Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Minister Zhemu Soda 
Sikhanyisiwe Ncube
A real estate firm, Henock Ranching, has unveiled plans for a new urban development project dubbed “City on the Edge of the City” that is set to be constructed on a 58-hectare gated lifestyle estate on the outskirts of Bulawayo.
The development seeks to accommodate up to 8 000 residents and marks a significant private-sector contribution towards meeting the national housing delivery target.
Ms Lynne Knight, the head of marketing and public relations at Henock Ranching, said the estate will feature a full clubhouse, restaurant, hotel, extensive sporting facilities, and a large central plaza with architecture inspired by local culture.
The plaza will be complemented by water features and expansive green spaces, providing a modern yet culturally rooted living experience. Ms Knight disclosed the details during a recent tour of Henock’s Hopelyn project by National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Zhemu Soda.
Said Minister Soda: “We have seen an alignment of this work with the aspirations of Government as we push towards becoming an upper middle-income society by 2030.” He emphasised the critical role of private sector involvement in housing delivery and achieving the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) target of one million housing units by 2025. “Their commitment to housing 8 000 people is a significant step towards addressing the existing housing backlog,” he said.
Minister Soda also noted that Henock had shown compliance with the dictates of the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy through infrastructure readiness, as indicated by the provision of road, water, and sewer services before occupancy.
“As Government, we pledge our support and stand ready to assist where needed. We will continue to address bottlenecks that hinder housing delivery to ensure that housing delivery is pursued in a conducive environment,” he said.
Ms Knight also outlined additional features of the development, including an agri-tech and innovation centre, community hall, auditorium, modern sporting facilities, cycling and running tracks, and dedicated zones for light and service industries. The project is expected to generate employment for over 10 000 people and provide schooling for more than 5 000 children. Importantly, the estate will adopt a self-sufficient energy model through the installation of a 20-megawatt solar power plant. Housing designs will incorporate modern, energy-neutral technologies, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability.
In response to the incorporation of new technologies, Minister Soda stressed the importance of maintaining construction standards that ensure durability and livability.
Henock Ranching has already completed other developments, such as the Hopeville and Hopelyn Estates. Commissioned in 2018 by President Mnangagwa, Hopeville is located 10 km from Bulawayo’s central business district along Airport Road.
The estate spans 134 hectares and includes over 1,000 residential stands ranging from 600 to 1 000 square metres. To date, 140 homes have been completed, with over 100 more under construction.
Hopelyn estate lies 11 km from the CBD on the southern edge of Bulawayo and sits on 91 hectares, comprising over 600 stands ranging from 600 to 4 000 square metres. These developments are envisaged to form a critical part of the future faces of Bulawayo and Matabeleland North provinces.
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