Kwekwe, city in Zimbabwe

Kwekwe is a city in Zimbabwe's Midlands Province that developed around rich mineral deposits including gold, chrome, and iron, and is now known for its large steel factories and fertilizer plants. The cityscape shows a mix of colonial-era buildings with simple designs and modern industrial structures, crossed by busy streets filled with markets, shops, and the daily activity of workers and traders.

Kwekwe was founded in 1898 as a mining town and grew quickly as miners from Australia and New Zealand arrived seeking gold and other minerals. The city developed into a major industrial center and maintained its importance as a mining and manufacturing hub throughout the 20th century, with steel and fertilizer plants later establishing themselves alongside mining operations.

Kwekwe takes its name from a Zulu word meaning 'scurvy,' inspired by frogs that once lived near the Kwekwe River and whose croaking gave the area its distinctive name. Today the city shows how different cultures live side by side, with residents speaking Shona, Ndebele, and Tonga, and traditional markets operating alongside modern industrial sites.

Kwekwe sits centrally in Zimbabwe and is accessible via well-maintained paved roads from nearby towns like Gweru and Kadoma, with equal distance to Harare and Bulawayo for longer trips. The warm and humid summer weather from November to March can exceed 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), while winters from May to August are cool and dry. Plan your visit for the drier months and consider bringing flexible clothing for temperature changes.

Kwekwe's National Mining Museum is housed in a unique wooden structure called Paper House, built in 1894 and imported from Britain. This remarkable building showcases the engineering of its era and serves as a historical anchor for visitors interested in learning about Zimbabwe's mining history.

• GPS coordinates: -18.92844,29.81400
• Latest update: February 17, 2026 00:40