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Coordinates: 19°40′S 30°00′E / 19.667°S 30.000°E / -19.667; 30.000
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:''This article is about the town. For the district, see [[Shurugwi District]].''
{{About|the town|the district|Shurugwi District}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
'''Shurugwi''', formerly '''Selukwe''', a town and administrative centre in [[Midlands, Zimbabwe|Midlands Province]], southern [[Zimbabwe]], located about 350km south of [[Harare]]; population 16,138 (Central Statistical Office, Zimbabwe. ''Census of Population'', 1992. Harare: Government Printer). The town was established in 1899 on Selukwe goldfield, which itself was discovered in the early 1890s not long after the annexation of [[Rhodesia]] by the [[Pioneer Column]]. The district remains an important centre for gold and chrome mining, but is perhaps best known as the home district of the former Rhodesian Prime Minister [[Ian Douglas Smith]] who still owns a farm near [[Gwenoro Dam]].
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name = Shurugwi
| other_name = Selukwe
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| settlement_type = Town
<!-- images, nickname, motto --->
| image_skyline =
| image_caption =
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
| image_shield =
<!-- maps and coordinates ------>
| image_map =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = Zimbabwe
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Shurugwi
| coordinates = {{coord|19|40|S|30|00|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
<!-- location ------------------>
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flagicon|ZIM}} [[Zimbabwe]]
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = [[Midlands, Zimbabwe|Midlands Province]]
| subdivision_type2 =
| subdivision_name2 = <!-- etc., subdivision_type6 / subdivision_name6 -->
<!-- established --------------->
| established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| established_date = 1899
| founder = British South Africa Company and Willoughby's Consolidated Company
| leader_party =
| leader_title =
| leader_name = <!-- add &nbsp; (no-break space) to disable automatic links -->
| area_total_km2 = <!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
| area_land_km2 =
| area_land_sq_mi =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_sq_mi =
<!-- elevation ----------------->
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| elevation_min_m =
<!-- population ---------------->
| population_footnotes = <ref name="pop">[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/zimbabwe/cities/ Citypopulation.de] Population of cities & urban localities in Zimbabwe</ref>
| population_total = 22,900
| population_as_of = 2022 census
| population_density_km2 = <!-- for automatic calculation of any density field, use: auto -->
| population_density_sq_mi =
<!-- time zone(s) -------------->
| timezone1 = [[Central Africa Time|CAT]]
| utc_offset1 = +2
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<!-- postal codes, area code --->
| postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... -->
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
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<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec1 = [[Oceanic climate#Subtropical highland variety (Cfb, Cwb)|Cwb]]
<!-- website, footnotes -------->
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}


'''Shurugwi''', originally known as '''Selukwe''',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203041146/http://www.parlzim.gov.zw/attachments/article/96/NAMES_ALTERATION_ACT_10_14.pdf Names (Alteration) Act Chapter 10:14]</ref> is a small town and administrative centre in [[Midlands, Zimbabwe|Midlands Province]], southern [[Zimbabwe]], located about 350&nbsp;km (220 miles) south of [[Harare]], with a population of 22,900 according to the 2022 census.<ref name="pop"/> The town was established in 1899 on the Selukwe Goldfield, which itself was discovered in the early 1890s not long after the annexation of [[Rhodesia]] by the [[Pioneer Column]].
==Industry==


The town lies in well wooded, hilly and picturesque country at an altitude of about 1,440 metres (4700') and is well watered having a typical annual rainfall of 89&nbsp;cm (3'). On a clear day it is quite possible to see the hills around Masvingo and Great Zimbabwe, the latter being over 145&nbsp;km (90 miles) away.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rhodesia.me.uk/Selukwe.htm |title=Selukwe |website=www.rhodesia.me.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010100037/http://www.rhodesia.me.uk/Selukwe.htm |archive-date=2014-10-10}} </ref>
'''Shurugwi''' was established in 1899 by the British South Africa Company and Willoughby's Consolidated Company. Its name was derived from a nearby bare oval granite hill that resembled the shape of a pigpen (selukwe) of the local Venda people. The town is the terminus of a branch rail line from [[Gweru]] (formerly Gwelo), 22 miles (35 km) to the north. Shurugwi is one of [[Zimbabwe]]'s largest producers of chrome; base metals also are mined there. Its healthful climate and scenic location attract tourists and retired people


==History==
==Natural Resources==
'''Selukwe''' was established in 1899 by the [[British South Africa Company]] and Willoughby's Consolidated Company. Its name was derived from a nearby bare oval granite hill that resembled the shape of a pigpen (''selukwe'') of the local Karanga people.


The district remains an important centre for gold, chrome and platinum mining, but is perhaps best known as the home district of [[Ian Douglas Smith]], a former [[Prime Minister of Rhodesia]], who owned the 4,000 acre Gwenoro Farm near [[Gwenoro Dam]].
The town is located on the mineral rich belt, commonly known as the [[Great Dyke]] in [[Zimbabwe]], making it one of the most mineral rich towns in the country. [[Chromite]], [[Gold]] and [[Nickel]] are all mined around [[Shurugwi]]. The town is also placed on one the most natural beautiful places in [[Zimbabwe]]. [[Wolfshall Pass]], commonly known as [[Boterekwa]] due to the winding of the road as it negotiates its way up and between mountains. This is very similar to the pass after [[Louis Trichardt]] in [[South Africa]]

==Industry and agriculture==
The town is the terminus of a branch rail line from [[Gweru]] (formerly Gwelo), 32&nbsp;km (21&nbsp;miles) to the north. Shurugwi is one of [[Zimbabwe]]'s largest producers of chrome; other metals also are mined there. Its healthful climate and scenic location attract tourists and retired people. The largest employers are [[ZIMASCO]], [[Unki mine]], a subsidiary of [[Anglo American plc|Anglo-American]] through its platinum wing, [[Angloplats]], the government through education, agriculture and health.

Most farmers are [[peasant farmers]] who grow maize and other high grain producing crops. Animal husbandry is also practised to some extent.

==Natural resources==
The town is located on a mineral-rich Archaean greenstone belt, known in this area as the Selukwe Schist Belt,<ref>Stagman J G.(1978) An Outline of the Geology of Rhodesia. Rhodesia Geological Survey Bulletin No.80, p32</ref><ref>Vermaak CF(1986) Summary Aspects of the Economics of Chromium. in: Anhaeusser CR & S Maske, Eds. Mineral Deposits of Southern Africa II. Geol. Soc. S. Afr. p1170</ref> making it one of the most mineral-rich towns in the country. [[Chromite]], gold and nickel are all mined around Shurugwi. The town is also located on one of the most beautiful places in [[Zimbabwe]], [[Wolfshall Pass]], commonly known as [[Boterekwa]] due to the winding of the road as it negotiates its way up and between mountains. This is very similar to the pass close to [[Louis Trichardt]] in South Africa since both were constructed by an Italian firm, the difference only being that there are tunnels in [[Louis Trichardt]]. It has been a scene of many road accidents with most of them fatal. The most notable of these accidents occurred in 1966 when a bus load of students from Chrome Secondary School overturned. Only three teachers survived the crash.

==Facilities==
Most of the infrastructure in Shurugwi is very old. There was only one hotel in the town center – the Grand Hotel, which used to operate as a bar before it was turned into a shop for building materials and motor spare parts. Slowly the town of Shurugwi is being transformed to suit all kinds of business activities unlike what it used to be only gold trade center. The population have doubled as compared to the last decade. Apart from mining, it is now growing into an agriculture sector.


==Education==
==Education==
There are a number of schools in Shurugwi including Parkinson High, Chrome High, Shurugwi 2, Batanai High School, Charles Wraith Primary, Railway Block Primary School, Peak Mine Primary, Selukwe Primary, Ironsides Primary Impali primary (Owned by Unkie Mineetc. Most of the better secondary schools are found in Shurugwi rural area, such as [[Pakame Mission]], one of the oldest schools in the country, a [[Methodist]] run mission school which is about 40&nbsp;km (25 miles) by road on the South towards Zvishavane, close to [[Guruguru Mountain]], a [[volcanic]] solid rock mountain in [[Shurugwi Rural Areas]]; [[Tongogara High School]], a government operated boarding school 40&nbsp;km (25 miles) to the East and [[Hanke Adventist High School]], an [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|SDA]] run school 10&nbsp;km (6 miles) on the North of Tongogara. Next to Hanke there is a school called Svika High named after a nearby Svika mountain which are the rural areas of Francis Nhema the Zanu Pf Member of Parliament for Shurugwi North. All these schools offer up to [[Advanced Level (UK)|Advanced Level ("A-Level")]] education.

There are also some post-independence-era schools with basically poor standards of education with pass rates of below 5% on [[Ordinary Level]] ([[O-levels]]) which is due to a lack of quality teachers who normally do not want to teach in rural areas.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} [[Rusununguko Secondary School]] which is along the Chivi/[[Beit Bridge]] road is one of the few schools to attain A-level status in its class.


Shurugwi also has rural primary schools such as [[Vungwi Primary School]], [[Matamba Primary School]], Tumba Primary Schools, Dhlemiti Primary school, Chironde Primary school, Zvizhazha Primary School, Mavedzenge Primary School, Musavezi Primary School and Nhema Primary School. Most of the graduates leave Shurugwi after primary/secondary education to pursue further education, usually A levels, in other towns as far as Harare. A relative minority ultimately end up studying at the [[University of Zimbabwe]] and other post independent universities in Zimbabwe or even at universities abroad. Shurugwi has produced a considerable number of professionals, notably in the fields of [[Chartered Accountants]], lawyers, engineers, and medical doctors. There is a private college Institute of Business Technology popularly known as IBT College, founded by Dr Godfrey Gandawa, that offers academic school forms 1 to 6, and professional and computing courses at national foundation certificate, national certificate and national diploma levels with HEXCO examination status.(Now closed)
Most of the infrastructure in Shurugwi is very old. There is only one hotel in the town centre - the Grand Hotel which now operates as a bar. There are a number of schools in Shurugwi including Pakiston High, Shurugwi 1, Shurugwi 2, Batanai High School etc. Most better schools are found in Shurugwi rural area, such as [[Pakame Mission]], one of the oldest schools in the country, a [[Methodist]] run mission school which is about 40 km by road on the South towards Zvishavane, very close [[Guruguru Mountain]], a [[volcanic]] solid rock mountain in [[Shurugwi Rural Areas]], [[Tongogara High School]], a government operated boarding school 40km to the East and [[Hanke Adventist High School]], an [[SDA]] run school 10 km on the North of Tongogara. All these schools offer up to [[Advanced_Level_%28UK%29|Advanced Level ("A-Level")]] education.


Mhangami Primary School is an Anglican church run school. Originally called St Pius, it was renamed Mhangami in honour of the local Chief Mhangami. The school was established in 1943 and offers up to grade 7.
There are also some post independence (Post April 18, 1980) schools with basically poor standards of education with pass rates of below 5% on [[Ordinary Level]] ([[O-levels]]) which is due to quality teachers who normally do not want to teach in rural areas. [[Rusununguko Secondary School]] which along the Chivi/[[Beit Bridge]] road offers better education though. It is one of the few schools to attain [[Advanced_Level_%28UK%29|A-Level]] status in its class.


Shurugwi has quite a number of notable schools that drive the academic excellence of the town which are notably:
Shurugwi also has some good rural primary schools such as [[Vungwi Primary School]] and Tumba Primary Schools. Most of the graduates leave Shurugwi after primary/secondary education to pursue further education (usually A' Levels) in other towns as far as Harare. A relative minority ultimately end up studying at the [[University of Zimbabwe]] and other post independent universities in Zimbabwe or even at universities abroad.
Resultantly, Shurugwi has produced a considerable number of professionals, notably in the fields of [[Chartered Accountants]], Lawyers, Engineers, Medical Doctors etc. There is no tertiary college of any form in Shurugwi and its surrounding areas, with the nearest Polytechnic college available 60km away in [[Gweru]].


{{div col|colwidth=30em|content=
Shurugwi remains a relatively important town in Zimbabwe largely to potential mineral wealth, large tracts of arable land and a suitable climate for cattle ranching.
* [[Selukwe Primary School]]
* [[Charles Wraith Primary School]]
* [[Railway Block Primary School]]
*[[Peak Mine Primary School]]
* [[Ironsides Primary School]]
* [[Shurugwi Chrome Secondary School]]
* [[Shurugwi 2 High School]]
* [[Parkinson High School]]
* [[Batanai High School]]
* [[Pakame High School]]<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://brill.com/view/journals/jra/23/1-4/article-p318_18.xml|doi = 10.1163/157006693X00184|title = Thompson Samkange: Tambaram and Beyond|year = 1993|last1 = Ranger|first1 = Terence|journal = Journal of Religion in Africa|volume = 23|issue = 1–4|pages = 318–346}}</ref>
* [[Tongogara High School]]
* [[Rusununguko Secondary School]]
* [[Hanke Adventist High School]]
* [[Vungwi Primary School]]
* [[Matamba Primary School]]
* [[Tumba Primary Schools]]
* [[Dhlemiti Primary school]]
* [[Chironde Primary school]]
* [[Zvizhazha Primary School]]
* [[Mavedzenge Primary School]]
* [[Musavezi Primary School]]
* [[Nhema Primary School]]
}}


==Notable residents==
==Employment==


* [[Ian Smith]], Rhodesian Prime Minister and Zimbabwean Member of Parliament
The greatest employers are [[ZIMASCO]], [[UNKI Mine]], a [[subsidiary]] of [[Anglo-American]] through its platinum wing, [[Angloplats]], the government through education, agriculture and healthy.
* [[Nyaradzo Mashayamombe]], founder of Tag A Life International Trust (TaLI)


== References ==
[[Category:Towns in Zimbabwe]]
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Midlands (Zimbabwe)]]


{{Geography of Zimbabwe}}
{{coor title dm|19|40|S|30|00|E|region:ZW_type:city}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:Populated places in Midlands Province]]
[[de:Shurugwi]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1899]]

Latest revision as of 14:36, 13 May 2024

This article is about the town. For the district, see Shurugwi District.

Shurugwi
Selukwe
Town
Shurugwi is located in Zimbabwe
Shurugwi
Shurugwi
Location of Shurugwi
Coordinates: 19°40′S 30°00′E / 19.667°S 30.000°E / -19.667; 30.000
CountryZimbabwe Zimbabwe
ProvinceMidlands Province
Founded byBritish South Africa Company and Willoughby's Consolidated Company
Population
 (2022 census)[1]
 • Total22,900
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)
ClimateCwb

Shurugwi, originally known as Selukwe,[2] is a small town and administrative centre in Midlands Province, southern Zimbabwe, located about 350 km (220 miles) south of Harare, with a population of 22,900 according to the 2022 census.[1] The town was established in 1899 on the Selukwe Goldfield, which itself was discovered in the early 1890s not long after the annexation of Rhodesia by the Pioneer Column.

The town lies in well wooded, hilly and picturesque country at an altitude of about 1,440 metres (4700') and is well watered having a typical annual rainfall of 89 cm (3'). On a clear day it is quite possible to see the hills around Masvingo and Great Zimbabwe, the latter being over 145 km (90 miles) away.[3]

History[edit]

Selukwe was established in 1899 by the British South Africa Company and Willoughby's Consolidated Company. Its name was derived from a nearby bare oval granite hill that resembled the shape of a pigpen (selukwe) of the local Karanga people.

The district remains an important centre for gold, chrome and platinum mining, but is perhaps best known as the home district of Ian Douglas Smith, a former Prime Minister of Rhodesia, who owned the 4,000 acre Gwenoro Farm near Gwenoro Dam.

Industry and agriculture[edit]

The town is the terminus of a branch rail line from Gweru (formerly Gwelo), 32 km (21 miles) to the north. Shurugwi is one of Zimbabwe's largest producers of chrome; other metals also are mined there. Its healthful climate and scenic location attract tourists and retired people. The largest employers are ZIMASCO, Unki mine, a subsidiary of Anglo-American through its platinum wing, Angloplats, the government through education, agriculture and health.

Most farmers are peasant farmers who grow maize and other high grain producing crops. Animal husbandry is also practised to some extent.

Natural resources[edit]

The town is located on a mineral-rich Archaean greenstone belt, known in this area as the Selukwe Schist Belt,[4][5] making it one of the most mineral-rich towns in the country. Chromite, gold and nickel are all mined around Shurugwi. The town is also located on one of the most beautiful places in Zimbabwe, Wolfshall Pass, commonly known as Boterekwa due to the winding of the road as it negotiates its way up and between mountains. This is very similar to the pass close to Louis Trichardt in South Africa since both were constructed by an Italian firm, the difference only being that there are tunnels in Louis Trichardt. It has been a scene of many road accidents with most of them fatal. The most notable of these accidents occurred in 1966 when a bus load of students from Chrome Secondary School overturned. Only three teachers survived the crash.

Facilities[edit]

Most of the infrastructure in Shurugwi is very old. There was only one hotel in the town center – the Grand Hotel, which used to operate as a bar before it was turned into a shop for building materials and motor spare parts. Slowly the town of Shurugwi is being transformed to suit all kinds of business activities unlike what it used to be only gold trade center. The population have doubled as compared to the last decade. Apart from mining, it is now growing into an agriculture sector.

Education[edit]

There are a number of schools in Shurugwi including Parkinson High, Chrome High, Shurugwi 2, Batanai High School, Charles Wraith Primary, Railway Block Primary School, Peak Mine Primary, Selukwe Primary, Ironsides Primary Impali primary (Owned by Unkie Mineetc. Most of the better secondary schools are found in Shurugwi rural area, such as Pakame Mission, one of the oldest schools in the country, a Methodist run mission school which is about 40 km (25 miles) by road on the South towards Zvishavane, close to Guruguru Mountain, a volcanic solid rock mountain in Shurugwi Rural Areas; Tongogara High School, a government operated boarding school 40 km (25 miles) to the East and Hanke Adventist High School, an SDA run school 10 km (6 miles) on the North of Tongogara. Next to Hanke there is a school called Svika High named after a nearby Svika mountain which are the rural areas of Francis Nhema the Zanu Pf Member of Parliament for Shurugwi North. All these schools offer up to Advanced Level ("A-Level") education.

There are also some post-independence-era schools with basically poor standards of education with pass rates of below 5% on Ordinary Level (O-levels) which is due to a lack of quality teachers who normally do not want to teach in rural areas.[citation needed] Rusununguko Secondary School which is along the Chivi/Beit Bridge road is one of the few schools to attain A-level status in its class.

Shurugwi also has rural primary schools such as Vungwi Primary School, Matamba Primary School, Tumba Primary Schools, Dhlemiti Primary school, Chironde Primary school, Zvizhazha Primary School, Mavedzenge Primary School, Musavezi Primary School and Nhema Primary School. Most of the graduates leave Shurugwi after primary/secondary education to pursue further education, usually A levels, in other towns as far as Harare. A relative minority ultimately end up studying at the University of Zimbabwe and other post independent universities in Zimbabwe or even at universities abroad. Shurugwi has produced a considerable number of professionals, notably in the fields of Chartered Accountants, lawyers, engineers, and medical doctors. There is a private college Institute of Business Technology popularly known as IBT College, founded by Dr Godfrey Gandawa, that offers academic school forms 1 to 6, and professional and computing courses at national foundation certificate, national certificate and national diploma levels with HEXCO examination status.(Now closed)

Mhangami Primary School is an Anglican church run school. Originally called St Pius, it was renamed Mhangami in honour of the local Chief Mhangami. The school was established in 1943 and offers up to grade 7.

Shurugwi has quite a number of notable schools that drive the academic excellence of the town which are notably:

Notable residents[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Citypopulation.de Population of cities & urban localities in Zimbabwe
  2. ^ Names (Alteration) Act Chapter 10:14
  3. ^ "Selukwe". www.rhodesia.me.uk. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014.
  4. ^ Stagman J G.(1978) An Outline of the Geology of Rhodesia. Rhodesia Geological Survey Bulletin No.80, p32
  5. ^ Vermaak CF(1986) Summary Aspects of the Economics of Chromium. in: Anhaeusser CR & S Maske, Eds. Mineral Deposits of Southern Africa II. Geol. Soc. S. Afr. p1170
  6. ^ Ranger, Terence (1993). "Thompson Samkange: Tambaram and Beyond". Journal of Religion in Africa. 23 (1–4): 318–346. doi:10.1163/157006693X00184.
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