Marondera

It is the first major centre on the road from Harare to Nyanga. It is 74 kilometres (46 miles) from Harare

It is named after the headman who ruled the area in the last decade of the 19^th Century.

When the Pioneers arrived, his kraal lay atop a kopje (hill) called Nyameni, about 3 kilometres

(2 miles) west of the Ruzawi River. The settlers formed their outspan about 6 kilometres

(4 miles) south of the present town, and it soon became the nucleus of the first European

Settlement.

The first administration camp was organized on a piece of land given by Cecil Rhodes

to anyone willing to offer accommodation to travelers between Salisbury (Harare)

and Umtali (Mutare). The offer was taken up by 3 ex-BSAC (British South Africa Company)

Policemen, who ran the Ruzawi Inn for 3 years, then sold it to a stagecoach company

that ran services from Salisbury to Umtali.

Within years, the junction with the road to Fort Charter had become a vital supply depot

for both the fort and Umtali. During the 1896 Chimurenga, the fledgling town’s post office

and Inn were used as places of refuge from the fierce impis. When the settlers finally

abandoned the place, however, the inn was razed. The town was rebuilt on it’s present

site after the Chimurenga.

During the Boer War, the Rhodesian Field Force (an army of more than 5000 men), was

garrisoned at Marondera. The troops never saw service, and the only reminder of their

presence is the small cemetery known as “Paradise”. It contains the graves of 2

Australians and 7 Englishmen who died while based there.

Marondera is an important farming area, particularly for tobacco. It has one of the oldest

Turf Clubs in Zimbabwe. The first race meeting took place in 1923, but until 1936, all

competition was restricted to amateur riders.

The Hotel

The town is the centre of traditional farming, such as cattle ranching, and grain and tobacco

production.

The Post Office

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