Chirumhanzu District
Chirumhanzu District is a Second-order Administrative Sub-division of Midlands (Zimbabwe) between Mvuma and Masvingo.
Its center is about 46 km south of Mvuma but the administrative centre has moved to Mvuma a small mining town just off the Harare-Beitbridge Highway near Gweru Turn-off.
Geography
The district is 496 square kilometers in area. In 2002 census there were 70,441 people, thus 16,319 households and given a growth rate of 1.1% per annum, the current population is estimated at +/- 80,000. (2016)
Chirumanzu communal lands occupy the southern part of Chirumanzu district between longitude 29˚50́E and 30˚45Έ and between latitudes 19˚30́S and 20˚20́S.[1]
Weather
The mean annual rainfall is 650mm while the mean temperature ranges from 12-28˚C. [2]
Climate change means that weather and climate information should now be packaged timely and with greater relevance to specific areas, to help small-scale farmers plan better. For Chirumanzu District, click |this | external link for an updated current and weekly weather forecast.
Background
Chirumhanzi District derives its name from the legendary Chirumhanzu chieftain. Chirumhanzu was a descriptive name for a particular chief. The correct spelling should be Chiri-muhanzu meaning "that which is in the garment". The original Chief Chirimuhanzu had a celebrated garment made of dassie or rock-rabbit skins.[3][4] He had special a pouch he kept under the garment skirts which many still think was a talisman or a stolen treasure. Local people, following their custom, did not dare to mention the chief's traditional name, and just said "Chirimuhanzu," meaning "that whatever in the garment". No one knew what dangled from underneath his garment, and they referred to that thing as "it in the garment" _ Chiri-mu-hanzu.
Local government
Chirumanzu Rural District Council now officially called Takawira Rural District Council is the local authority in this district. It operates in terms of the Zimbabwe Rural District Councils Act[5]
Takawira RDC covers 2 parliamentary constituencies, Chirumhanzu constituency and Chirumanzu-Zibagwe constituency.
Economy
The chrome rich Great Dyke passes through the districts. There are a number of small mines along the Great Dyke which include |Netherburn Mine Latitude: -19°19'26.47" Longitude: 30°9'9.97" and Africa Chrome Fields[6]
The bigger mines are Duration Gold, Athens Mine, Zimasco and Zim Alloys.[7]
Hospitals
There are several mission hospitals in Chirumhanzu District; Mwoyomusande Mission, Driefontein, Holy Cross Mission, Hama Mission, Muonde Mission and St Theresa.[8]
Education
Primary schools
Source: Chirumanzu Primary Schools[9]
- Angley Ranch Primary School
- Batanai Primary School
- Chapwanya Primary School
- Chihosho Primary School
- Chilimanzi Primary School
- Chimbindi Primary School
- Chinyuni Primary School
- Chitendrano Primary School
- Chitora Primary School
- Chiweshe Primary School
- Chizvinire Primary School
- Debwe Primary School
- Driefontein Primary School
- Fairfield Primary School
- Gwanza Primary School
- Govere Primary School
- Guramatunhu School
- Mavhaire Primary school
- Machekano Tokwe Primary School
- Makanya School
- Mashamba Primary School
- Maware Primary School
- Mazvimba School
- Muwani Primary School
- Gambiza Primary School
- Nyamandi Primary School
- Hwata Primary School
- Mhende Primary School
- Munikwa Primary School
- Mutya Primary School
- Nyautongwe Primary School
- Rupepwe Primary School
- Shashe Primary School
Secondary schools
Source: Chirumanzu Secondary Schools[10]
- Chengwena Secondary School
- Chizhou Secondary School
- Gonawapotera School
- Lalapanzi Secondary School
- Mapiravana Secondary School
- Mutenderende Secondary School
- Siyahokwe Secondary School
- Holy Cross High School
- Hama Mission School
- Mushandirapamwe Secondary School
- Chamakanda Secondary School
- Chishuku Secondary School
- Driefontein Secondary School
- Leopold Takawira High School
- New England Secondary School
- Rambakombwa Secondary School
- Otton Drift Secondary School
- Taringana secondary school
- Mukomberanwa Secondary School
References
- Homepage Geograpjical Location and Statistical Data chirumanzurdc.co.zw|Retrieved 5 March 2016
- Homepage Geograpjical Location and Statistical Data chirumanzurdc.co.zw|Retrieved 5 March 2016
- Chief Information Officer|September 1960 Lore and Legend_CHILIMANZI |A district between Umvuma and Fort Victoria. Correctly Chirimuanzu, meaning “it is in the garment”. The original Chief Chirimuanzu had a celebrated garment made of rock-rabbit skins. rhodesianheritage.blogspot.nl|Retrieved 4 March 2016
- Isibindi |Colourful Place Names of Rhodesia: Chilimamzi |... The district is named after a local chief who was originally and more correctly called Chirimuanzu, meaning "it is in the garment". The original Chief Chilimanzi had a celebrated garment made of rock-rabbit skins, and the people, following local custom of not daring to mention his tribal name, used to say "it" (the chief) "is in the garment". rhodesia.me.uk|Retrieved 4 March 2016
- Ministries of Local Government International Rural District Councils Act. Archived 2015-02-08 at the Wayback Machine MLGI|Resources|Retrieved 4 March 2016
- Harmony Agere|5 July 2016 for small-scale miners |The miners are also hoping to sell some of their stock piled ore to the recently commissioned Africa Chrome Fields’ chrome processing plant in Chirumhanzu. Sunday Mail|News|4 March 2016
- Homepage History chirumanzurdc.co.zw|Retrieved 5 March 2016
- Homepage |The Ring | Simple.Safe.Smart| Chirumhanzu Muonde Mission Hospital & St Theresa Hospital thering.co.zw|Locations|Retrieved 4 March 2016
- Info Chirumanzu Primary Schools Zimbabwe Schools|Retrieved 4 March 2016
- Info Chirumanzu Secondary Schools Zimbabwe Schools|Retrieved 4 March 2016