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HARARE is the capital, the biggest and most populous settlement in Zimbabwe.
It is the heart and soul of our country and it has the biggest airport, the biggest football stadium and the biggest cricket stadium.
But, how much do we really know about our capital city which, according to some experts, has the world’s best climate where a summer sport like cricket can be played throughout the year?
From today we will be running a series of articles to educate our readers on the history of our capital city, especially its suburbs.
Fittingly, we start with a suburb whose name has an initial which represents the first letter in the alphabet (A).
AVONDALE
Situated north of the city centre, Avondale was the first low density suburb for the colonialists to be established in Harare in 1903.
Before it became a suburb, Avondale was a dairy farm.
It was named after Avondale, County Wicklow, Ireland – the home of 19th Century Irish politician Charles Stewart Parnell by Edward O’Connell Farrell.
He was a veterinary surgeon who attached to the colonial forces.
Avondale was incorporated into the then Salisbury Municipality in 1934 – exactly 90 years ago.
The first official marriage ceremony among the colonialists in this country took place on Avondale Farm in 1894 – exactly 130 years ago.
There are only two places named Avondale in Africa and they are found in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
There are 26 places named Avondale in the entire world and these places are found in just FIVE countries around the globe.
· There are 20 places named Avondale in the United States of America.
· There are two places named Avondale in New Zealand.
· There are two places named Avondale in Australia.
· There is one place named Avondale in Zimbabwe.
· There is one place named Avondale in South Africa.
Online Reporter