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 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. 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 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. 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.

Zones/Areas of Highfield

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.

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.

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 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. 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. 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 endured 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 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.

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 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. The grounds are within a stone throw from Gwanzura footbal 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 in Zimbabwe". [http://hrw.org/reports/2007/zimbabwe0507/zimbabwe0507web.pdf] "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). 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.

Facilities

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 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. 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. 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 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. 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

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 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.

Entertainment

* Oliver Mtukudzi, a 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 Highfields and learnt his guitar from Daniel Mugona (Sekuru Daniel) of Lusaka Highfield.
* Mukadota (Safirio Madzikatire), a performing artist, practised at Cyril Jennings (CJ) Hall in Old Highfield.