Epworth Profiling Report PDF

Epworth Profiling Report May 2009
Our stories as told from within...
Dialogue on Shelter for the Homeless

in Zimbabwe Trust
Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation Ministry of National Housing
and Social Amenities
CONTENTS
Report Outline 1
History of Epworth Settlement 2
Umfelandawonye in Epworth 3
Background of the Profiling Exercise 4
Purpose of the Epworth Profiling Exercise 6
Epworth Profiling Team: The poor as the experts! 7
Epworth Profiling: How we did it 9
Profiling: the key issues 11
THE FINDINGS: OUR STORIES AS TOLD BY US - CHIREMBA 13
CHINAMANO EXTENSION/MASEKO 17
ZINYENGERE EXTENSION 21
CHIZUNGU 24
JACHA 26
OVERSPILL 29
Ma-GADA OVERSPILL 33
MAKOMO 37
DOMBORAMWARI 40
CONCLUSIONS 43
PERSONAL PROFILES 45
LIST OF PROFILING PARTICIPANTS 49
NOTES 51
Report Outline
History of Epworth Settlement

uMfelandawonye in Epworth
Background of the Profiling Exercise
Purpose of Epworth Profiling Exercise
Profiling Team: the poor as the experts!
Epworth Profile: How we did it
Profiling: the key issues
The Findings: Our stories as told by us!
Conclusions
Personal profiles
1
History of Epworth Settlement

Epworth settlement lies 15km just outside Harare towards the east. The settlement was established in the late 1890s through the Methodist Church led by John White.
The Church acquired three farms in the area namely Epworth, Glenwood and Adelaide. Throughout the colonial years the settlement grew as a Church Mission
consisting of two main villages, that is, Chiremba (Muguta and Makomo) and Chizungu (Chinamano and Zinyengere). However, the late 1970s saw a surge in the
population as people fled the liberation war which had heightened in the countryside. Again, after the independence in 1980, more people entered the cities in search
of economic opportunities and Epworth with its informal set-up provided an easy destination for the new arrivals.
Faced with this unprecedented growth, the Church donated part of Epworth Mission land to government for the subsequent establishment of a local government
structure. In 1986, this led to the creation of Epworth Local Board whose main task was to administer and regulate the growth of the settlement. The inception of the
Local Board therefore saw the unveiling of regularization and formalization initiatives. Other initiatives include the establishment of extensions to decongest
overcrowded areas.
Meanwhile, the formalization process also resulted in Epworth becoming more attractive hence the continued influxes of more people. The net effect was the
emergence of even more informality as people occupied the remaining open spaces. These uncontrolled developments resulted in areas that are now popularly known
as Ma-Gada. It is this background that has seen Epworth arrive at a situation whereby 70% of its 30 000 families are staying in informal settlements with the remainder in
formal areas.
2
Umfelandawonye in Epworth
In June 1998, uMfelandawonye was introduced in Epworth.
Initially, four groups were formed namely Zvido, Zvichanaka
Chete, Simudzai and Makomo. At that time, the membership was
slightly above 100. Realising the need to grow and mobilise the
huge numbers of potential members in Epworth, the Federation
organised an enumeration in 2001. This was the first community-
driven enumeration exercise in Epworth. Besides helping in
mobilizing more members around the uMfelandawonye, the
survey highlighted the challenges that the people were struggling
with. Overcrowdedness, lack of basic services and lack of secure
tenure emerged as the most topical issues. More significantly, the
survey, through its process, demonstrated that the community
had a role to play in whatever future development that would take
place.
The so-called ‘urbanisation of politics’ starting from the year 2000

was accompanied by serious wave of political tensions in urban
areas. This affected most of the Federation areas and Epworth was
not spared. Therefore Epworth groups collapsed only to be
revived in 2006. At that time, three groups were functional, that is
Simudzai, Zvichanaka Chete and a new one Vimbainesu with a
3
Background of the Profiling Exercise

Beginning 2006, the Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation started a process of re-looking at its surveys. The survey conducted in Hatcliffe Extension in 2006 marked
the first step towards this new shift. Emphasis moved from the membership-focus to a much wider community-focus. Again, interest was generated around bringing
other institutions on board like government and other civil society organizations.
From 2007 onwards, learning linkages around surveys were intensified and this saw a string of exchanges other?? with SDI countries with experience like Namibia and
Kenya. In one of the visits to Kisumu Kenya, officials from both Epworth Local Board and Central Government were part of the exchange team. The exposure visit
showcased how the Kenyans had broadened and enriched their surveys combining socio-economic issues with the mapping aspects.
In 2008, the alliance of Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation and Dialogue on Shelter sent team after team to Namibia to learn and assist on the Community Land
Information Programme (CLIP). The latter, entailed a nationwide profiling exercise of informal settlements in Namibia. The CLIP process later culminated in the
launching of a book containing profiles on the country’s informal settlements.
CLIP process constitutes the first step towards obtaining basic information on how informal settlements have evolved and their main socio-economic and physical
features. To this end, the profiling exercise leads to the next stage of a full-scale survey. More significantly, the exercise provides the community with an initial
opportunity to start narrating their everyday challenges and how they think they could be solved. It is in view of this backdrop that the process was initiated in Epworth
in May 2009 given the challenges that the settlements faces.
4
Zimbabweans during a profiling

exchange visit to Rundu in Namibia, 2008.
5
Purpose of the Epworth Profiling Exercise

The Epworth chapter of the Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation is planning to carry out a full-scale enumeration in the settlement. The survey will be conducted
jointly with other stakeholders namely Central Government, UN-Habitat and Epworth Local Board. The main objective of the survey is to comprehensively document
demographic, socio-economic and spatial information about the settlement. After gathering this information, the alliance intends to come up with a development plan
that is defined and owned by the community as a whole.
Therefore, the profiling exercise in Epworth was envisaged as an initial step towards the actual enumeration. The discussions held with the various community members
helped to sensitize the Epworth community about the need for a survey. In the process, the profiling also helped to prepare the community for the bigger exercise of an
enumeration. A number of housing savings schemes were started throughout this process and hence it was also used as a mobilization tool. The local Federation chapter
needs to be bigger and stronger for it to be able to rally everyone around the enumeration. So the additional groups that were formed will enhance the Federation’s
capacity to drive and manage enumeration exercise. It is with this enumeration vision in mind that the profiling exercise was initiated.
6
Epworth Profiling Team: The poor as the experts!

Unlike the previous surveys that the alliance has undertaken, the
profiling exercise was rich with regard to the participants
involved. Besides getting the usual SDI support, this exercise
included key institutions beyond the alliance. For example, the
process involved Central Government and better still in a very
active fashion. Five officers were seconded from the Ministry of
National Housing and Social Amenities and participated
throughout the entire programme. In the same way, Epworth
Local Board was also a key player and provided all the strategic
advice on how to deal with the Epworth context and its realities.
Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) and its supporting
partner Namibia Housing Action Group’s (NHAG) experience in
this whole process proved to be very critical. The Namibian team
had four members including one resource person from NHAG.
Another SDI team was from Zambia and they had sent five
people with three Federation members as part of the team. The
Zambians wanted to learn as they had plans to do a similar
process back in Lusaka.
SDI members during profiling exercise in Epworth
7
About 15 Federation members from the other Zimbabwean

chapters across the country also came in to give support around this
exercise. The areas that participated included Harare, Bulawayo,
Gweru, Mutare, Victoria Falls and Shurugwi. Dialogue on Shelter’s
staff also played a very key role providing technical advice to the
profiling team. Last but not least, Epworth Federation had a team of
about 50 people that worked day-in day-out arranging the
meetings and leading throughout the group discussions.
Participants from other Zimbabwean Federation regions.
8
Epworth Profiling: How we did it

The first stages of the profiling involved meetings with the Epworth Local Board to get relevant material that could assist in the exercise. The meetings with the Board
also helped with developing the strategy for navigating around the local level politics. Meanwhile, engagement with the wider Epworth community had already been
started by the Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation. All the relevant community level structures were informed about the process.
Some five days before the actual profiling, at a meeting with the local Federation, the settlement was then dissected into manageable sections based on the area-
names. The following eight areas were therefore identified;
1. Chiremba also known as Muguta

2. Makomo
3. Domboramwari
4. Jacha also known as Muguta Extension or Matanga
5. Chinamano Extension also known as Maseko
6. Overspill
7. Ma-Gada
8. Chizungu includes Zinyengere and Chinamano
There are eight wards in Epworth but their boundaries do not coincide with the above names. In fact, community members are less familiar with the ward
boundaries and yet they are more comfortable with the ones above. So this made it easier to use the area-name-based method. After this process, contact
points were then identified in each section and depending on size one or more points were selected. This exercise was followed by the identification of contact
persons who were then tasked with organizing people for the profiling meetings. These were either uMfelandawonye members or in some cases just members
from the community.
Before the process could start, the entire profiling team sat to discuss various issues relating to the exercise. For instance, the team rehearsed the profiling
questionnaire that had been designed with the help of Epworth Federation. The issue of approach, objectives and the vision of the exercise were all explained to the
team so that everyone was clear about the process. It was agreed, for example, that it would help to have more people who had been resident for a period longer than
20 years in Epworth at the profiling meetings. This would assist particularly in extracting the historical information about Epworth. Soon after everything was in place,
the profiling process kicked off with the meetings getting bigger and better as the exercise progressed.
9
Briefing… Profiling team members

discussing the exercise.
10
Profiling: the key issues

The profiling exercise revealed very interesting stories of how Epworth evolved firstly as a Methodist Church Mission and then later as a local government area.
Chiremba, which is Shona name for a traditional doctor, was the first to be established in the late 1890s. The place was named after the person who lived there first who
practiced traditional medicine. Later on, Makomo area came into being followed by places like Jacha and Chizungu. After the establishment of Epworth Local Board in
1986, more areas emerged in the form of Extensions, Overspills and Ma-Gada.
Around 70% of Epworth residents are living in informal conditions. That is, most of the residents settled on unserviced land without official allocation. Places like Jacha,
Chizungu and Ma-Gada fall into this category. However, even though these areas are informal they have grown to be ‘recognized’ by the Local Board through ‘house
numbers’ and monthly levies that they pay to the Local Board. The few areas that have been formalized include Chiremba, Overspill and the Extensions. The
formalization and upgrading has taken various forms and levels. For instance, in Chiremba there are water and sewer pipes although these are not active yet. In fact,
the whole of Epworth does not have an active reticulated sewer network due to challenges related to off-site sewer works. In the few areas with water lines, water is
also a challenge as a result of low pumping capacity in the area. It is in view of this informality that the need for secure tenure and adequate basic services came out very
prominently in profiling discussions. A majority of Epworth residents have lived on their plots for over 20 years and do not intend to move elsewhere. Therefore
residents would prefer in-situ upgrading of the informal areas as a first choice as compared to relocations.
Epworth has social services such as clinics and schools although these have been out-numbered by the ever growing population. Some of these services were
established long back by the Methodist Church for the Mission residents in the settlement. Additional services were installed with the establishment of the Local Board
but the demand is still higher . In particular, people walk long distances for health services. In general, people expressed a lot of interest and enthusiasm in taking part in
development programmes that seek to improve the living conditions in Epworth.
11
Participants at profiling meeting
12
THE FINDINGS: OUR STORIES AS TOLD BY US
CHIREMBA
LOCATION
The area of Chiremba also known as Muguta is located just at the entry point into Epworth to the left side of Chiremba road. This is where the Methodist Church Mission’s
administration offices were headquartered. Chiremba is also to the north of the famous Chiremba rocks.
BRIEF HISTORY
Chiremba was named after Chihota who used to stay in the area with his five wives. Chihota used to practice traditional medicine in the area hence the name Chiremba.
When the Methodist Church acquired the land from the colonial settlers in the 1890s they converted Chiremba into a Christian. After the arrival of the Methodist
Church, Chiremba grew as a Mission with occupancy strictly based on church affiliation. That is, once one was allocated a plot you had to join the Methodist Church. It
was only after the establishment of the Epworth Local Board that the area lost its Mission status and became open to everyone.
STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

The settlement is legal and is officially recognized by the Local Board. In fact, the residents reported that they pay monthly rates to the Board.
LAND TENURE ISSUES

Chiremba residents consider themselves as the ‘Originals’ meaning they are the first to settle in Epworth. As such they look at themselves as deriving security of tenure
from that ‘original’ status. However, besides this entitlement derived from history, the residents have also signed lease agreements with the Local Board.
13
HOUSING
A majority of the houses in Chiremba were built before the
establishment of the Local Board. As such, these housing units
did not have approved house plans. These houses are either built
with burnt bricks or cement bricks. Some houses were built using
green bricks. The original thatched houses were demolished
during Operation Murambatsvina in 2005. A few thatched
kitchens still remain. New approved housing units are also
coming up. On average there are three housing units on each
plot.
A complete approved house in Makomo, Epworth.
14
BASIC SERVICES
›› The settlement has a water network that was installed in 1992
although this is not active. Each plot, therefore, has its own
water connection. People use deep wells as the major source of
water for drinking.
›› Sewer infrastructure is in place on the individual plots although
this has not been activated due to lack of off-site installations.
The residents, however, indicated that the Local Board has
plans to build sewer ponds. Currently, people use Blair toilets
which were built a long time ago through the support of the
Local Board.
›› The settlement has a road network and a majority of the roads
are tarred.
›› There is no electricity in Chiremba and people use firewood,
saw-dust and paraffin as energy sources.
SOCIAL SERVICES
›› There is a clinic built by the Methodist Mission which is run by
the Church.
›› There are two schools; Chiremba Primary built in the late 1890s
and Muguta Secondary established in 2003. Mai Susan Kajau, Chiremba Epworth
15
›› There are no community centres in the area.
DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES
›› There are no development processes going on in Chiremba. Residents noted that activation of both sewer and water lines depends on the construction of Kunzvi
Dam.
›› Residents have engaged ZESA on electricity and they were informed that there is need for a transformer.
CONTACT PERSONS
Ms Muzambwa - 0912608023, Silas Mhlanga - 0912887837, Norman Mhlanga - 011543887
16
CHINAMANO EXTENSION/MASEKO
LOCATION
Chinamano Extension also known as Maseko is located in Ward 5
between Jacha river and ‘Overspill’ road near the Epworth Quarry
dam.
BRIEF HISTORY
“This place where we are staying today which we call Chinamano
Extension used to be farmlands and grazing areas of the ‘originals’.
These are people who were staying in Chiremba and Makomo.
Their children sold us pieces of land just before independence in
1980. On average they sold one acre to each interested stand-
buyer. Some time later, these originals turned against us and
decided to repossess their land. We fought back through the
courts and they could not evict us. When the Local Board was set
up we then recognized as formal residents,” - Margaret
Muzangaza
Mai Tauro, Chinamano Extension Epworth
17

Chinamano Extension is now formally recognized by the Local Board. This follows re-planning and upgrading that took place in the early 1980s through the Central
Government.
LAND TENURE ISSUES

The residents have lease agreements which they signed with the Local Board. They were also issued with ‘cards’ by the Local Board in 1994 and they use these to pay
their monthly rates of US$3,00.
HOUSING
There are predominantly brick houses in Chinamano Extension but a majority of these have been built without the Local Board’s approval. Most of these are also old and
dilapidated. Shacks built from a variety of readily available materials are also visible. On average there are three or more structures on each plot.
BASIC SERVICES
›› There is water infrastructure which was installed in 1992 but there is no water running in the pipes. As an alternative residents use deep wells. There is also a
borehole that was installed by Pump-Aid in the area.
›› No sewer infrastructure and people use either pit latrines or Blair toilets.
›› There is no electricity infrastructure and residents use firewood, saw-dusts and paraffin as energy sources.
›› There are no tarred roads in the area and people use gravel roads.
18
SOCIAL SERVICES
›› There are two schools; Chinamano Extension Primary and
Kubatana Primary.
›› There are no clinics in the area and people go to Domboramwari
for health services.
›› No community center in the area.
There are no major development processes taking place in the are
particularly around water and sanitation.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT

Residents indicated that there is very little participation in development
issues in the area. Local representation is through the councillor and the
development committee. However, residents noted that there are no
meetings held to facilitate wider participation.
CONTACT PERSONS
Margaret Muzangaza, Simangaliso Mdaya - 0912961362,
Lameck Kanyangira - 023298458
A pit latrine using the bucket system in Chinamano Extension

19
Mai Mdaya, Chinamano ExtensionEpworth

20
ZINYENGERE EXTENSION
LOCATION
Zinyengere Extension is located in Ward 4 to the east of Delport road.
BRIEF HISTORY
“This place was established around 1997 and it used to be grazing lands
for the originals (OGs). These include people like James Jongwe and
some of them who were originals staying in Chizungu. In many of the
cases it was their children who sold the plots to us. There were no papers
to accompany these transactions so sooner the parents changed
goalposts and demanded their land back. We successfully fought
through the courts and resisted the eviction orders. Since then we have
been around this place and its now our home.” - Mai Audha.
Otilia Kanyai, Epworth
21

Zinyengere Extension is an informal settlement established as Ma-Gada. According to the residents their status is not clear. The settlement is not planned although at a
glance you can observe some elementary planning that the people followed when they were allocating each plots. For instance, they left spaces for roads and there is
some pattern that is also followed by the houses. The individual plots have been allocated numbers by the Local Board and the residents pay monthly rates of US$2,00. A
majority of the residents indicated that they joined the Local Board’s waiting list.
LAND TENURE ISSUES

The land on which Zinyengere Extension is located belongs to the Local Board. The residents are therefore informal settlers. However, the residents have some
relationship with the Local Board as they are paying monthly rates. It is in this regard that they claim some entitlement to the land where they are staying.
HOUSING
The housing ranges from shacks of different variations to brick houses that were not approved by the Local Board. On average, there are two or more structures on each
plot. A majority of the residents have lodgers on their plots.
BASIC SERVICES
›› There is no water infrastructure in Zinyengere Extension and residents use deep wells. However, the residents indicated that in 2000 the Local Board once
installed a communal water tap but this was removed during the 2005 evictions by the Board.
›› No sewer amenities are in place to service Zinyengere Extension and residents have dug pit latrines which use the bucket-system.
›› There is no electricity in the settlement and people resort to firewood, saw-dust and paraffin for their energy needs.
›› The settlement is served by narrow dust roads which are hardly passable with cars. The only usable road is Delport and residents have to walk long
distances to their houses.
22
SOCIAL SERVICES
›› There is one school in Zinyengere Extension; Maulani Primary and the nearest secondary schools are in Chizungu and Domboramwari (+5km).
›› There is no clinic and resident walk close to 5km to Domboramwari.
›› There is no community centre in the settlement.
“There is no development taking place here to bring about change in our settlement except for organizations that working with people that are sick especially MSF.
Perhaps, this is because we are in Ma-Gada. However, we would want to see the formalization of our settlement so that we are living here for good. Even though we
have stayed here for over 10 years its never certain what will happen tomorrow.” - Baba Mare.

According to Zinyengere Extension residents the local development committees are invisible and there is no dialogue space for community participation in
development.
CONTACT PERSONS
Mai Audha0912934869, Mr. Mavhima 011456492
23
CHIZUNGU
LOCATION
Chizungu is located south of Zinyengere Extension and to its south
lies the cemetery.
BRIEF HISTORY
Chizungu was established in the 1940s and originally the site used to
have Epworth Dam and the graveyard for the ‘originals’. The plots
were sold by the descendants of the originals and on average each
plot measured one acre.

Chizungu is now a formal settlement after the replanning that took
place in the 1980s and the subsequent partial installation of
infrastructure in the 90s.
Emily Ndou, Makomo Epworth
24
LAND TENURE ISSUES

The residents have a formal relationship with the land through lease agreement signed with the Local Board. In addition, the residents also pay monthly rates of
US$3.00 at the Local Board.
HOUSING
A majority of the houses constitute brick houses which are either approved or those that have been built without the Local Board’s approval. On average there are two
or more housing structures on each plot.
BASIC SERVICES
›› An individualized water network was put in between 1995 and 1998 through funding from Plan International.
›› There are no sewer amenities and residents use pit latrines and Blair toilets. The installation of the latter was supported by the Local Board.
›› There is no electricity and the networking of the area is being hampered by the failure to secure a transformer.
›› The area is serviced by gravel roads and a main tarred road. Other roads are yet to be opened. Local transporters only drop people at Rueben Shopping Center
which is quite a distance from the individual houses.
SOCIAL SERVICES
›› There are two schools in Chizungu; Chizungu Primary and Domboramwari Secondary.
›› There is no clinic and people have to walk to Domboramwari for health services
›› There is no community centre in the settlement.
25
JACHA
LOCATION
Jacha is located in Ward One and is bordered to the west by Makomo and
Chiremba and Jacha river to its east.
BRIEF HISTORY
According to some of the first residents of Jacha, the settlement was
established in 1978. Prior to the setting up of the settlement, the place used
to be gardens of the original residents who were staying in Chiremba. It was
reported that some of the descendants of Chiremba demarcated and sold
plots to those who were looking for land. This resulted in people flocking the
area resulting in the present day Jacha settlement.

The settlement is recognized by the Local Board but it is an unplanned site
without services.
Esther Musiyarira, Jacha Epworth
26
LAND TENURE ISSUES

A majority of the residents acknowledged that the land on which they are staying is not theirs. However, many of the residents felt that the fact that they have ‘cards’,
‘stand numbers’ and pay monthly rates (US$2.00) gives them some kind of legitimacy. The residents were also conscious that politics has protected their tenure.
HOUSING
The main type of housing in Jacha are unplanned structures built with ‘green bricks’.
BASIC SERVICES
›› There is water infrastructure in the settlement and residents drink water from ‘zvisipiti’ (natural springs) and deep wells. It was reported the settlement used to
have a communal tap but this was removed by the Local Board during the evictions in 2005.
›› There are no water-borne sewer facilities and residents use pit latrines.
›› There is no electricity in the area and firewood, saw-dust and paraffin provide energy for domestic use.
›› Jacha has no planned roads and residents use foot paths to navigate around the place. Motor vehicles therefore can hardly find their way.
SOCIAL SERVICES
›› There are no schools in Jacha and the nearest school is Muguta Secondary in Chiremba.
›› There is no clinic in the area and residents have to walk to Chiremba for the nearest clinic.
›› No community centre.
27
There is no development underway in the settlement. Residents
were unaware whether there are any plans to regularize the area.
But the residents indicated that there was an organization MSF
providing support around health in the area. Other development
interventions were driven by politicians yet these were intermittent
depending on the politics.

The residents reported that participation in development activities
at community level was heavily politicized.
CONTACT PERSONS
Mai Mahachi - 023240250, Mai Farawu - 023390910,
Mai Langa - 023802797
Mai Kupwanyira, Jacha Epworth
28
OVERSPILL
LOCATION
The area is located to the north-east of Epworth Quarry Dam and is
bordered to the south by Chinamano Extension or Maseko.
BRIEF HISTORY
“Overspill was established through a planning exercise that took
place in the 1980s which led to the subsequent relocation of
people who were staying in Jacha. Thus some of the Overspill
residents were initially living in the Jacha area (informal
settlement). The allocation was done on the 13th of December in
1993 by the Ministry of Local Government and National Housing
and we were told to build only two-roomed temporary units at
that time.” - Mbuya Kondo
Mbuya Kondo, Overspill Epworth

29

Overspill is a formal and planned settlement.
LAND TENURE ISSUES

The residents have lease agreements signed with the Local Board. In
addition, they have ‘cards’ which they used to pay monthly rates of
US$3,00.
HOUSING
A majority of the residents in Overspill have now built approved
houses although there is an equally big number of people still living in
unplanned housing. A few structures built with ‘green bricks’ are also
noticeable. On average, there is more than one structure on each
plot.
BASIC SERVICES
›› Overspill has individualized water infrastructure but due to
pumping capacity challenges the taps have been dry for over a
year. Alternatively, residents use deep wells.
A deep well in Overspill, Epworth

30
›› The sewer infrastructure is also in place but due to

water challenges it is not active. Other residents
however, have septic tanks and they use the ‘bucket
system’.
›› There is electricity infrastructure in some sections but
there is need for a transformer to enable connection.
›› There is a network of tarred roads for the settlement.
SOCIAL SERVICES
›› There is a school in the area; Kubatana Secondary
›› There is no clinic in the area.
›› There is no community center.
Mbuya Gladys Chokumanyara, Overspill Epworth
31
There is a housing project that was launched by the government in
2005 dubbed Operation Garikai which saw the construction of
around 50 houses. This project soon stopped due to financial
challenges. Currently, the Epworth chapter of the Zimbabwe
Homeless People’s Federation is building 9 houses in Overspill.

The residents admitted that they were aware of the existence of
local development committees but hastened to point out that
these structures were rarely active.
CONTACT PERSONS
Mr. Chokumanyara, Freda Mamvota and Mbuya Kondo
An approved house belonging to Mai Lillian Chapanga being

built by the Epworth Federation.
32
Ma-GADA OVERSPILL
LOCATION
The area is located in Overspill near the Operation Garikai site. In fact,
some of the residents call it Garikai Extension.
BRIEF HISTORY
“This place used to be fields of the originals before the planning took
place. After the formal allocation of plots by the Ministry in 1991, some
of the plots were not occupied and they remained vacant. This triggered
the sale of plots by the ‘originals’ like Mai Rusike, VaMuchenje, Sheila
Mambo and Sinamano. We just settled randomly and never considered
the existing pegs hence the place is also called ‘Ma-Free Gada. As for my
plot I bought it from Va-Sinamano in 1992 and now it turns out that I am
right on top of a planned road hence we have been asked to move.” - Mai
Nyakudya.
Mai Nyakudya, Ma-Gada-Overspill Epworth
33

The settlement itself is formal and planned but the residents are illegal occupants.
LAND TENURE ISSUES

The 48 families living in Ma-Gada are officially recognized by the Local Board and have ‘cards’ which they use to pay their monthly rates of US$2,00.
HOUSING
The area has houses made from either ‘green’ or burnt bricks. Others have built with cement bricks. All these houses are unplanned structures although some of them
are evidently durable. On average, each plot has more than two structures.
BASIC SERVICES
›› The area has water infrastructure but the residents can not get connections since they are regarded as illegal settlers. In any case, the pipes have been dry for
over 12 months. There used to be a communal stand-pipe installed by the Local Board but this was removed during the 2005 evictions. Therefore, the residents
use deep wells.
›› There is a sewer network for the area although this does not serve the Ma-Free Gada residents since they are recognized as illegal occupants. Even so, this
network is inactive. Residents, therefore, use pit latrines with ‘bucket system’.
›› There is no electricity in Ma-Gada and residents use firewood, saw-dust and paraffin for their energy needs.
›› There are no roads although these do exist on the layout.
34
SOCIAL SERVICES
›› There is no school in the Ma-Gada area but there are two
adjacent schools; Epworth Secondary in Chinamano
Extension and Batanai Primary in Overspill.
›› People walk to Chiremba Clinic or Epworth Polyclinic in
Domboramwari (+5km) for the health services as there
are no clinics in Ma-Gada.
›› There is no community centre in the are but there is an
open space near the Garikai site and this is used for
community sports activities.
The Ma-Gada area is currently undergoing formalization and
some of the residents (uMfelandawonye members) are already
being formally allocated plots elsewhere. Financial challenges
are slowing this process. MSF and Mashambanzou are assisting
around health interventions.
Winet Mukombwe, MaGada-Overspill Epworth
35

Residents acknowledged engagement with the Board around the development issues. For instance, some pointed out that they have now registered on the housing
waiting list through this dialogue. Others are participating through their affiliation to uMfelandawonye. The residents however, noted that the local development
committees were not providing constant feedback to the residents.
CONTACT PERSONS
Beatrice Magunda0913001938, Mr. Makorokoto023361784, Mai Mwedzi0912644031, Mai Nyakudya0912848751
36
MAKOMO
LOCATION
Makomo is located between the balancing rocks and Jacha
informal settlement. To its south is Chiremba road.
BRIEF HISTORY
Makomo was established in 1908 after the arrival of the
Methodist Missionaries in the present day Epworth.
Makomo was amongst the first four villages, which also
included Chiremba, Chizungu and Chinamano. Therefore,
they are also part of the ‘originals’. After the establishment
of the Mission, followers of the Methodist Missionaries
were allocated pieces of land leading to the growth of the
settlement.
Felistas Chimbodza, Makomo Epworth

37

The settlement is legal and has now been regularized through a planning exercise that was initiated by government in the 1908s.
LAND TENURE ISSUES

Residents have signed lease agreements with the Local Board and they are levied monthly rates of US$3,00.
HOUSING
A majority of the houses about three quarters were built with ’green bricks’. Most of the houses have been built without approved house plans although some new
planned houses with are coming up. On average there are two or more structures on each plot.
BASIC SERVICES
›› Makomo has water infrastructure but the pipes have been dry due to low pumping capacity. Residents therefore use either deep wells or boreholes that have
been installed in the area.
›› There is sewer infrastructure in place but due to water challenges this is not active. Instead, residents use Blair toilets or pit latrines.
›› Makomo is serviced by gravel roads and some of the roads are yet to be opened up.
›› There is no electricity infrastructure for the area.
38
According to the residents, the Local Board has plans to bring
water into the area during this year. Residents have been
encouraged to submit house plans by the Local Board so that they
can build approved houses. Furthermore, ZESA has urged
residents to mobilize funds so as to get connected to the national
grid. However, the residents expressed that as a result of financial
challenges very few households could afford this.

Residents noted that there was very little participation by the
community in development activities. One resident observed,
“We are very happy that you have come with this initiative, at
least it gives us any opportunity to say what we think about the
development of our area.”
CONTACT PERSONS
Micah Chimbodza - 0912998198, Letwin Simon - 0913281595
Regina Mandishaika, Jacha Epworth
39
DOMBORAMWARI
LOCATION
The area is located to the south of Epworth and south-east of
Zinyengere Extension. A vast granite-based rock outcrop is one of the
most prominent features that is commonly associated with the area
hence the name Domboramwari.
BRIEF HISTORY
“Before we came here, this place used to be fields and grazing lands
of the ‘originals’ who were either staying in Chiremba or Makomo.
Their children sold stands to us and that is how we started living here.
After buying these stands later we found ourselves fighting in courts
as these ‘originals’ started demanding their land back. We
successfully and sternly resisted evictions with the help of Baba
Konde and Baba Chirovedza who were leading us at that time. More
and more people then came in buying plots that were further
subdivided after initially buying from the ‘originals’.” - Mr. Mare
Taking down profiling notes in Overspill, Epworth

40

The settlement is legal since it is recognized by the Local Board.
LAND TENURE ISSUES

Residents have ‘cards’ issued out by the Board which they use to pay their monthly rates. One resident echoed the same sentiments that came out in most of the areas;
“We are staying here legally because we are paying levies to the Local Board.”
HOUSING
Most of the houses are not planned and they were built from ‘green bricks’. On average, there are at two or more structures on each plot in Domboramwari.
BASIC SERVICES
›› There is water infrastructure in the area but like in the other areas, the taps are dry. Residents have dug deep wells from where they draw drinking water.
›› Sewer infrastructure is not in place and residents have either Blair toilets or pit latrines.
›› There is no electricity and residents use firewood, saw-dusts or paraffin for the energy needs. However, saw-dusts are the more popular.
›› The area is served by gravel roads and some of the roads still need opening up
SOCIAL SERVICES
›› There is one school in the area; Zinyengere Primary
›› There is a clinic in Domboramwari; Epworth Clinic.
›› There is a Police Station in the area.
41
Residents have been submitting house plans to the Local
Board so that they can build approved houses. Zimbabwe
Community Development Programme and Plan
International have assisted around water and sanitation
whilst Mashambanzou and the Methodist Church have
supported orphans in the area.

We are constantly engaged in community development
meetings by the above organizations and we also meet and
discuss as the community on how to tackle development
issues.
CONTACT PERSONS
Mr. Mare - 0912715212, Caston Elson,
Mary Chinyanga - 0912970113,
Evelyn Tshuma - 0912333788
Sekuru Alias Chokumanyara, Overspill Epworth

42
CONCLUSIONS
Epworth started first with Chiremba village which had Muguta and Makomo as the sub-villages. Another village, Chizungu, was established with the sub-villages as
Chinamano and Zinyengere. This took place between 1895 and 1908 after the arrival of Methodist Missionaries in the area. These four villages constitute what the
residents call the ‘originals’. Later on, the ‘originals’ started selling some of their land (fields and grazing lands) subdividing them into plots attracting an influx of more
people into the area. Another group of residents just occupied open spaces in what are now known as Ma-Gada.
In the early 1980s, the Methodist Church donated part of land belonging to Epworth Mission to the government leading to the formation of the Epworth Local Board.
Soon after this, formalization of the settlement commenced. A layout plan for the area was produced followed by the installation of basic infrastructure for some and
not all of the areas. Whilst areas like Chiremba had both sewer and water amenities installed, most of the areas simply accessed a water network. However, due to a
depressed capacity at the pumping stations, these services have been inactive. Residents have therefore improvised other alternatives like deep wells and pit latrines
as the proxy for the missing basic services.
A majority of the residents in Epworth have a period of residency exceeding 20 years. Over 60% of the population resides in informal conditions, that is, they were not
officially allocated the plots they occupy and these have not been formalized. However, whilst conditions in these areas (Ma-Gada) are informal, the residents consider
themselves as ‘officially recognized residents’. According to the residents the official status is derived from either the ‘stand numbers’ or the ‘cards’ which they use to
pay monthly levies to the Local Board. Therefore, there is a tacit expectation within the residents that their settlements will be formalized just like the other areas like
Chiremba and Overspill. The time they have spent in these areas has also given them some sense of ‘security’ against any evictions.
Another phenomenon of informality (Ma-Gada) involves residents who are living on planned land yet they were not officially allocated by the Local Board or the
Ministry. This relates, for example, to the Free-Gada in Overspill near the Garikai site. The Local Board has however urged these families to register on the housing
43
waiting list for consideration in the future housing projects. According to the residents minimum relocations would be desirable. Perhaps, there is scope of engaging
the Board on this matter especially if a collective strategy is adopted.
The existence of governance institutions and local-level development structures was acknowledged in most of the areas although residents reported that these were
not active. Only Domboramwari noted high participation in community development activities. Most of the community-based structures in place deal with health
issues and in particular HIV/AIDS. The presence of the Epworth chapter of the Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation was also acknowledged in Overspill and
Chinamano Extension.
44
PERSONAL PROFILE
MBUYA REBECCA KONDO

I arrived here in Epworth on the 2nd of December 1947 with my uncle, Sekuru
Kajau. My uncle had a stand in Chiremba. Then I was 10 years old and enrolled at
Epworth Primary School which was run by the Methodist Church. After school, I
trained as a teacher at Old Umtali Teachers Training College and taught in a
number of areas in Mashonaland East. When my husband died I came back to
Epworth and I was allocated a stand in Muguta Extension known at that time as
Ku-Matanga in 1978. In 1991, our settlement was demolished just before the
arrival of the Queen for the CHOGM Meeting. Most of the people were relocated
to Porta Farm but I remained in Epworth and went back to stay with my parents in
Chiremba. In 1993, my life took a positive turn when together with some of the
landless families in Epworth we were allocated stands here in Overspill. At last,
my lifetime dream had been fulfilled. In no time, I moved to occupy my stand
(Number 5533) and put up a temporary structure. In 1998, the news of the
Federation came to me and the next thing I had joined since I needed support to
build my own house. Today, I am glad as I am part of the first housing project by
the Epworth chapter of the Federation and my two-roomed unit is under
construction. All these things seemed impossible in my life, but uMfelandawonye
has proved otherwise that the poor can also do it!
45
PERSONAL PROFILE
AGATHA MUZANGAZA
I came here in Overspill, Epworth in 1979 and before that I was staying in
St. Marys in Chitungwiza. We bought the stands from Va-Ganda who was
staying in Chiremba village. Yes, at that time we used to call them villages.
Most of the houses were thatched during those days. The stands were just
over an acre but they were not uniform. Before we came the plots were
initially fields of the ‘originals’. After staying for less than a year, we were
shocked to see the originals coming back demanding their land. They were
violent but we refused to leave the plots and defended ourselves even
through the courts.
Agatha Muzangaza, Overspill Epworth

46
In 1983, our struggle ended as we were allocated ‘cards’ by the Mission’s Administration which was based in Chiremba where you find Epworth Primary today. Between
198586, a planning process to formalize Overspill started. After a layout plan had been produced, some people who were along public spaces were asked to relocate. I
was fortunate since I was not suppose to move and the following we were registered with the Local Board. My plot was given a stand number thus switching from the old
one (8/F/67) to a new one (2019). In 1995 our area was serviced with water pipes but we do not have sewer. After the war with the ’originals’, I am glad that the
formalization process settled the issue of my tenure and now I am paying US$3,00 monthly towards rates to the Local Board.
47
PERSONAL PROFILE
Mbuya Kofi
We arrived here in Epworth in 1979 and bought stands in Jacha from
Va-Chinyama. He was part of the ‘originals’ and was residing in
Chiremba. We stayed in Jacha for over 10 years and when the
process of formalization started in Overspill we were considered by
the Local Board. In 1993, I was allocated stand number 5451 and the
following year I relocated to Overspill to occupy my plot. The plots
were serviced with roads and water pipes but without sewer.
Although the water pipes are in place, we have not had running
water here in Overspill and we use deep wells. I have a pit latrine
with a bucket system which I use with my family. In 1998, I joined the
Zimbabwe Homeless People's Federation together with Mai
Mhandu, Mai Chapanga and Va-Dzvuke. We had a number of
problems along the way but I am happy since I have now built my
two-roomed house through the Federation.
Mbuya Kofi, Overspill Epworth
48
LIST OF PROFILING PARTICIPANTS

Getrude Tumbare Overspill Mr Makorokoto Overspill—MaGada
Chengetai Mutata Chinamano Ext Ms Muzangaza Chinamano Ext
Christopher Siyakurima Overspill Ms Mahachi Jacha
Lameck Kanyangira Chinamano Ext Mr Micah Mbodza Makomo
Rebecca Kondo Overspill Nomthimba Tshuma Bulawayo Federation
Delia Mpandi Overspill Sibongile Sibanda Victoria Falls
Mable Payarira Overspill Zivanai Chatikobo Gweru Federation
Freda Mamvota Overspill Linah Dube Mutare Federation
Norman Mhlanga Chiremba Emelia Ncube Gwanda Federation
Silas Mhlanga Chiremba Barbra Nyabadza Harare Federation
Susan Kajau Chiremba Sheila Dendera Harare Federation
Mrs Manene Chizungu Patuma Kazembe Harare Federation
Mr. Andrew Chalete Chizungu Aleta Chikobvu Bulawayo Federation
Ms Audha Zinyengere Ext Juliet Tshuma Victoria Falls
Mr Mavhuna Zinyengere Ext Samukeliswe Tshuma Co-ordinator, Bulawayo Federation
Ms Nyakudya MaGada—Overspill Oppa Chipeta Shurugwi Federation
Ms Beatrice Magunda MaGada—Overspill Margaret Musa Shurugwi Federation
49
Mr Nkomo Ministry of National Housing George Masimba Nyama Dialogue on Shelter

Mr JC Choto Ministry of National Housing Brenda Fadzai Hove Dialogue on Shelter
Mr O Mhazo Ministry of National Housing
Patience Mudimu Dialogue on Shelter
Ms J Nyamutenha Ministry of National Housing Shadreck Tondori Co-ordinator, Harare Federation
Mr K Sada Ministry of National Housing Sheila Magara Co-ordinator, Harare Federation
Davious Muvindi Co-ordinator, Harare Federation
Ms N Chinorumba Ministry of National Housing
Cathrine Chiremba Co-ordinator, Harare Federation
Mr G Mhondiwa Ministry of National Housing
Lucia Ndimulunde SDI—Namibia
Paulus Dommy SDI—Namibia
Ms Lucky SDI—Namibia
David Shikoyeni SDI—Namibia
Emma Buumba SDI—Zambia
Ms Memory Mulimo SDI—Zambia

Anthony Mupeseni SDI—Zambia
Melanie Chirwa SDI—Zambia
Lewis Mwila SDI—Zambia
Evans Itayi Banana Dialogue on Shelter
50
NOTES
51

Epworth Profiling Report PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Epworth Profiling Report PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Epworth Profiling Report May 2009

Our stories as told from within...

Dialogue on Shelter for the Homeless

History of Epworth Settlement

History of Epworth Settlement

The so-called ‘urbanisation of politics’ starting from the year 2000

Background of the Profiling Exercise

Zimbabweans during a profiling

Purpose of the Epworth Profiling Exercise

Epworth Profiling Team: The poor as the experts!

SDI members during profiling exercise in Epworth

About 15 Federation members from the other Zimbabwean

Participants from other Zimbabwean Federation regions.

Epworth Profiling: How we did it

1. Chiremba also known as Muguta

Briefing… Profiling team members

Profiling: the key issues

Participants at profiling meeting

THE FINDINGS: OUR STORIES AS TOLD BY US

STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

LAND TENURE ISSUES

A complete approved house in Makomo, Epworth.

›› There are no community centres in the area.

Mai Tauro, Chinamano Extension Epworth

STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

LAND TENURE ISSUES

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT

A pit latrine using the bucket system in Chinamano Extension

Mai Mdaya, Chinamano ExtensionEpworth

Otilia Kanyai, Epworth

STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

LAND TENURE ISSUES

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT

STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

Emily Ndou, Makomo Epworth

LAND TENURE ISSUES

STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

Esther Musiyarira, Jacha Epworth

LAND TENURE ISSUES

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT

Mai Kupwanyira, Jacha Epworth

Mbuya Kondo, Overspill Epworth

STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

LAND TENURE ISSUES

A deep well in Overspill, Epworth

›› The sewer infrastructure is also in place but due to

Mbuya Gladys Chokumanyara, Overspill Epworth

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT

An approved house belonging to Mai Lillian Chapanga being

Mai Nyakudya, Ma-Gada-Overspill Epworth

STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

LAND TENURE ISSUES

Winet Mukombwe, MaGada-Overspill Epworth

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT

Felistas Chimbodza, Makomo Epworth

STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

LAND TENURE ISSUES

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT

Regina Mandishaika, Jacha Epworth

Taking down profiling notes in Overspill, Epworth

STATUS OF THE SETTLEMENT

LAND TENURE ISSUES

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT