Online Reporter
Ngoni Dapira
Correspondent
REAL Estate magnate, Dr Joseph Sanhanga, last week Friday scored another first as he sets his eyes on building what will become the first gated community in Mutare at Valley of Kings.
The gate community will be a modern, mixed-use development with residential, commercial and recreational amenities.
This was revealed last Friday at the ground breaking ceremony of the first phase of the project where 90 units of modern medium and low density houses measuring 500 square metres and 800 square metres respectively will be built.
The housing project is estimated to cost US$20 million.
The partnership with Harare-based building consortium, ZIP Construction (Pvt) Ltd, is expected to start construction onsite immediately once the housing plan designs are approved by Mutasa Rural District Council.
Gated communities have now become a growing trend in Zimbabwe, particularly in cities like Harare, offering secure and amenity-rich housing options.
Popular examples are Borrowdale Brooke, Pokugara Estate and Arlington East, which provide residents with features like controlled access, 24/7 security, and shared facilities such as sports facilities and shopping areas.
These gated communities aim to address security concerns and offer a high-lifestyle environment, often blending residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
Valley of Kings situated 12 km north-west of Mutare along the Mutare-Harare Highway was gazetted as a township in 1956.
It went under liquidation in the 1970s, and was bought in 1993 by Ferro Consulting (Pvt) Ltd, a company which is owned by Dr Sanhanga as the chairman.
The township formerly called Irene Township has a total of 204 847 hectares comprising of residential, commercial and institutional stands.
The name was changed by Dr Sanhanga in 1999 to Valley of Kings or Guta reMadzimambo in Shona vernacular, because of its majestic views surrounded by mountains.
Dr Sanhanga scored his first in the real estate sector in 1992 when he became the first black entrepreneur (post-independence in 1980), to build a double storey building in the Central Business District in Mutare.
This achievement was acknowledged by the late former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe who officially opened the building.
Dr Sanhanga is also one of the first black entrepreneurs to buy a township in Zimbabwe post-independence, and the first in Manicaland.
Speaking on behalf of Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, assistant Mutasa District Development Coordinator (DDC), Ms Memory Kaseke, said this development embodies the spirit of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra: ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’.
“What you are doing here is, not only uplifting Manicaland, but showing the entire nation what can be achieved when integrity, innovation and patriotism work hand in hand. As we turn the soil, let us commit to building, not only homes, but a future that is refined, inclusive and proudly Zimbabwean.”
Adding, “As Government, we fully support responsible private developers who work with honesty and vision- those who bring progress follow proper channels and leave lasting values for our people. Together, we are proving that transformation begins when we take ownership of our destiny,” said Minister Mugadza.
Minister Mugadza also paid tribute to Dr Sanhanga as a true pioneer whose legacy continues to guide Manicaland Province on a progressive development trajectory since post-independence up-to-date.
“To Mrs Sanhanga (Sinikiwe) the unwavering strength behind this family and its enterprises we honour you as the compass and cornerstone of this great household,” said the resident Minister.
Guest speaker and Harare-based entrepreneur, Mr Edmore Dube, who also hails from Manicaland, applauded Dr Sanhanga for continuing to be a pacesetter in Manicaland even at the age of 77.
He said as businesspeople from Manicaland, they are taking a leaf from him, citing the way he is always proactive about infrastructure development in the province to make it stand out.
“This project was lagging in Mutare as gated communities are now the modern day concept, especially in Harare. The location of Valley of Kings is ideal for this concept as it will add value to this area outside Mutare decongesting the City of Mutare,” said Mr Dube.
Dube also thanked President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic for opening up the country for business and supporting the concept of densification to help reduce the housing backlog.
“We thank our Government for opening up the country for business. In the real estate sector, Government is now calling for smart cities and densification to cater for the growing population. This is what we are witnessing here as Ferro Consulting starts its gated community concept. I understand it will have different sections. This Phase One will be low and medium density houses, then Phase Two will have high rise buildings and apartments, and another area which will have low density housing units,” said Dube.
Densification involves developing multi-family dwellings and redeveloping existing spaces to accommodate more people and economic activity in a smaller footprint, which can lead to more efficient infrastructure use.
As of 2024, Zimbabwe’s housing backlog stood at a staggering 1,25 million units. Urban centres like Harare and Bulawayo accounted for 70 percent of the shortfall. As a result, the housing delivery pillar within the National Development Strategy (NDS1) aims to deliver 220 000 housing units by 2025, and more than 470 000 homes by 2030 through the collective efforts of Government, the private sector, and individuals.
These projects include, not only the construction of housing units, but also the provision of essential on-site developments such as roads, water and sewer reticulation services.
ZIP Construction managing director, Engineer Password Zvavamwe, said he has vast experience in such projects.
“We have been working on the Arcturus commercial site in Harare, and have over the years renovated many commercial building sites in Harare into modern infrastructures. So far, we have completed site clearance, and ground excavation is in the process at Valley of Kings while we wait for Mutasa RDC to approve our plans. Once the plans are approved, we intend to start construction of the houses,” said Engineer Zvavamwe.
He said the gated community concept combines use of technology, communal living spaces and unique social amenities that differentiate the estate from the traditional suburban designs.
One of the directors of Ferro Consulting, Mr Joe Sanhanga (Junior) said Valley of Kings, which was coined by his visionary father, Dr Sanhanga, is a name rooted in heritage, strength and purpose, and they aim to deliver on this futuristic gated community project that will change the face of Mutare.
“We are not just turning the soil; we are turning a page in history. This is the dawn of 90 new homes, but more than that the birth to a new way of living, a re-imaging of what Zimbabwean excellence can look like when faith vision and dedication unite. This entire development represents an estimated US$20 million in housing property value at the end of its establishment. Let me be clear. This is only the beginning at Valley of Kings,” said Mr Sanhanga (Jnr).
The ground breaking ceremony was also presided over by the dean of the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland, Reverend Fortune Kuzinya.
Other notable dignitaries who graced the event were Chief Saurombe and his wife, Headman Murahwa and members of the business community as well as family and friends.
