Highfield is a high density suburb in Harare, Zimbabwe. Harare (həˈrɑreɪ or /həˈrɑri/ formerly Salisbury) is the Capital of Zimbabwe. It is one of the oldest townships in Zimbabwe. See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election
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Highfield is a high density suburb to the south west of Harare the capital of Zimbabwe. Highfield was founded on what used to be Baxter Farm; The farm houses 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 the Short Lines area of Lusaka. 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 side of Paradise location.
Highfield is bordered by Glen Norah to the southwest, Waterfalls to the southeast, Willowvale & Southerton spanning northeast to northwest. Glen Norah is a high-density Suburb in Harare. Nearby Highfield township is regarded to be where the fight for the liberation struggle started 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.
Highfield is believed to the second oldest suburb (township)in Harare (cica 1930)that 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. A township (or Municipality) is a settlement which has the status and powers of a unit of local government Harare (həˈrɑreɪ or /həˈrɑri/ formerly Salisbury) is the Capital of Zimbabwe. Harare being a corruption of Haarari, meaning 'One who never sleeps' and this was the name given to the Zezuru Chief of this north eastern part of Zimbabwe, a Chief Harawa. Highfield has remained a poor suburb despite the regeneration after 1980. Most of its successful residents choose to move out of the area rather that invest and set up in the area. It also remains a primary destination (like most high density areas) for rural to urban migrants, who find it easier to pay rent here and set-up home industries like the Gazaland area.
Highfield is divided into zones, some with very interesting names. These comprise Lusaka (named after the Zambian capital), Egypt, Jerusalem, Canaan (Old and New), Engineering, Cherima (literally translates to 'Of the Dark', Zororo, Western triangle, Old Highfield (with 3 distinct areas, The 2 Pounds, 5 Pounds and The Stands) and Paradise which is on the southern end and joins Highfield to Glen Norah, another high density suburb. Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia. It is located in the southern part of the central plateau of the country at an elevation This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the Canaanites redirects here For the 1940s social and political movement in Israel, see Canaanites (movement. Paradise is a word of Persian origin ( Persian: پردیس Pardìs) that is generally identified with the Garden of Eden or with Heaven. NORA are a Hardcore punk band from Highland Park New Jersey. The band took their name from Nora Diniro a character from the film Pump Up the Volume
The oldest part is Old Highfield, established 1930s and the newest is Paradise which established in 1996. The most affluent parts of Highfield are the two areas of Old Highfield, The Stands and 5 Pounds. The stands are so named because of the relatively big yards. The 5 Pounds area is so named because the houses 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.
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. The Rhodesian Bush War, also known as the Second Chimurenga or the Zimbabwe Liberation Struggle, was a war which lasted from July 1964 to 1979 and Chimurenga is a Shona word for 'struggle' The word's modern interpretation has been extended to describe a struggle for human rights political dignity and social justice specifically This is because Highfield is the birth place of the Zimbabwe African National Union party now ZANU PFa party led by the now infamous Robert Gabriel Mugabe the president of Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF is a Zimbabwean Political party that was the ruling government in 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, the current Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe the first secretary General, Maurice Nyagumbo, Leopold Takawira, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Michael Mawema and others. Ndabaningi Sithole ( 31 July 1920 – 12 December 2000) founded the Zimbabwe African National Union, a militant organization that opposed Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo ( June 19, 1917 &ndash July 1, 1999) was the leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People's Union Zimbabwe African People's Union is a defunct militant Communist organization and political party that fought for the National liberation of Zimbabwe from Tapfumaneyi Maurice Nyagumbo (died 28 April[[ 989]] was a Zimbabwean politician Leopold Takawira (1916-1970 served as the Vice President of the Zimbabwe African National Union after supporting the National Democratic Party (NDP and later the Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa (born 15 September 1946) is a Zimbabwean politician 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. The Zimbabwe African National Union was a militant organization that fought against White minority rule in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African Chipembere Primary School is a government Primary school at a police camp in the Old Highfield area of Highfield in Zimbabwe. Tatenda Taibu (born May 14 1983 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean Cricketer He is a Wicket-keeper and batsman and can also bowl right arm Off
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 endured restriction within a fence "like a goat. Rhodesia was the name adopted when the formerly British colony of Southern Rhodesia declared itself independent ( Unilateral Declaration of Independence ") 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 ochestrated in, and launched from Highfield. This incident is widely seen as one of the immediate factors that forced the colonial government to the negotiating table and led to the Lancaster House Agreement that brought democracy and majority rule in Zimbabwe. The Lancaster House Agreement ended biracial rule in Zimbabwe Rhodesia following negotiations between representatives of the Patriotic Front (PF consisting of ZAPU
Robert Mugabe and his ZANU party held his 'star rally' campaign for the first democratic elections in Rhodesia at the Zimbabwe grounds in Highfield. The Zimbabwe Grounds are an area within Highfield Suburb on the south of Zimbabwe Capaital Harare This is where he predicted he would win by majority the impending elections. The Zimbabwe Grounds comprise of 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. Takashinga cricket club is a cricket club in Highfield Harare. Andrew "Andy" Flower (born 28 April 1968 in Cape Town, South Africa) was an international Cricketer for Zimbabwe and is now the Tatenda Taibu (born May 14 1983 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean Cricketer He is a Wicket-keeper and batsman and can also bowl right arm Off Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs The grounds are within a stone throw from Gwanzura footbal stadium. Gwanzura is a football stadium in Highfield Harare. It is bordered by Mushandirapamwe Hotel, Machipisa council bar bus station Jerusalem suburb and by
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 in Zimbabwe". Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. [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 major faction/ and Arthur Mutambara minor faction). Gift Tandare ( - 2007 was a member of the Zimbabwe political party Movement for Democratic Change. The Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC) is a Zimbabwean Political party. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai ( English ˈtʃæŋgəˈraɪ Shona ts͡ɸaŋgiˈra Arthur Guseni Oliver Mutambara (born 25 May 1966 is a Zimbabwean politician 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.
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). The A-level, short for Advanced Level, is a General Certificate of Education qualification in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, 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 University of Zimbabwe (UZ, is the first and largest university in Zimbabwe. The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST is a Public university located at several campuses in Pakistan that primarily trains members of the Pakistan
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. The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation 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.
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. Mbare Musika is the major trading market for vegetables and fruits in Mbare suburb of Harare Zimbabwe. 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. George Tawengwa is a prominent Zimbabwean business man He is the owner of Mushandirapamwe Hotel at Machipisa shopping centre in Highfield Harare Mushandirapamwe Hotel was at independence the transitional residence of returning Zanu troops. Mushandirapamwe Hotel is a hotel at Machipisa Shopping Centre in Highfield Harare Zimbabwe. 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 thats 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. Philip Chiyangwa (born 1959 the founder of the Affirmative Action Group a chair of Native Africa Investments Ltd The Republic of Cameroon is a unitary republic of central and western Africa. Machipisa boasts most major grocery shops in Zimbabwe, these include OK, TM, Spar, Lucky 7 etc.
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. Glen Norah is a high-density Suburb in Harare. Nearby Highfield township is regarded to be where the fight for the liberation struggle started 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 is a football stadium in Highfield Harare. It is bordered by Mushandirapamwe Hotel, Machipisa council bar bus station Jerusalem suburb and by Gwanzura has been a home ground to CAPS united, Blue Line Aces, Black Aces etc. Gwanzura is a football stadium in Highfield Harare. It is bordered by Mushandirapamwe Hotel, Machipisa council bar bus station Jerusalem suburb and by Andy Flower and Tatenda Taibu were members of Highfield Takashinga Cricket Club. Andrew "Andy" Flower (born 28 April 1968 in Cape Town, South Africa) was an international Cricketer for Zimbabwe and is now the Tatenda Taibu (born May 14 1983 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean Cricketer He is a Wicket-keeper and batsman and can also bowl right arm Off Stewart Matsikinyere and Hamilton Masakadza still play for this team. Hamilton Masakadza (born August 9, 1983 in Harare) is a Zimbabwean Cricketer He is a right-handed batsman and occasional right-arm
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 openned 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. Jamaica (ˈdʒəˈmeɪkə} is an Island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. Dancehall is a type of Jamaican Popular music which developed in the late 1970s initially as a more sparse and less political and religious variant of Reggae Dancehall and ragga music clashes are held here often, with Silverstone, Stereone, Small axe, Sweet Ebony and African Exodus Batanai being regulars. Raggamuffin music, usually abbreviated as ragga, is a sub-genre of Dancehall music or Reggae, in which the instrumentation primarily consists This article refers to the village For the motor racing circuit see Silverstone Circuit. 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.
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. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Dutch Reformed Church (in Dutch: Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk or NHK was one of many branches of churches coming out of the Protestant Reformation in Europe Pentecostalism is a renewalist religious movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on the direct personal experience of God through the Baptism For the full list of churches one can visit the Zimbabwe Council Of Churches
George Tawengwa, owner of Mushandirapwe Hotel was the first black person to buy a farm in then Rhodesia. George Tawengwa is a prominent Zimbabwean business man He is the owner of Mushandirapamwe Hotel at Machipisa shopping centre in Highfield Harare George and his wife Mabel were featured in a 1977 Herald to mark this historic milestone. His sons are all business men and farmers and Charles and Solomon Tawengwa were mayors of Harare with Charles recently appointed Senator. current president mugabe is from highfield. Leading businessman K hwengwere also hails from the surburb.