Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Charles Tavengwa said Mbare holds a strategic position in Harare’s economic and cultural landscape and is a key target in the Government’s master plan for upgrading urban living standards across the province. 
Remember Deketeke-Herald Correspondent
The large-scale urban renewal programme has started on a high note in Harare, with Mbare becoming the first beneficiary under the initiative aimed at transforming the suburb into a thriving economic hub and tourist destination.
The project aligns with the National Revitalisation Plan (NRP), which aims to improve conditions for social, spatial, cultural, and economic development in degraded areas, creating favourable conditions for business investment.
The project, currently underway, includes the construction of a new Mbare market and a complete overhaul of the suburb’s road network.
Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Charles Tavengwa said Mbare holds a strategic position in Harare’s economic and cultural landscape and is a key target in the Government’s master plan for upgrading urban living standards across the province.
“We are leaving no stone unturned in transforming Mbare. This is not just about erecting buildings or fixing roads; it is about restoring dignity, order, and opportunity to a suburb that has historically been a pillar of trade and community life in Harare,” Minister Tavengwa said.
Among the measures being rolled out are enhanced security patrols, improved waste management systems, and infrastructural development focused on accessibility.
The minister said authorities are working closely with law enforcement agencies and local council departments to ensure that Mbare is safe for residents, tourists, and business operators.
“We have boosted lighting in key areas, deployed more police patrols, and introduced smart waste disposal initiatives. Cleanliness and safety are at the heart of this transformation,” he added.
Minister Tavengwa emphasised that Mbare is among the top urban zones listed in the province’s master plan for development, with a focus on improving housing, sanitation, public transport, and public spaces.
“Upgrading living standards in Mbare is not just a priority; it is a responsibility. We are working on long-term housing solutions and better social services to ensure that residents enjoy a decent quality of life,” said Tavengwa.
The facelift will not only enhance Mbare’s infrastructure but will also rebrand its image and revive its historic significance as a commercial powerhouse.
“The rehabilitation of roads and the erection of the new Mbare Market are part of a broader strategy to reposition Mbare as an economic giant,” said Eng. Tendai Mafoti, Project Manager for the Masimba-led development.
“We want to attract business from across the globe and promote tourism by improving the infrastructure, especially around the Mbare hub.”
In recent years, Mbare has faced deteriorating infrastructure and congestion, deterring both visitors and investment.
The Government believes that modernising the suburb’s core facilities will draw in tourists and traders who had previously avoided the area due to its poor road conditions and outdated market facilities.
The road rehabilitation works, which include widening, resurfacing, and improved signage on Remembrance Drive and Chaminuka Street, among other major roads, are expected to ease traffic flow and ensure safer, more accessible routes for locals and tourists alike.
Engineer Mafoti said this model will be replicated across other urban centres in Zimbabwe as part of a long-term national renewal strategy.
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