Lower Gwelo (Zimbabwe)

19.23334°S 29.25°E / -19.23334; 29.25

Lower Gwelo
Settlement type: Linear along roads, dispersed elsewhere
CountryZimbabwe
ProvinceMidlands
Government
 • ParliamentarianOmega Sibanda
Time zoneUTC+2 (SAST)

Lower Gwelo is a developed communal settlement in the Midlands province, Zimbabwe and is located about 40km north-west of Gweru, and stretches a further 50 km to the west. Lower gwelo was initially called Somabhula and later became Somabhula ekhanyayo after the establishment of Seventh day adventist missions stations that covered the entire area. Chiefdoms in Lower Gwelo include Sogwala, Sikombingo, Mdubiwa and Bunina. The settlement type is mostly linear along roads, although it is dispersed in some remote areas. There are several business centres which include Mission, Mankunzane, Makepesi, Sikombingo, Dufuya, Mangwande, Sogwala, Maboleni and Insukamini. This former district administration centre which is also one of the few state townships in the country. Maboleni and Insukamini are the two growth points within lower Gwelo.

Geography

Most of the areas are well watered and marshy. The major river is Vungu River locally referred to as u"Vunku" which is a tributary of the greater Shangani River. Gweru River locally referred to as u"Gelu" also passes through here to Shangani River.

Demography

The principal language is isiNdebele and is understood by virtually the whole populace. Lower Gwelo residents are nearly all followers of SDA church and most schools are still run buy the church to date.

Economy

Market gardening is the main economic activity in Lower Gwelo since the soils are fertile and well watered all year round. People of Lower Gwelo they are on second position in gardens in the midlands province following Gokwe in planting Vegetables, Fruits and maize.

Irrigation schemes

It is positioned agro ecological region IV of Zimbabwe. Natural regions IV and V are too dry for successful crop production without irrigation. Lower Gweru has been blessed with the following irrigation schemes:

  • Insukamini Dam[1]
  • Mkoba Irrigation Scheme[2]
  • Mambanjeni Irrigation Scheme[3]
  • Shagari Irrigation Scheme (not functional)[4]

Notable places
  • Maboleni
  • Insukamini
  • Lower Gwelo Mission
  • Insukamini ruins
  • Sikombingo where the second SDA mission was established after Solusi Mission.

Sogwala

Sogwala, known as koMumbu omanzi, is a village located in the northwest of Gweru, Zimbabwe. It is known by its nickname koMumbu omanzi which means fresh corn.

Demography

The official language is isiNdebele and is understood by the whole populace.

Geography

As the nickname suggests this is how the soil is, in the area, it is wet right around the year. The major river is Vungu River which is a tributary of the greater Shangani River. Gweru River also passes through here to Shangani River.

  • Lower Gwelo Mission
  • Sikombingo
  • Mangwande
  • Mzila
  • NtabaMhlophe
  • Dwaleni
  • Dufuya
  • Mhlahlandlela
  • Turnoff Mabilisa
  • Phakama
  • Lahleka
  • Makhulambila
  • Madikane
  • Mankunzane
  • Shagari
  • St Faith
  • Makepesi
  • Matshabeleni
  • Dimbamiwa
  • Sibomvu
  • Vungu

References
  1. Mark Matsa Diversity Measurement at Dufuya Gardens and Insukamini Irrigation Scheme in Lower Gweru Communal Lands. MSU|Staff|Retrieved 18 February 2016
  2. ZBC|31 July 2014 irrigation scheme thrives|Mkoba Irrigation Scheme in lower Gweru, which was on the verge of collapse, is now with the farmers looking forward to increased incomes. Forty-five beneficiaries are celebrating their thriving irrigation scheme with most of them now venturing into horticulture crops which include peas, tomatoes, potatoes, and onions. This follows a good rainy season that filled Mkoba Dam, which supplies water to the Insukamini Irrigation scheme. ZBC|News-Agriculture|Retrieved 18 2016
  3. The Herald|1 November 2004 Health Hazard Looms in Lower Gweru - allAfrica.com|Harare — A HEALTH hazard is looming in Lower Gweru communal area as Gweru City Council is discharging raw and partially treated sewage in Gweru River, the main source of water for people, livestock and irrigated crops in that community. Farmers at Mambanjeni Irrigation Scheme, whose operations thrive from Gweru River, discovered the discharge of raw sewage into the river seven years ago. This was after algae started spreading in a weir from which farmers draw their irrigation water and subsequently clogged water pumps, irrigation pipes and sprinklers. AllAfrica|Stories|Retrieved 18 February 2016
  4. Midlands Bureau|5 June 2014[|Vungu irrigation collapses|Shagari Irrigation scheme is completely dead. The dam wall collapsed some years ago following floods that hit the area and reconstructing the dam will need $500,000.]The Chronicle]Local News|Retrieved 18 February 2016

See also
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