Monze is a prominent town in the Southern Province of

Zambia Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Central Africa or Southern Africa. It is bor ...

, with a population of 268,432 according to the 2022 census. It is located about 180 kilometers south-west of

Lusaka Lusaka ( ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Zambia. It is one of the fastest-developing cities in southern Africa. Lusaka is in the southern part of the central plateau at an elevation of about . , the city's population was abo ...

. It serves as the administrative center for the

Monze District Monze District is a district of Zambia Zambia, officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa. It is typically referred to being in South-Cent ...

. The town is named after Chief Monze, widely acknowledged as the spiritual leader of the Tonga people who inhabit the district. His palace is south of the town near a place called ''Gonde'' where a ceremony called Lwiindi takes place. This annual festival is a thanksgiving ceremony which attracts many people from around the country. Monze is a rapidly urbanising town with growth extending along the railway line and T1 highway. The town is divided into neighbourhoods known locally as ''‘compounds''’. There is a substantial open-air market in Monze and a small but growing range of agri-dealerships, shops, bars and restaurants.

History

During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, 50 Polish refugees escaping from German- and Soviet-occupied Poland, were admitted in Monze in 1941.

Economy

The main industry in the district is

agriculture Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...

, with maize being the most important crop. At one point in the past, the district used to produce more than 25% of the maize crop in Zambia. It was popularly known as the 'home of Zambia's

granary A granary, also known as a grain house and historically as a granarium in Latin, is a post-harvest storage building primarily for grains or seeds. Granaries are typically built above the ground to prevent spoilage and protect the stored grains o ...

'. Although its status as the leading maize producer has declined over the years, the most prominent feature in the town is still the Swedish built grain silos to the north of the town. Although these have been disused for a number of years. As with much of Southern Province, Monze has struggled with drought in recent years - crippling the agrarian economy and leading to significant food price increases.

Religion

The town has a significant Seventh Day Adventist presence, although many other Christian denominations are represented. There is also a very small but growing Muslim minority in the town.

Tourism

Local Tourism sites of significance include: The Mooring Campsite, Family Safari (off the T1), the beautiful Magoye reservoir, and the derelict remnants of Fort Monze.

References

Populated places in Southern Province, Zambia Monze District {{Zambia-geo-stub