What next for Mt Hampden?

Sydney Kawadza Senior Features Writer
Scarred and disembowelled is the Mt Hampden area. The area supplies bricks that have built some of the most affluent suburbs in Harare but does not appear heroic or hopeful.
Located in the west of Harare and falling under Zvimba Rural District Council, the area has a rich history and is being targeted for the future expansion of Harare.

Mt Hampden is home to established brick moulding companies such as Beta Bricks and Willdale but of late illegal brick moulders have taken over parts of the area and are threatening to completely destroy the land. The people here, although they are in the business of making bricks, struggle to build their lives amid poverty in spite of the hard work they put up everyday.

Simbarashe Mukovo, one of the independent brick makers, however, believes they can transform their lives.

“This place was once used by Willdale but the company moved across the road, indicating that the soil was no longer good for its activities. Some of the workers believed that they could still mould their own bricks and get some extra cash. They started small ventures and that is how brick making continued in this area.

“Most of the people are former employees of Willdale and we mould the same bricks but the difference is on how they are burnt or treated before they are sold.”

Mukovo said bricks moulded in Mt Hampden have built such suburbs as Mufakose, Hatcliffe, Highfield, Glen View and Glen Norah, among others.

“We are now supplying other areas outside Harare including Marondera, Kadoma, Chinhoyi, Chitungwiza and even Mutare which means that we are contributing very much to the development of our nation,” he said.

Elvis Madamombe moved to the area after paying US$1 200 for his stand to the rural district council. He hopes to start a business in the area.

“I have been here for at least 10 days because this place is good for business but I am not sure if I will make it. Business is all about taking chances and I hope I will make it.”

Mt Hampden is an area in Harare but many people believe it has a rural or farm setting. A policeman who runs a makeshift bottle store says business is good especially during public holidays and month ends.

“I am stocking for the holidays and when you come back everything will be here. I am going to hire girls to entertain my customers. Business is usually good during holidays,” he said.

The police officer has a kombi which he allegedly uses to transport prostitutes from Epworth, Dzivaresekwa, Mufakose and Hopley Farm.

The area is prone to prostitution because of the haphazard settlement but there are no known prostitutes from the area except visiting ladies of the night. The first impression is that people in Mt Hampden are neglected.

However, Beta Bricks human resources manager Ms Angela Gambara said their workers are well catered for and they have provided the necessary amenities for them.

“We have built state of the art accommodation for our 500 employees and the other houses are for the individuals in the area,” she said.

However, in the bustle and hustle of life in Mt Hampden there is always a warning against robbers. A girl who shows us directions into the area warns us against talking to everyone.

“Do not stop when you are waved down by people because munogona kubvutirwa mari,” she warns us.

There is an environmental problem in Mt Hampden but that is overshadowed by the need for people to earn a living and this is in various ways.

Environmental Management Authority spokesperson Mr Steady Kangata acknowledged the dangers associated with the brick moulding activities at Mt Hampden.

“We have seen what is happening at that site especially the area abandoned by Willdale and it is up to that company to reclaim that area for building purposes. There are registered brick fields in that area and we would like to encourage people involved in the practices to register and get licences for their activities. We are prepared to give them licences but they have to come up with environmental management plans for rehabilitating the area they work on,” he said.

Mr Kangata states that brick moulding activities open pits and galleys that can sometimes turn to death traps especially when it rains. He, however, encouraged the Zvimba Rural District Council to move in and restore order in that area.

Zvimba Rural District Council chairman Mr Francis Chikambi said council was waiting for definitive plans on the new city to be established at Mt Hampden for a way forward.

“We have read in the press of the establishment of the new city in Mt Hampden but we are yet to get formal information on a way forward,” he said.

Zvimba East House of Assembly representative Cde Francis Mukwangwariva said while he welcomes plans for the new city, there is need for central Government to give the residents proper residential stands.

“People in Mt Hampden area need to formalise their settlements so that they are not displaced by the new developments. The same people would provide a lot of services when the developments begin,” he said.

Ironically, Mt Hampden represents the future. Government has announced that Mt Hampden is going to be Zimbabwe’s new city. Local Government, Public Housing and National Housing Minister Ignatius Chombo announced that the new Parliament Building will be built on a 240-hectare plot Sandton Park, which is in Mt Hampden.

Minister Chombo said Mt Hampden would be the beginning of another satellite town for Harare. He added that villas, flats, a hotel, a restaurant and a nine-hole golf course would surround it. The new Parliament complex will be conceived in an integrated way with restaurants and modern-day structures placed in close proximity.

Minister Chombo added that the complex would have houses for the Speaker of the House of Assembly and the deputy and for the Senate president and the Senate vice-president.

“There will be recreational areas, banking malls, shops for artworks and Internet facilities for the legislators and boulevards will develop towards it,” he said.

The new site is the original site where colonisers wanted to hoist the Union Jack and establish Harare.

“They got lost after returning to South Africa where they wanted to consult their masters, prompting them to hoist the Union Jack on Harare Kopje,” said Minister Chombo.

This is the rich history associated with Mt Hampden but behind all the glory there is fear among people who live in the area of an uncertain future where they do not know what they will benefit from the new city, what will happen to their lives and where they will go after the new development.