Highfield, Harare - Amenitiess

Amenitiess

The major shopping centre is Machipisa shopping centre, this was named after a prominent black business man; a store bearing his name can still be found at Mbare Musika bus terminus. All the major business people at this centre financially supported the fight for independence. These include Machipisa, Mwaera, Makomva, George Tawengwa - owner of Mushandirapamwe Hotel and others. Mushandirapamwe Hotel was at independence the transitional residence of returning Zanu troops. Machipisa grew to be prominent shopping centre because movement of black people was restricted before 1980, and it was therefore necessary to have a self sufficient shopping local area. Machipisa shopping centre is a well established trading centre that boasts banks (Barclays, CABS, CBZ, POSB, Beverly and many new local banks), Night clubs (Saratoga, Jimalo (owned by Philip Chiyangwa's brother Jimmy), Mushandirapamwe Hotel (formerly a 3 star hotel that hosted Cameroon national team during their visit to Zimbabwe in 1990s), City council bar with the Gold and Silver rooms where admission demands formal dressing. Machipisa boasts most major grocery shops in Zimbabwe, these include OK, TM, Spar, Lucky 7 etc.

The most modern shopping centre established in Highfield is HighGlen shopping centre on the north western end of Highfield at border junction with Glen Norah and Glen View suburbs. However, despite its glamour and glitz, HighGlen has failed to attract many shoppers because of it being far from most residential areas. It however attracts the more affluent shoppers from the Marimba Park area of the nearby Mufakose suburb who can afford to drive to the centre.

Highfield is host to Gwanzura stadium which hosts premiership soccer matches. Gwanzura has been a home ground to CAPS united, Blue Line Aces, Black Aces etc. Andy Flower and Tatenda Taibu were members of Highfield Takashinga Cricket Club. Stewart Matsikinyere and Hamilton Masakadza still play for this team.

Highfield Library is one of the best equipped libraries in the country with well-developed children's sections, primary and secondary sections and college sections. This was built by the Chinese and openned by President Robert Mugabe in 1993 to replace the old library at Zimbabwe hall.

The Zimbabwe Hall remains a centre for public and private functions, with the Miss Highfield, Miss Highfield Schools, and Miss Zim Hall held regularly. It is a major centre for Jamaican-inspired dancehall music and culture. Dancehall and ragga music clashes are held here often, with Silverstone, Stereone, Small axe, Sweet Ebony and African Exodus Batanai being regulars. Zimbabwe hall also hosts a gym, study centre, and a printing centre. The Highfield Tennis Club, Netball club and volleyball teams are based at this centre.

Leisure facilities also include a swimming bath open to the public, tennis and basketball courts at the Zimbabwe grounds and Zimbabwe hall amongst other things.