Highfield, Harare - Brief History

Brief History

Highfield is the second oldest suburb (township) in Harare, established circa 1930. It was established for black settlement during the colonial era (1892–1980), the first being Mbare/National (Harari)which gave its name to the Zimbabwe capital Harare. Harare was a corruption of Haarari, meaning (One who never sleeps), a name given to the Zezuru Chief of this north eastern part of Zimbabwe, a Chief Harawa who had his base at the Harare Kopje, a walking distance from Mbare. Highfield was primarily set up by the white settler colonial government to provide labour to the Southerton and Workington industrial areas that border it; this was in a similar fashion to how Harari (Mbare) had been set up to provide labour to Workington and Graniteside.

Highfield has remained a poor suburb despite the regeneration in other areas after 1980. Most of its successful residents choose to move out of the area (in a similar pattern to other high density areas) rather than invest and set up in the area. It also remains a primary destination (like most high density areas in Zimbabwe) for rural to urban migrants, who find it easier to pay for accommodation here and commute to work. They are also attracted by the easier opportunities to start up home businesses/industries at Machipisa and Gazaland Home Industry areas. It thus remains heavily populated, with high unemployment and is socially deprived. Petty crime is high as well as more serious crimes like burglaries, assaults and GBH.