Shamva
Shamva | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Country | Zimbabwe |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 10,317 |
Shamva is a Town located in the Mazowe Valley, 80km NE of Harare, in Mashonaland Central Province. It is the terminus of the Mazowe Valley railway, and has a direct road link with Harare. The name is said to mean "friendliness". Another story is the name Shamva is derived from Tsamvi, a tree common in that region. Early settlers could not pronounce Tsamvi hence changed it to Shamva. It was called Abercorn until 1913.[1]
Location
17° 19′S, 31° 34′E. Altitude 970m.
History
Attracted by stories (Portuguese and local) and numerous old workings, prospectors moved to the area. In 1895, gold was re-discovered, leading to the first white settlement. Most were killed in one attack during the First Chimurenga. Shamva Gold Mine was opened 1908 - 1930. There was perhaps more speculation than actual gold found. In 1927, 3500 workers struck for better pay. One of the first, and most significant, demonstrations of the power of black labour.
Other information
Gold and nickle is found in the area.
Cotton, maize, soyabeans and tobacco are the major crops.
Population
The Rhodesian Census of 1969 put the population at 720 African, 63 European, and 2 Coloureds for a total of 780.
According to the 1982 Population Census, the village had a population of 4,617.
It is now home to about 10,317.
The main schools in the area are Wadzanai Primary School and Wadzanai Secondary School which are run by the Shamva district council.[2]
Government
Central Government
In the Zimbabwe 1985 Parliamentary Election, Bindura/Shamva returned to Parliament:
- Joice Teurai Ropa Nhongo of Zanu PF - 42 822 votes.
- Arthur Muchena of PF-ZAPU - 415 votes.
- Ishmael Chemael Stephen Hajabu of UANC - 344 votes.
In the 1990 Parliamentary Election (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Shamva returned to Parliament:
- Donald Nyamaropa of Zanu PF - Unopposed.
In the 2000 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Shamva returned to Parliament:
- Nicholas Tasunungurwa Goche of Zanu PF with 19 460 votes,
- Joseph Mashinya of MDC with 5 621 votes.
In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Shamva North returned to Parliament:
- Nicholas Goche of Zanu PF with 19 194 votes or 90.95 percent,
- Isaac Chidavaenzi of MDC–T with 1 909 votes or 9.05 percent,
- Anderson Matibiri of MDC–N with 0 votes or 0.0 percent,
Total 21 103 votes
In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Shamva South returned to Parliament:
- Joseph Mapiki of Zanu PF with 22 332 votes or 91.96 percent,
- Leman Pwanyiwa of MDC–T with 1 514 votes or 6.23 percent,
- Louis Chikeya of MDC–N with 438 votes or 1.80 percent,
Total 24 284 votes
Local Government
Local Government includes Chaminuka RDC.
Infrastructure
See Chindunduma No 2 Secondary School.
See Wadzanai High School.
Further Reading
References
- ↑ [1], ZimFieldGuide Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ↑ Shamvwa, Wikipedia, Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ↑ [Katherine Sayce (Ed), Tabex, Encyclopedia Zimbabwe], Tabex, Encyclopedia Zimbabwe, (Quest Publishing, Harare, 1987), Retrieved: 25 July 2019
- ↑ [R. Kent Rasmussen (ed), Historical Dictionary of Zimbabwe/Rhodesia] (The Scarecrow Press, London, 1979) Retrieved 8 August 2019"
- ↑ [Mary Akers (ed.), Encyclopaedia Rhodesia] (The College Press, Salisbury, 1973) Retrieved 8 August 2019"
