Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko and Yeukai Karengezeka
EMINENT Zimbabwean architect Mike Clinton, whose works include Harare’s tallest building, the iconic 27-storey Reserve Bank Tower, among others, has died, a company said.
“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Clinton, the brilliant architect behind the iconic Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe building,” read a statement shared by Saint Gobain Zimbabwe, a leading construction materials company in its Facebook post.
“His innovative designs and contributions to Zimbabwe’s architectural landscape will be greatly missed. Our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at Clinton & Evans.
“May his legacy continue to inspire future generations of architects and builders.”
The prominent architect made significant contributions to the transformation of Harare’s architectural landscape and died aged 94.
Clinton, along with his firm Clinton & Evans, is credited with shaping the capital city’s skyline with buildings such as the Reserve Bank Tower, Millennium Towers and Karigamombe Centre, as well as numerous building projects around the country and the region.
His major five-star architectural work is the 27-storey Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, which was completed in 1996.
This incorporates high-security vaults, a banking hall, a staff canteen and a conference centre.
“His elegant glass designs gave Harare its modern, glossy identity, especially along Samora Machel Avenue. Beyond Zimbabwe, his work graced top hotels across southern Africa. With nearly 40 years of continuous excellence, Mike Clinton was not just a builder of buildings—but of dreams, spaces and enduring beauty.
“Harare will forever stand in tribute to his genius,” said a writer in a tribute online.
His architectural portfolio is vast, both in Zimbabwe and regionally.
Clinton designed plans for prominent hotels such as the Elephant Hills Intercontinental, Zambia’s Ancient River Lodge, Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre, Malawi, Kuchawe Hotel in Zomba, Zambia and remodelled the Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls Hotel and Meikles Hotel among a host of other properties.
For several decades of architectural work, Clinton and his partner Evans were involved in a number of massive projects.
These included drawing plans for upmarket shopping complexes, high-rise maximum security buildings like the RBZ, the Reserve Bank of Malawi and that of Seychelles, luxurious hotels, office parks and airports.
“I was happy when I got the go-ahead to draw the plan for the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe along Samora Machel Avenue. This was during the days of former RBZ Governor Kombo Moyana. It took about six years to sketch, design and build the massive building.
“I had a big team and we got the job done,” Clinton once remarked in an interview long ago.
He completed several projects that transformed Harare’s commercial streets, including Karigamombe Centre, Century Towers, Megawatt, Pegasus, ICL and Corner House.
“I had no particular idea of what I wanted the street to look like back then.
“Whatever I did is a reflection of what I had in mind when I was asked to do the plans for the various buildings. But I am pleased with the outcome. Samora Machel is almost mine,” he once joked.
Clinton also made his name internationally and his designs won various architectural prizes.
His notable works also include the UZ Great Hall (1988), 19-storey Century Towers, Unity Court (1994), Pegasus House (1992), CABS Head Office (1987), Feruka Oil Refinery, Belvedere Teachers’ College (1984), St Tropez Flats (Eastlea 1975) and Chitungwiza Shopping Centre among many.
Clinton was born on June 26, 1931 and attended David Livingstone Primary School between 1940 and 1943 before moving to Blackiston Primary School the following year.
He married Rosemary and the couple had two children, Carol and Russell and grandchildren.
