HISTORY OF MUNICIPALITY OF GWANDA

 

The Gwanda town became a settlement in the 19th century and developed firstly as the centre of gold fields and later as the railway point for the thousands of herd of cattle from the surrounding areas. The town was administered by the Gwanda town Board which served as a committee of the then Gwanda Rural council up to 12th April 1991 when it was upgraded to a town, becoming the first town in Matabeleland South Province. Gwanda town was later elevated to a municipality on 22nd January 1999. Basically a mining town, Gwanda was established to provide support to the mining and agricultural sector.

Gwanda town is the provincial capital of Matabeleland South Province, and is surrounded by mining settlements such as Blanket Mine, Vubachikwe Mine, Colleen Bawn Portland Pretoria Company, Jessie Mine and numerous small scale miners, as well as the illegal or informal gold miners.

The opportunities offered by the economic hub of Matabeleland South have led to a significant population growth. The town boasts of vitality for growth with a potential. Such a trend has resulted in the growth of the floating population consisting of mainly budding small scale entrepreneurs requiring services and marketing their services. The town however has no industry to offer employment opportunities for its population.

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