Bulawayo

This article is about the city in Zimbabwe. For the royal kraal of the Zulu empire, see Bulawayo (Zulu empire).

Bulawayo koBulawayo
View of Bulawayo's Central Business District (CBD) from Pioneer House by Prince Phumulani Nyoni. The CBD is 5.4 square kilometres and is in a grid pattern with 17 avenues and 11 streets.
Flag Coat of arms
Location in Bulawayo Province
Coordinates: 20°10′12″S 28°34′48″E
Country	Zimbabwe
Province	Bulawayo
District	City of Bulawayo
Settled	1840
Incorporated (town)	1897
Incorporated (city)	1943
Divisions	4 Districts, 29 Wards, 156 Suburbs
Government
• Type	Provincial Municipality
• Mayor	Solomon Mguni
Area
• City	1,706.8 km2 (659.0 sq mi)
• Water	129.3 km2 (49.9 sq mi)
• Urban	993.5 km2 (383.6 sq mi)
• Metro	1,706.8 km2 (659.0 sq mi)
Elevation	1,358 m (4,455 ft)
Population  (2016)
• City	1,200,337
• Density	700/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
• Urban	1,205,675
• Urban density	2,305/km2 (5,970/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (CAT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (not observed)
Area code	9
HDI (2017)	0.649 medium · 1st
Website	citybyo.co.zw

Bulawayo (Ndebele: koBulawayo) is the second largest city in Zimbabwe, and the largest city in the country's Matabeleland. The city's population is disputed; the 2012 census listed it at 653,337, while the Bulawayo City Council claimed it to be about 1.2 million. Bulawayo covers an area of about 1,707 square kilometres (659 sq mi) in the western part of the country, along the Matsheumhlope River. Along with the capital Harare, Bulawayo is one of two cities in Zimbabwe that are also a province.

Bulawayo was founded around 1840 as the kraal of Mzilikazi, the Ndebele king. His son, Lobengula, succeeded him in the 1860s, and ruled from Bulawayo until 1893, when the settlement was captured by British South Africa Company soldiers during the First Matabele War. That year, the first white settlers arrived and rebuilt the town. The town was besieged by Ndebele warriors during the Second Matabele War. Bulawayo attained municipality status in 1897, and city status in 1943.

Bulawayo is, at least historically, the principal industrial centre of Zimbabwe; its factories produce cars and car products, building materials, electronic products, textiles, furniture, and food products. Bulawayo is also the hub of Zimbabwe's rail network and the headquarters of the National Railways of Zimbabwe.In recent years, the city's economy has struggled as many factories either closed or moved operations to Harare. Still, Bulawayo has the highest Human Development Index in the country, at .649 as of 2017.

Bulawayo's central business district (CBD) covers 5.4 square kilometres (2.1 sq mi) in the heart of the city, and is surrounded by numerous suburbs towards the outskirts. The majority of the city's population belong to the Ndebele people, with minorities of Shona and other groups. Bulawayo is home to over a dozen colleges and universities, most notably the National University of Science and Technology. The Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, formerly the National Museum, is located in Bulawayo, and the city is in close proximity to popular tourist sites like Matobo National Park and the Khami Ruins, and World Heritage Site.

History

See also: Timeline of Bulawayo

Inhabitant of Bulawayo, 1890

Bulawayo Scouts in 1893

The city was founded by the Ndebele king, Lobhengula, the son of King Mzilikazi born of Matshobana who settled in modern-day Zimbabwe around the 1840s after the Ndebele people's great trek from Nguniland. The name Bulawayo comes from the Ndebele word KoBulawayo meaning "a place where he is being killed". It is thought that, at the time of the formation of the city, there was a civil war. A group of Ndebeles not aligned to Prince Lobengula were fighting him as they felt he was not the heir to the throne, hence he gave his capital the name "where he (the prince) is being killed". It is said that when King Lobengula named the place "KoBulawayo" his generals asked "who is being killed mtanenkosi (prince)?" and he replied "Yimi umntwanenkosi engibulawayo", meaning "it's me, the prince, who is being killed". At the time Lobengula was a prince fighting to ascend his father's (Mzilikazi) throne. It was common at the time for people to refer to Bulawayo as "KoBulawayo UmntwaneNkosi" "a place where they are fighting or rising against the prince". The name Bulawayo is imported from Nguniland which was once occupied by the Khumalo people. The place still exists: It is next to Richards Bay.

In the 1860s the city was further influenced by European intrigue, and many colonial powers cast covetous eyes on Bulawayo and the land surrounding it. Britain made skillful use of private initiative in the shape of Cecil Rhodes and the Chartered Company to disarm the suspicion of her rivals. Lobengula once described Britain as a chameleon and himself as the fly.

During the 1893 Matabele War, the invasion by British South Africa Company troops forced King Lobengula to evacuate his followers, after first detonating munitions and setting fire to the town. BSAC troops and white settlers occupied the ruins. On 4 November 1893, Leander Starr Jameson declared Bulawayo a settlement under the rule of the British South Africa Company. Cecil Rhodes ordained that the new settlement be founded on the ruins of Lobengula's royal kraal, which is where the State House stands today. In 1897, the new town of Bulawayo acquired the status of municipality, and Lt. Col. Harry White became one of the first mayors.

Siege

At the outbreak of the Second Matabele War, in March 1896, Bulawayo was besieged by Ndebele forces, and a laager was established there for defensive purposes. The Ndebele had experienced the brutal effectiveness of the British Maxim guns in the First Matabele War, so they never mounted a significant attack against Bulawayo, even though over 10,000 Ndebele warriors could be seen near the town. Rather than wait passively, the settlers mounted patrols, called the Bulawayo Field Force, under Frederick Selous and Frederick Russell Burnham. These patrols rode out to rescue any surviving settlers in the countryside and attacked the Ndebele. In the first week of fighting, 20 men of the Bulawayo Field Force were killed and 50 were wounded. An unknown number of Ndebele were killed and wounded.

During the siege, conditions in Bulawayo quickly deteriorated. By day, settlers could go to homes and buildings in the town, but at night they were forced to seek shelter in the much smaller laager. Nearly 1,000 women and children were crowded into the small area and false alarms of attacks were common. The Ndebele made a critical error during the siege in neglecting to cut the telegraph lines connecting Bulawayo to Mafikeng. This gave the besieged Bulawayo Field Force and the British relief forces, coming from Salisbury and Fort Victoria (now Harare and Masvingo respectively) 300 miles to the north, and from Kimberley and Mafeking 600 miles to the south, far more information than they would otherwise have had. Once the relief forces arrived in late May 1896, the siege was broken and an estimated 50,000 Ndebele retreated into their stronghold, the Matobo Hills near Bulawayo. Not until October 1896 would the Ndebele finally lay down their arms to the invaders.

Modern city

In 1943 Bulawayo received city status.

In recent years, Bulawayo has experienced a sharp fall in living standards coinciding with the severe economic crisis affecting the country. The main problems include poor investment, reluctance by government to improve infrastructure and corruption and nepotism leading to most original dwellers of the city migrating south to the neighbouring South Africa. Water shortages due to lack of expansion in facilities and supplies have become steadily more acute since 1992. Cholera broke out in 2008. Though the city is the centre of the southern population generally categorized as the Matebele, the composition of the city is made up of people from all over the country thereby making it the friendliest city in Zimbabwe as it is built on a foundation of tolerance and acceptance of different cultures. The Central Business District has the widest roads which were deliberately made so to accommodate the carts that were used as a primary means of transport back when the town was planned and erected.

Bulawayo is nicknamed the "City of Kings" or "kontuthu ziyathunqa"—a Ndebele phrase for "smoke arising". This name arose from the city's historically large industrial base and specifically draws from the large cooling towers of the coal powered electricity generating plant situated in the city centre that once used to billow steam and smoke over the city. The majority of Bulawayo's population belongs to the Ndebele ethnic and language group (otherwise known as Northern Ndebele).

• 
  Bulawayo City Hall
• 
  Kenilworth Towers, residential flats

Geography

Cityscape

Suburbs

Main category: Suburbs of Bulawayo

No	Suburb/location	Origin of name
1	Ascot	Adjoining the Bulawayo Ascot race-course
2	Barbour Fields	The suburb was named after a former mayor, H. R. Barbour, who during the colonial era was greatly interested in the welfare of the indigenous people. There is a place called Barbour in Argyll & Bute. Barbour is a Scottish family name, though it was apparently first recorded on the English side of the border, in Cumberland and Northumberland. The father of Scottish vernacular poetry, John Barbour (1320–1395), is best remembered for his epic poem "The Brus", telling the story of King Robert I. The origin of the name is occupational (a cutter of hair as well as an extractor of teeth during the Middle Ages).
3	Barham Green	The suburb was named after two people. The first was a former Bulawayo City Councillor (who later became an Alderman) Mrs. M. E. Barham, M.B.E. and the other was Rev. Rufus Green. They were critical in the establishment of this suburb. During the colonial Rhodesia era, it was designated for the Coloured community.
4	Beacon Hill	Also known as Beryl Drive, reference is made to fact that it is the high point of the suburbs and possesses the areas with the highest marking beacon at its summit.
5	Bellevue	The suburb was named after the estate name. It is sometimes spelled Belle Vue. The origin of this universally popular place name is ultimately French – "beautiful view".
6	Belmont
7	Belmont Industrial Area	The area was named after a former Bulawayo City Engineer, Mr. Kinmont.
8	Bradfield	The suburb was named after Edwin Eugene Bradfield, a pioneer.
9	Burnside	This area used to be a portion of former town council area and used to be part of Matsheumhlope Farms. The name is derived from the reference to the River Matsheumhlophe. "Burn" is a Scottish and northern English word for a stream.
10	Cement	This was named after the surrounding industrial area, responsible for the making of cement.
11	Cowdray Park
12	Donnington
13	Donnington West
14	Douglasdale	The Douglas family, descendants of William de Duglas (late 12th century), was one of the most powerful in Scotland.
15	Eloana
16	Emakhandeni	Emakhandeni is the isiNdebele name for Fort Rixon, which was the area where the regiment aMakhanda were located. eMakhandeni is the locative term.
17	Emganwini	Reference is made to the plentiful amarula trees in the vicinity.
18	Enqameni
19	Enqotsheni
20	Entumbane	This is where King Mzilikazi was buried. It is one of the dozens of high-density suburbs of Bulawayo, commonly referred to as the "Western Suburbs". The first disturbances that led to the Gukurahundi were sparked in Entumbane, hence the term "Impi ye Ntumbane" that refers to the disturbances.
21	Estate name
22	Estate name
23	Fagadola
24	Famona	The suburb was named after Famona, one of the daughters of King Lobengula. It means jealousy or envy must end (literally, "die").
25	Fortunes Gate (including Mtaba Moya)	The suburb's name comes from the original property name, and the gates are those of the original market building.
26	Four Winds	The suburb name comes from the original property name; the first house was on top of a hill.
27	Glencoe	This name is etched into the Scottish psyche as the bleak glen in the Highlands where, in 1692, a party of MacDonald men, women, and children were treacherously massacred by the Campbells, who were acting under government orders.
28	Glengary	The suburb was named after its estate name. The "Glengarry" bonnet is an oblong woollen cap, popular amongst pipe bands.
29	Glenville (including Richmond South)	The suburb was named after its estate name.
30	Granite Park
31	Greenhill	The suburb's name is a reference to scenery and topography.
32	Gwabalanda	Named after a Ndebele chief, Gwabalanda Mathe.
33	Harrisvale
34	Helenvale
35	Highmount
36	Hillcrest	The suburb's name comes from the reference to topography. It is Greenhill's crest.
37	Hillside	The suburb's name is a reference to topography (Greenhill's slope).
38	Hillside South	The suburb's name comes from its position as the south facing slope of Greenhill.
39	Hume Park	"Hume"/"Home" is a Lowland Scottish family name.
40	Hyde Park	The name originates from the large number of residents who trace their ancestry to England.
41	Ilanda	Ndebele name for the egret
42	Iminyela	This is the name of a type of tree common in the area.
43	Intini	The name was given as a commemoration to the Mhlanga family, who originally set out with the Khumalo family under Mzilikazi as gratitude to their contribution to the Ndebele Kingdom, Mthwakazi. The Ntini is the totem of the Mhlanga-Mabuya clan.
44	Jacaranda	This is a reference to the jacaranda trees.
45	Kelvin (Industrial area, includes North East and West)	The area was named in reference to a suburb of Glasgow. It takes its name from the River Kelvin, a tributary of the River Clyde.
46	Kenilworth	The suburb was named after its estate name.
47	Khumalo	The suburb was named after the Royal Clan of the Matabele. The Khumalo hockey stadium is here.
48	Khumalo North	This is a reference to the position of Kumalo suburb.
49	Kilallo
50	Killarney
51	Kingsdale
52	Lakeside	Lakeside is the stretch of water at the junction of the Old Essexvale Road and the road to the suburb of Waterford, and then on to Hope Fountain Mission.
53	Lobhengula	It is named after the second and last Matabele King, Lobengula.
54	Lobenvale	The suburb's name is derived from a combination of King Lobengula's name and Umguza Valley.
55	Lochview	The suburb's name is in reference to Lakeside Dam and is famous in the city for its large Scottish residents and the Scottish style houses. According to the Bulawayo City Suburb Names website, the suburb was named in reference to Lakeside Dam.
56	Luveve	Named after Ndebele chief Luveve; established in 1935
57	Mabuthweni	The suburb's name means "where the soldiers are"; the name was given in reference to a bachelors' quarters.
58	Magwegwe	The suburb name is named after Magwegwe, who was one of the significant people in King Lobengula's royal Bulawayo town.
59	Magwegwe North	This is a reference to the position relative to that of Magwegwe.
60	Magwegwe West	This is a reference to the position relative to that of Magwegwe.
61	Mahatshula	Mahatshula is named after one of the Ndebele Indunas, Mahatshula Ndiweni.
62	Makhokhoba	The suburb got its name from the actions of Mr. Fallon, who used walk around with a stick. The name comes from the word "umakhokhoba" which was how the locals referred to Fallon, meaning "the little old man who walks with a stick". The word actually describes the noise of the stick hitting the ground, ko-ko-ko, or the doors. It is the oldest African dwelling in the city. Political activism was rife in the pre-Zapu era.
63	Malindela	The suburb was named after the mother of Faluta, who was the mother of Lobengula, i.e., after Lobengula's maternal grandmother.
64	Manningdale	It is named after the developer of the suburb.
65	Marlands
66	Matsheumhlope	The name comes from the association with the river ("White Stones"). White stones in Ndebele Proper and Zulu language are "amatshe amhlope".
67	Matshobana	The suburb was named after Matshobana, who was a chief of the Khumalo clan and more significantly he was the father of Mzilikazi, the founder of the Ndebele Kingdom.
68	Montgomery	It is named after Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, a decorated British Army commander.
69	Montrose	The suburb was named by the estate developers, and street names are of many Cotswolds villages and towns.
70	Morningside
71	Mphophoma	The name comes from a descriptive Ndebele name for the area, which was derived from the sound the Mpopoma River makes when flowing.
72	Munda	The Tonga name for a plot of land on which people would farm
73	Mzilikazi	The suburb was named after the founder of uMthwakazi, King Mzilikazi. It is a stone's throw away from Barbourfields suburb, separated by a road called Ambulance Drive that leads to one of Zimbabwe's large hospitals, Mpilo.
74	New Luveve	Reference is made to the suburb Luveve; see Luveve suburb.
75	Newsmansford
76	Newton	Estate name
77	Newton West	Reference to position (Newton)
78	Nguboyenja	Named after Lobengula's son and heir
79	Njube	Named after one of Lobengula's sons
80	Nketa	It is named after the traditional heritage site of Nketa Hill on which King Lobengula assembled his entire kingdom and divided its citizens according to cultural ethnicity and stages of incorporation into three groups: the Zansi which is Xhosa for "south", referring to the people who left the Zulu Kingdom originally; the Enhla or Nxele, which referred to the second mass incorporated group, which was the Swati, Pedi, and Sotho, with whom they settled in Mhlahlandela 1; the final group was the Hole /ˈxɒli, which constituted of the Shona, Kalanga and Bakwena. Most historians argued that this was clear evidence of Lobengula's lack of foresight and political tact as he was literally undoing what his father had spent his lifetime trying to achieve: a unified kingdom with a single identity.
81	Nkulumane	One of the sons of King Mzilikazi and heir, founder of the Matebele kingdom
82	North End	Reference to the direction of the suburb
83	North Lynne
84	North Trenance	Reference to position relative to that of Trenance
85	Northlea
86	Northvale	Former town council area; reference to position and (Umguza) valley
87	Ntaba Moyo
88	Orange Grove
89	Paddonhurst	Named after Major Cecil Paddon, O.B.E. (pioneer)
90	Parklands	Estate name; Park Lands estate A (portion of original grant to Dominican Sisters)
91	Parkview	Situated on the location adjacent to the Centenary Park and proposed location of Bulawayo Zoo
92	Phelandaba	Phelandaba translates as "the matter is concluded", a reference to the successful conclusion to the struggle for security.
93	Phumula	Phumula means "a resting place", reference to the fact that many have built homes there to retire to.
94	Phumula South	Named in reference to relative position of Pumula
95	Queens Park	A reference to the Queen and the three main roads – Victoria, Alexandra and Elizabeth
96	Queens Park East	A reference to the position relative to that of Queen Park
97	Queens Park West	A reference to the position relative to that of Queen Park
98	Queensdale
99	Rangemore	The suburb adopted the original estate name.
100	Raylton	The suburb adopted the original estate name.
101	Richmond
102	Riverside	Derived from the original estate name, which was in reference to the Umguza River
103	Romney Park	The suburb was named after George Romney, a British painter.
104	Sauerstown	Named after Dr. Han Sauer, original owner of the land
105	Selbourne Park	Named after the main road of Selbourne Avenue, now called L. Takawira Avenue, facing Ascot Mansions
106	Sizinda	Battle regiment of Mzilikazi of the Matabele
107	Southdale
108	Souththwold	The suburb was named by the estate developers, and street names are of many Cotswolds villages and towns.
109	Steeldale	Composite name referring to industry
110	Suburbs	This was the first suburb in Bulawayo and retained that name. The suburb has many tree-lined avenues and is where the Centenary Park, Natural History Museum and the Bulawayo Athletic Club are found.
111	Sunninghill	After British royal residence (given to present Queen at time of marriage)
112	Sunnyside	Chosen from list of suggested names
113	Tegela	The name is derived from a Ndebele word ukwethekela meaning "to visit".
114	The Jungle
115	Thorngrove	The suburb's name came from the large number of mimosa (thorn) trees in the area.
116	Trenance
117	Tshabalala	This is the "isibongo" or praise name for Lobengula's mother, Fulata, who was of Swazi extraction.
118	Tshabalala Extension	Extension in reference to the suburb of Tshabalala
119	Umguza Estate	Named after the Umguza River which runs through it
120	Upper Rangemore	Name in reference to Rangemore suburb
121	Waterford
122	Waterlea
123	West Somerton
124	Westgate
125	Westondale
126	Willsgrove
127	Windsor Park	Named after English town or Guildford Castle grounds
128	Woodlands	Chosen from a list of suggested names
129	Woodville
130	Woodville Park

Retained the old estate name.

Bougainvillea outside a Bulawayo home

Topography

The city sits on a plain that marks the Highveld of Zimbabwe and is close to the watershed between the Zambezi and Limpopo drainage basins. The land slopes gently downwards to the north and northwest. The southern side is hillier, and the land becomes more broken in the direction of the Matobo Hills to the south.

Petrea flower in a garden in Bulawayo

Climate

Due to its relatively high altitude, the city has a subtropical climate despite lying in the tropics. Under the Köppen climate classification, Bulawayo features a semiarid climate (BSh). The mean annual temperature is 19.16 °C (66.44 °F), similar to Pretoria at a similar altitude but almost 600 km (373 mi) farther north. As with much of southern and eastern Zimbabwe, Bulawayo is cooled by a prevailing southeasterly airflow most of the year and experiences three broad seasons: a dry, cool winter season from May to August; a hot dry period in early summer from late August to early November; and a warm wet period in the rest of the summer, early November to April. The hottest month is October, which is usually the height of the dry season. The average maximum temperature ranges from 21 °C (70 °F) in July to 30 °C (86 °F) in October. During the rainy season, daytime maxima are around 26 °C (79 °F). Nights are always cool, ranging from 8 °C (46 °F) in July to 16 °C (61 °F) in January.

The city's average annual rainfall is 594 mm (23 in), which supports a natural vegetation of open woodland, dominated by Combretum and Terminalia trees. Most rain falls in the December to February period, while June to August is usually rainless. Being close to the Kalahari Desert, Bulawayo is vulnerable to droughts and rainfall tends to vary sharply from one year to another. In 1978, 888 mm (35 in) of rain fell in the three months up to February (February 1944 is the wettest month on record with 368mm) while in the three months ending February 1983, only 84 mm (3 in) fell.

Climate data for Bulawayo
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	36.7 (98.1)	34.4 (93.9)	35.6 (96.1)	33.0 (91.4)	30.6 (87.1)	28.3 (82.9)	28.3 (82.9)	32.2 (90.0)	35.0 (95.0)	36.7 (98.1)	37.2 (99.0)	35.2 (95.4)	37.2 (99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	27.7 (81.9)	27.2 (81.0)	27.1 (80.8)	25.9 (78.6)	24.1 (75.4)	21.6 (70.9)	21.5 (70.7)	24.4 (75.9)	27.9 (82.2)	29.4 (84.9)	28.7 (83.7)	27.7 (81.9)	26.1 (79.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)	21.8 (71.2)	21.2 (70.2)	20.6 (69.1)	18.7 (65.7)	16.0 (60.8)	13.7 (56.7)	13.8 (56.8)	16.4 (61.5)	19.9 (67.8)	21.6 (70.9)	21.7 (71.1)	21.4 (70.5)	18.9 (66.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	16.5 (61.7)	16.2 (61.2)	15.3 (59.5)	13.0 (55.4)	9.9 (49.8)	7.4 (45.3)	7.2 (45.0)	9.1 (48.4)	12.4 (54.3)	15.0 (59.0)	16.0 (60.8)	16.3 (61.3)	12.9 (55.2)
Record low °C (°F)	10.0 (50.0)	9.4 (48.9)	8.4 (47.1)	3.5 (38.3)	0.0 (32.0)	−3.9 (25.0)	0.0 (32.0)	0.0 (32.0)	1.4 (34.5)	6.9 (44.4)	7.2 (45.0)	8.9 (48.0)	−3.9 (25.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	117.8 (4.64)	104.6 (4.12)	51.4 (2.02)	33.3 (1.31)	7.0 (0.28)	2.2 (0.09)	1.0 (0.04)	1.4 (0.06)	7.0 (0.28)	38.4 (1.51)	91.1 (3.59)	120.3 (4.74)	575.5 (22.66)
Average rainy days	10	8	5	3	1	1	0	0	1	4	8	10	51
Average relative humidity (%)	69	71	70	62	56	54	48	43	41	43	55	63	56
Mean monthly sunshine hours	244.9	212.8	251.1	252.0	279.0	267.0	288.3	300.7	288.0	272.8	237.0	226.3	3,119.9
Mean daily sunshine hours	7.9	7.6	8.1	8.4	9.0	8.9	9.3	9.7	9.6	8.8	7.9	7.3	8.5
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization NOAA (sun and mean temperature, 1961–1990)
Source 2: Deutscher Wetterdienst (extremes and humidity)

Water supply

Bulawayo has good quality tap water owing to the management of the water authorities, meeting international standards . Bulawayo does not recycle waste water but uses treated waste water for irrigation.

Bulawayo experiences water shortages in drought seasons due to the overwhelming increase in population versus the static and sometimes decreasing capacity of the reserve dams. The geographical factors causing water scarcity are rising temperatures, the area's high elevation and the arid environment of Matabeleland. Bulawayo provides residents with water by using a system of dams, treatment plants, and reservoirs.

Environmental and sanitation circumstances have detrimental effects on water quality. Sources such as groundwater and tap water are subject to pollution due to waste from burst sewers contaminating them. Samples taken from well water from the Pumula and Robert Sinyoka suburbs show that well water maintain levels of coliform higher than the Standards Association of Zimbabwe and World Health Organization give.

Demographics

Population census controversy

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1992	620,936	—
2002	676,650	+9.0%
2012	653,337	−3.4%
Source: Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT)

The population of Bulawayo, according to the 2012 national census, stood at 653,337; however, this figure has been rejected by the Bulawayo City Council authority with Councillor Martin Moyo claiming an anti-Bulawayo conspiracy to under-fund projects in the city.

The population of the city according to metropolitan council sources is closer to 1.5 million and a more closer and estimated figure being 1.2 million. Reports have alluded to the de-industrialization of the city as the reason for its population decline, a claim which was rubbished as council officials referred to the fact that, in 1992 the city's population stood at 620,936. It had grown in the number of households due to urban expansion. City authorities also laid claim to the fact that the current water challenges facing the city were a result of an increasing population despite its economic challenges.

Economy

Bulawayo was known as the industrial hub of Zimbabwe. This is the reason why the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair is hosted in Bulawayo. It had a large manufacturing presence with large industries based here before Zimbabwe's economic collapse. However, some of these companies have either moved operations to Harare or have closed down — which has crippled Bulawayo's economy. Most factories are deserted and the infrastructure has since been left to deteriorate. The reason for the de-industrialization has largely been political with some factories like Gold Star sugar company removing machinery that was installed during colonial times to open new factories in Harare . When Government passed Indegenisation laws some successful businesses were taken over by Zanu PF people only to close down a fews years later.

Many locals argue that it is because of marginalisation they experience against the government due to cultural differences between the Shona in Harare and the Ndebele in Bulawayo because the National railways of Zimbabwe (headquarters in Bulawayo) is a government parastatal and, as such, should have been thriving had it not been for embezzlement of funds by company executives who are believed to be Shona. The water issue is not new and had brought about the "help a thirsty Matabele" initiative of the 1970s and the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project which would put an end to the water issue in Matabeleland was drafted; however, this project was put on hold soon after independence.

These allegations have all been labeled hogwash by the relevant authorities. However, they have only fueled the secessionist initiative into a general opinion. The city still contains most of what remains of Zimbabwe's heavy industry and food processing capability. This includes a thermal power station that resumed operations in February 2011 after a capitalisation deal with the Government of Botswana where Bulawayo would supply 45 megawatts in three years.

Like many parts of the country, Bulawayo has for the past ten years seen a huge drop in service delivery and an increase in unemployment due to the resignations of people seeking better prospects across the border. Many people resorted to farming, mining, and the black market for sustenance, while others depended on the little foreign currency that would be sent by family in other countries. However, with the introduction of the multi-currency system in 2009, a new approach is seen by investors in the city who admire the already-available infrastructure; the huge workforce; and Bulawayo as great prospects. It is set to once again contribute greatly to the economy of Zimbabwe.

The city is served by Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and the other international airport in the region being the Victoria Falls International Airport. Bulawayo is the capital of the bigger Matabeleland province which is arguable Zimbabwe's tourism paradise. Matabeleland boosts of Victoria Falls, Matopo National Park, Hwange National Park, Khami Ruins and a bigger share of Lake Kariba . The city is located within an excellent road and rail transport network linking the region to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique.

The Bulawayo Centre

Important buildings and infrastructure

The Nesbitt Castle, Bulawayo

These include:

• Ascot Centre
• Bulawayo Centre
• Bulawayo Golf Club
• Fidelity Life Centre
• Mhlahlandlela Government Complex
• Nesbitt Castle
• NRZ building
• National University of Science and Technology

Government

Bulawayo is governed by the Bulawayo City Council, which is headed by the Mayor of Bulawayo.

Bulawayo City Council

File:Bulawayo city council headquarters.jpg

Bulawayo City Council Offices

Although controlled by the main opposition party MDC-T, the council has managed to stand out as the leading municipality in Zimbabwe in service delivery to its residents, through campaigns engineered by the city council such as the #mycitymypride campaign and #keepbyoclean on social media. These have been met with positive responses by residents and other stakeholders in the city. In recent years, Bulawayo has been widely perceived as the cleanest city in Zimbabwe due to the council's effective waste management strategy.

In 2015 the city of Bulawayo was praised for its town planning that, unlike major urban areas such as Harare and Chitungwiza, has not been marred by corruption and problems such as illegal settlements. The municipality police are among the hardest working as they maintain order in the city without corruption or favour.

Attractions and amenities

Centinary Park

Museums

Bulawayo has museums of national importance, including the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, National Gallery, Bulawayo and the Bulawayo Railway Museum.

Parks

There are a number of parks in Bulawayo, including

• Centenary Park (which includes an amphitheatre, lawns and a large fountain)
• Barham Green
• Hillside Dams Conservancy (which has a number of dams within it)
• Mabukweni

Sports

Opening ceremony of the African Olympic Hockey Qualifiers 2011, Khumalo Hockey Stadium

Bulawayo is home to the Queens Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club, two of the three grounds in Zimbabwe where test match cricket has been played.

Bulawayo Golf Club, the first golf club in the city and country was established in 1895. The Matsheumhlope river cuts through the 18 hole course in the suburbs.

It is home to Hartsfield Rugby grounds where many international Test matches have been played. Hartsfield was developed by Reg Hart, after whom the grounds were named and on which field many of southern Africa's greatest rugby players have competed. It is home to two large football teams: Highlanders and Zimbabwe Saints. Other football teams include Bantu Rovers, Chicken Inn, How Mine, Quelaton, and Bulawayo City (R).

Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe

Other important sporting and recreational facilities include

• Barbourfields Stadium
• Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Grounds
• Kumalo Hockey Stadium
• Ascot Racecourse
• Khami Ruins
• White City Stadium
• karate centers

Infrastructure

Transport

14A class Engine no 515 on Ash Spur shunt, Bulawayo Station

The city has a total road network of about 2100 kilometres; 70 percent was declared in 2017 in a poor condition. The R2 road links Bulawayo with the Capital Harare.

The city has Bulawayo Station on the Harare-Gaborone main line and the Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway.

On the 1 November 2013, a new terminal of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, formerly known as Bulawayo Airport, was opened.

Healthcare

Bulawayo is home to a large number of hospitals and other medical facilities. The United Bulawayo Hospitals, a public hospital network, operates Bulawayo Central Hospital, Richard Morris Hospital, Lady Rodwell Maternity Hospital, and Robbie Gibson Infectious Diseases Hospital. Mpilo Central Hospital, is the largest hospital in Bulawayo, and the second-largest in Zimbabwe, and features a nursing school and midwifery school on its campus. Bulawayo is also home to Ingutsheni Hospital, which at 700 beds is the largest psychiatric hospital in Zimbabwe. Other hospitals in Bulawayo include All Saints Children's Hospital, Hillside Hospital, Mater Dei Hospital, the Nervous Disorders Hospital, St Francis Hospital, and Thorngrove Isolation Hospital.

Education

In Bulawayo, there are 128 primary and 48 secondary schools.

Primary schools

No.	School Name
1.	Amaswazi Primary School
2.	Amaveni Primary School
3.	Babambeni Primary School
4.	Baines Infant School
5.	Baines Junior
6.	Barham Green Primary School
7.	Carmel Primary School
8.	Coghlan Primary School
9.	Dominican Convent Primary School, Bulawayo
10.	Dumezweni Primary School
11.	Emakhandeni Primary School
12.	Fairbridge Primary School
13.	Fusi Primary School
14.	Gampu Primary School
15.	Godlwayo Primary School
16.	Helemu Primary School
17.	Henry Low Primary School
18.	Hillside Infant School
19.	Hillside Junior School
20.	HQ 1 Brigade Primary School
21.	Hugh Beadle Primary School
22.	Induba Primary School
23.	Infant School
24.	Ingubo Primary School
25.	Ingwegwe Primary School
26.	Inkanyezi Primary School
27.	Insukamini Primary School
28.	Intunta Primary School
29.	Inzwananzi Primary School
30.	John Slaven Primary School
31.	Josiah Chinamano Primary School
32.	King George VI Memorial School
33.	Kumalo Primary School
34.	Lobengula Primary School
35.	Lobengula Primary School
36.	Lochview Primary School
37.	Losikeyi Primary School
38.	Lotshe Primary School
39.	Lukhanyiso Primary School
40.	Luveve Primary School
41.	Mabhukudwana Primary School
42.	Mafakela Primary School
43.	Mafela Primary School
44.	Magwegwe Primary School
45.	Mahlabezulu
46.	Mahlathini Primary School
47.	Malindela Primary School
48.	Manondwana Primary School
49.	Manyewu Primary School
50.	Maphisa Primary School
12.	Masiyephambili Junior School
51.	Masuku Primary School
52.	Maswazi Primary School
53.	Matshayisikova Primary School
54.	Mawaba Primary School
55.	Mazwi Primary School
56.	Mbizo Primary School
57.	McKeurten Primary School
58.	Mganwini Primary School
59.	Mgiqika Primary School
60.	Mgombane Primary School
61.	Mhali Primary School
62.	Milton Junior School
63.	Mkhithika Primary School
64.	Moray Primary School
65.	Mpumelelo Primary School
66.	Mthombowesizwe Primary School
67.	Mtshane Primary School
68.	Mtshede Primary School
69.	Mtshingwe Primary School
70.	Mzilikazi Primary School
71.	Newmansford Primary School
72.	Ngwalongwalo Primary School
73.	Nketa Primary School
74.	Nkulumane Primary School
75.	Ntabeni Primary School
76.	Ntshamathe Primary School
77.	Nyamande Primary School
78.	Petra Primary School
79.	Phelandaba SDA Primary School
80.	Queen Elizabeth II Primary School
81.	Rangemore Primary School
82.	Robert Tradgold Primary School
83.	Rose Camp Primary School
84.	Senzangakhona Primary School
86.	Sigombe Primary School
87.	St. Bernards R.C Primary School
88.	St. Patricks R.C Primary School
89.	St. Thomas Aquinas Primary School
90.	Tategulu Primary School
91.	Tennyson Primary School
92.	Thembiso Primary School
93.	Thomas Rudland Primary School
94.	Trenance Primary School
95.	Waterford Primary School
96.	Whitestone School
97.	Woodville Primary School
98.	Zulukandaba Primary School

Secondary and high schools

Main article: List of secondary schools in Bulawayo

Schools outside Bulawayo

• Falcon College – outskirts of Bulawayo, Esigodini
• Plumtree School – 88 km (55 miles) from Bulawayo, in Plumtree
• John Tallach High School
• Inyathi High School – 70 km from Bulawayo
• St James girls high -nyamandlovu 80 miles from Bulawayo
• George Silundika
• Mtshabezi High School

Higher education

Bulawayo is home to a number of colleges and universities. The National University of Science and Technology, the second-oldest university in Zimbabwe, was established in Bulawayo in 1991. Solusi University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution established in Bulawayo in 1894, gained university status in 1994. Additionally, the University of Zimbabwe and the Catholic University of Zimbabwe, both based in Harare, operate satellite campuses in Bulawayo.

Bulawayo is home to a number of institutes of technology and vocational colleges, including Bulawayo Polytechnic College, Speciss College, and the Zimbabwe School of Mines, among others. The city is also home to several teachers' colleges, including the Blended Education College of Southern Africa, Hillside Teachers' College, and the United College of Education.

Media

Newspapers

The Chronicle, a state-owned daily newspaper, and its Sunday edition, The Sunday News, are published in Bulawayo. The Chronicle is the second-oldest newspaper in Zimbabwe, and along with The Herald, published in Harare, it is one of two major state-owned newspapers in the country. UMthunywa, a state-owned Ndebele-language newspaper, is also published in Bulawayo, where the majority of the population belongs to the Ndebele people. Private online publications like Bulawayo24 News and B-Metro are also based in Bulawayo.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Bulawayo

Sister cities

Bulawayo has six sister cities:

• Aberdeen, United Kingdom (1986)
• Durban, South Africa
• Polokwane, South Africa (2012)
• Katima Mulilo, Namibia
• Francistown, Botswana
• Livingstone, Zambia

See also

• List of cities and towns in Zimbabwe

Bibliography

See also: Bibliography of the history of Bulawayo