Mount Hampden
Mount Hampden is the parliamentary seat[1] of Zimbabwe.[2] It is in Mashonaland West Province about eighteen kilometers from the main capital, Harare. It was the original destination of the Pioneer Column of the British South Africa Company;[3] however, the Column eventually settled to the south, in present day Harare. Mount Hampden was named after English politician John Hampden by the hunter and explorer Frederick Courteney Selous.[3]
Mount Hampden City | |
|---|---|
City | |
| Mount Hampden City | |
| Country | Zimbabwe |
| Province | Mash West |
| Settled | 1890 |
| Construction Started | 2012 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Ceremonial Mayor |
| • Body | not estab. |
| • Mayor | not elected yet. |
| Area | |
• Total | 38.61 sq mi (100 km2) |
| • Land | 38.22 sq mi (99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.39 sq mi (1 km2) |
| Elevation | 547.8 ft (1,466.97 m) |
| Population (2023) | |
• Total | 30,000 est. |
• Estimate (Sept. 2023) | 30,000 est. |
| • Rank | unranked |
| • Density | 771/sq mi (300/km2) |
| • Urban | 30,000 est. |
| • Urban density | 771/sq mi (300/km2) |
| Demonym | none |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 (CAT) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+01:00 (CAT) |
| ZIP Codes | 00000 |
| GDP (City, 2023) | $2 million est. |
| GMP (2023) | refer to Harare Metro |
| Largest suburbs by area | Mount Hampden Suburb (3 sq mi or 7.8 km2) |
| Largest suburb by population | Mount Hampden Suburb (2023 est. 22,000) |
Recent Developments
In 2012, the government of Zimbabwe under then President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe announced plans to build a new parliament in Mount Hampden, replacing the previous parliament in central Harare. The new complex already houses the New Zimbabwe Parliament Building, and will eventually include a Presidential palace, the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe and the High Court of Zimbabwe, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, residential suburbs, hotels and modern shopping malls.[4]
After completion of New Zimbabwe Parliament Building in 2022,[5][6] with the move of parliament in 2023, Mount Hampden became the parliamentary capital of Zimbabwe.[7]
In Mount Hampden, Dubai based Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk is building a development called "Zim Cyber City"[8][9] with centerpiece Mulk Tower, potentially to be the tallest building in Africa.[10][11] It is on the site of the former Turner Farm and its construction is expected to displace thousands of current residents.[12][13]
References
- ^ "Parliament of Zimbabwe Relocates to New Parliament Building | ZBC NEWS". www.zbcnews.co.zw. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Major boost for Zim's new administrative city – The Herald". www.herald.co.zw. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ a b Gwaze, Veronica (26 January 2020). "History of Mt Hampden". The Sunday Mail.
- ^ "Zimbabwe farmers displaced by new city compensated". Bulawayo 24 News. 6 April 2025. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025.
- ^ Nyathi, Kitsepile (1 July 2022). "China gifts Zimbabwe a modern Parliament". The EastAfrican. Nairobi, Kenya. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023.
- ^ Nyathi, Kitsepile (27 October 2023). "China hands over new parliament to Zimbabwe as 'gift'". The EastAfrican. Nairobi, Kenya. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Zimbabwe parliament shifts to new building in Mt Hampden". The Zimbabwe Mail. Harare, Zimbabwe. 28 September 2023. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Rebates a game changer: Zim Cyber City". Daily News. Harare, Zimbabwe. 25 March 2025.
- ^ "Construction at Zimbabwe Cyber City in Mount Hampden Resumes". The Zimbabwe Mail. Harare, Zimbabwe. 12 December 2024. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024.
- ^ Maromo, Jonisayi (21 July 2022). "Shifting perceptions: Dubai billionaire to build Africa's tallest building in Zimbabwe". Independent Online SA (Pty) Ltd. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022.
- ^ Cabral, Alvin R. (21 July 2022). "UAE's Mulk International starts construction of $500m tech park in Zimbabwe". The National. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022.
- ^ "Residents Face Uncertainty Amid Mt Hampden Cyber City Development". The Zimbabwe Mail. 21 February 2025. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025.
- ^ Thandiwe, Garusa (11 November 2024). "Zimbabwe's Planned Cyber City Brings Pain to Citizens Facing Displacements, Job Losses". New Zimbabwe. London, England. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024.
17°44′S 30°56′E / 17.733°S 30.933°E