve enough points to be admitted to the top universities in the country, University of Zimbabwe (UZ) in Harare, and National University of Science and Technology (NUST), in Bulawayo.

The other high schools are Mukai(Lusaka), Kwayedza (Western triangle), Highfield 2 (Egypt), AEC (Gazaland) and Highfield Community/ Mhuriimwe (Old Highfield). Highfield Community/Mhuriimwe was built before Zimabawe's independence to cater for those students who failed to get a place at Highfield 1. This was an effort by nationalist leaders that include Robert Mugabe to bring education to what was one of the most deprived 'black areas' in Harare at the time. Mugabe, a teacher by profession became a teacher at this school. This school remains lowly regarded in Highfield and it performs well below the national average. As such, a good percentage of students at this school are not from Highfield.

Amenitiess

The major shopping centre is Machipisa shopping centre, this was named after a prominent black business man; a store bearing his name can still be found at Mbare Musika bus terminus. All the major business people at this centre financially supported the fight for independence. These include Machipisa, Mwaera, Makomva, George Tawengwa - owner of Mushandirapamwe Hotel and others. Mushandirapamwe Hotel was at independence the transitional residence of returning Zanu troops. Machipisa grew to be prominent shopping centre because movement of black people was restricted before 1980, and it was therefore necessary to have a self-sufficient shopping local area. Machipisa shopping centre is a well established trading centre that boasts banks (Barclays, CABS, CBZ, POSB, Beverly and many new local banks), Night clubs (Saratoga, Jimalo (owned by Philip Chiyangwa's brother Jimmy), Mushandirapamwe Hotel (formerly a 3 star hotel that hosted Cameroon national team during their visit to Zimbabwe in 1990s), City council bar with the Gold and Silver rooms where admission demands formal dressing. Machipisa boasts most major grocery shops in Zimbabwe, these include OK, TM, Spar, Lucky 7 etc. Paul Tangi Mhova Mkondo's Regional Sharaude Taxis' HQ's is based here.

The most modern shopping centre established in Highfield is HighGlen shopping centre on the north western end of Highfield at border junction with Glen Norah and Glen View suburbs. However, despite its glamour and glitz, HighGlen has failed to attract many shoppers because of it being far from most residential areas. It however attracts the more affluent shoppers from the Marimba Park area of the nearby Mufakose suburb who can afford to drive to the centre.

Highfield is host to Gwanzura stadium which hosts premiership soccer matches. Gwanzura has been a home ground to CAPS united, Blue Line Aces, Black Aces etc. Andy Flower and Tatenda Taibu were members of Highfield Takashinga Cricket Club. Stewart Matsikinyere and Hamilton Masakadza still play for this team.

Highfield Library is one of the best equipped libraries in the country with well-developed children's sections, primary and secondary sections and college sections. This was built by the Chinese and opened by President Robert Mugabe in 1993 to replace the old library at Zimbabwe hall.

The Zimbabwe Hall remains a centre for public and private functions, with the Miss Highfield, Miss Highfield Schools, and Miss Zim Hall held regularly. It is a major centre for Jamaican-inspired dancehall music and culture. Dancehall and ragga music clashes are held here often, with Silverstone, Stereone, Small axe, Sweet Ebony and African Exodus Batanai being regulars. Zimbabwe hall also hosts a gym, study centre, and a printing centre. The Highfield Tennis Club, Netball club and volleyball teams are based at this centre.

Leisure facilities also include a swimming bath open to the public, tennis and basketball courts at the Zimbabwe grounds and Zimbabwe hall amongst other things.

Churches

Highfield is also famous for its numerous churches of all denominations; these include Roman Catholic churches (St Marks, St Pauls, St Marys branches in Engineering, Old Highfield and others), Anglican (Old Highfield and others), Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (Canaan), Dutch Reformed Church (Canaan), Methodist in Zimbabwe (John Wesley in Lusaka and others), United Methodist Church in Old Highfield and others), Pentecostal Church (Egypt and others), Zaoga, FOG, Lutheran (Old Highfield and others), Salvation Army (old Highfield and others), Sengwayo; long dresses (Lusaka and Zororo), Baptist (Canaan and others), Maranatha, Presbyterian (Old Highfield), Johanne Masowe, Mai Chaza, The African Apostolic Church led by E P Mwazha, Seventh Day Adventist (Western triangle and others), Jehovah's Witness, Mapositori/Apostles (numerous sects est over 100), AFM and others. For the full list of churches one can visit the Zimbabwe Council Of Churches.

Notable people from Highfield

• Robert Mugabe - founding father, president of Zimbabwe. Lived in Highfield before coming to power in 1980; indeed he is a constituent member of Highfield.
• Enos Nkala,- nationalist, ZANU PF founded in his Highfield's House.
• Joshua Nkomo - founding father, vice president of Zimbabwe, President of PF ZAPU.
• George Tawengwa,- owner of Mushandirapwe Hotel was the first black person to buy a farm in then Rhodesia. George and his wife Mabel were featured in a 1977 Herald to mark this historic milestone. His sons are all businessmen and farmers, and Charles and Solomon Tawengwa were mayors of Harare, with Charles recently appointed senator.
• Paul Tangi Mhova Mkondo, - nationalist, indigenous businessman and entrepreneur.
• Jimmy Jimalo - Businessman, night club owner.

Entertainment

• Oliver Mtukudzi, an international superstar and acclaimed musician, born and raised in Highfield
• Thomas Mapfumo, an international musician, owns a Division one soccer team Lions based at Gwanzura stadium, regular performer at Machipisa
• Marshall Munhumumwe and 4 brothers, musicians, formed in Highfield and were regulars at Machipisa night club and Saratoga.
• James Chimombe, a musician, grew up in Highfield and was mentored by Daniel Mugona (Sekuru Daniel) of Lusaka Highfield, sponsored and promoted by Businessman Paul Tangi Mhova Mkondo at Hide Out Club 99.
• Mukadota (Safirio Madzikatire), a massively popular multi-talented performing artist used the Cyril Jennings Hall better known as(CJ)in Old Highfield as a base for rehearsals.
• Tinashé, a British singer-songwriter.^[2]

References

External links

• Zimnetradio.com

Coordinates: 17°53′43″S 30°59′27″E / 17.895262°S 30.990785°E / -17.895262; 30.990785