Chimanimani, originally known as Melsetter, is a town in

Zimbabwe file:Zimbabwe, relief map.jpg, upright=1.22, Zimbabwe, relief map Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Bots ...

Location

Chimanimani is a village located in

Manicaland Province Manicaland is a Provinces of Zimbabwe, province in eastern Zimbabwe. After Harare Province, it is the country's second-most populous province, with a population of 2.037 million, as of the 2022 Zimbabwe census, 2022 census. Making it the third mo ...

, in south-eastern Zimbabwe, close to the border with

Mozambique Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique, is a country located in Southeast Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west, and Eswatini and South Afr ...

. The village lies about , by road, south of

Mutare Mutare, formerly known as Umtali until 1982, is the capital and largest city in the province of Manicaland. It is the third most populated in Zimbabwe. Having surpassed Gweru in the 2012 census, with an urban area, urban population of 224,802 ...

, the location of the provincial headquarters. Its location lies approximately , by road, southeast of

Harare Harare ( ), formerly Salisbury, is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Zimbabwe. The city proper has an area of , a population of 1,849,600 as of the 2022 Zimbabwe census, 2022 census and an estimated 2,487,209 people in its metrop ...

, the

capital Capital and its variations may refer to: Common uses * Capital city, a municipality of primary status ** Capital region, a metropolitan region containing the capital ** List of national capitals * Capital letter, an upper-case letter Econom ...

of Zimbabwe and the largest city in that country. The coordinates of the village of Chimanimani are: 19° 48' 0.00"S, 32° 51' 36.00"E (Latitude:19.8000; Longitude:32.8600). ''Main Sights:'' Chimanimani has various nature-based attractions for visitors, most notably Bridal Veil Falls. The Bridal Veil picnic and camping site is located in a small national park about a walk, or a short drive, from the village. The falls itself plunges down a sheer rock face into a crystal clear pool. Close to the town are the Arboretum, Green Mount, and Pork Pie sanctuary. The Chimanimani Mountains are a short drive from the village. There are numerous hiking trails throughout the rugged Chimanimani range. Local guides are available. For adventure activities there is an Outward Bound centre nearby. It offers a range of activities and life-skill programs, accommodation and camping facilities, and access to the Paradise Pool. Other attractions in the Chimanimani Mountain range include the Nyakwaha and Haroni Botanical Reserves, as well as the Haroni and Mukurupiri waterfalls.

Climate

Chimanimani receives rainfall throughout the year. The average temperature is about .

Economy

The local economy of Chimanimani is primarily based on agriculture, with crops such as maize, beans, and vegetables being grown. Livestock farming is also common in the area.

History

Chimanimani was founded by the brothers Thomas Moodie and Dunbar Moodie in 1892. In 1895 it was moved to its current site and was officially called Melsetter after Moodie's family home in

Orkney Orkney (), also known as the Orkney Islands, is an archipelago off the north coast of mainland Scotland. The plural name the Orkneys is also sometimes used, but locals now consider it outdated. Part of the Northern Isles along with Shetland, ...

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

. Following Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, the name of the town was changed to Mandidzudzure, in 1982. However, after consultation with the population, the name was changed to Chimanimani. The city was badly hit by Cyclone Idai in 2019, and was cut off from the regional capital due to damage to roads. The primary school in Chikukwa was destroyed.

Notable people from Chimanimani

Samuel Undenge Samuel Undenge (born 1956) is a Zimbabwean politician. He is the former Energy and Power Development Minister. Until 2018 he was a member of parliament from the Chimanimani East constituency in Manicaland Province. He was formerly the Minister of ...

Munacho Mutezo Munacho T.A. Mutezo (born 14 February 1954) is a Zimbabwean engineer, businessman and politician. He was born on 14 February 1954 in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe. Government positions/timeline 2005–2008 Minister for Water Resources and Infrastruct ...

Arthur Mutambara Arthur G.O. Mutambara is a multifaceted leader, academic, and technology expert currently serving as the director and full professor of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge (IFK) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa. Ren ...

Tafataona Mahoso Tafataona P. Mahoso, dubbed 'the Media Hangman' by local and international media, was the controversial and vitriolic chairman of the Media and Information Commission (MIC), an organ that was created by Jonathan Moyo to control the media in Zimbab ...

John Mangudya John Panonetsa Mangudya (born 5 October 1963) is a former governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. He was appointed in March 2014 by the then Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, and began his tenure as governor on 1 May that year. His second 5 ...

Tendai Chatara Tendai Larry Chatara (born 28 February 1991) is an international cricketer who represents the Zimbabwe national cricket team. A tall, wiry fast bowler with appreciable pace and the ability to move the ball away from the right-hander, Chatara ro ...

Learnmore Jonasi Learnmore Manyenyeka (born 22 August 1993), formerly known as Long John the Comedian, now known professionally as Learnmore Jonasi, is a Zimbabwean stand-up comedian, actor and MC. He is also known as "The Village Boy" and has won the 2019 Nation ...

Population

The 1982 national census estimated the population of the town at 1,370. In 2004, the population of Chimanimani was estimated at 2,752. The next national population census in

is scheduled from 18 August 2012 through 28 August 2012.Next Population Census In Zimbabwe Scheduled For August 2012
/ref> Most of the inhabitants of Chimanimani are of Ndau origin.

References

External links

Location of Chimanimani At Google Maps
{{Authority control Populated places established in 1892 Populated places in Manicaland Province