Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
MATABELELAND North is positioning large-scale private property developments as catalysts for planned urban expansion, housing delivery and local economic development, with the 15 000-stand Kings City project emerging as a major development in the province.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Crown Ridge phase and the third Kings City Property Fair, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North Richard Moyo said the development demonstrated how private-sector investment could complement Government efforts to address housing needs while transforming settlements.
“Last year, I had the pleasure of joining you here to commission 498 stands at Kingsbury Estate. To return barely a year later to witness the ongoing expansion and the official commissioning of the Crown Ridge phase speaks volumes.
“It demonstrates that Radar Properties is not merely talking about development; they are walking the talk, as envisioned by His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, that ‘ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo’.”
The latest phase, Crown Ridge, has brought 295 fully serviced and titled stands onto the market, with 20 homeowners receiving title deeds.
“Crown Ridge brings onto the market 295 fully serviced and titled stands. More importantly, today we are not just celebrating physical land development; we are celebrating dignity, security and wealth creation through the handover of 20 title deeds to homeowners who are ready,” Moyo said.
“A title deed is more than just a piece of paper — it unlocks economic empowerment, bankability and generational security for our people.”
Moyo said the wider Kings City development was significant for the province because of its potential to support the emergence of new local authorities and stimulate economic activity around expanding settlements.
“As a province, we welcome and champion private-sector initiatives that complement Government efforts. Kings City, as a massive 15 000-stand mixed-use development, is central to the creation of new local authorities, with the establishment of the Umguza Town Board serving as a pioneering first step,” he said.
The project is also creating opportunities across the construction and housing value chain, with the annual property fair bringing together financial institutions, builders, building-material suppliers and homeowners.
“This project directly answers the call of the National Housing Policy, aligns with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), and fits seamlessly into our national aspiration of attaining an upper-middle-income society,” Moyo said.
For Matabeleland North, the development represents a shift towards planned, forward-looking settlements capable of supporting population growth while creating new centres of economic activity.
“As Matabeleland North, we take pride in well-coordinated, forward-looking settlements that ease housing backlogs and transform the landscape of our districts,” he said.
The provincial Government’s support for such projects signals an increasing focus on leveraging private capital to complement public investment in housing, infrastructure and urban development across Matabeleland North.
