Ngoni Dapira

AFTER scoring so many firsts in his prolific business career since 1980, Mutare based real estate magnate Dr Joseph Sanhanga is set to score another first by building Mutare’s first gated community at his township, Valley of Kings. The housing project is estimated to cost US$20 million.

Inn Zimbabwe gated communities are now the in thing, particularly in Harare, where there is the likes of  Borrowdale Brooke which is the oldest, and more modern models like Pokugara Estate and Arlington East, which provide residents with features like controlled access and  private shopping malls and recreational centres for residents or invited guests only offering a high-lifestyle environment.

Harare based entrepreneur Edmore Dube breaking the ground as the guest speaker.

The ground breaking ceremony was held last week Friday at Valley of Kings which will be a modern, mixed-use development with residential, commercial and recreational amenities. The project is a joint venture partnership with Harare based building consortium, ZIP Construction (Pvt) Ltd. The first phase of the project will construct 90 units of modern high and medium density houses measuring 500 square metres and 800 square metres respectively..

Valley of Kings situated 12 km north-west of Mutare along the Mutare-Harare highway was gazetted as a township in 1956. It went under liquidation in the 1970’s and was bought in 1993 by Ferro Consulting (Pvt) Ltd, a company which is owned by Dr Sanhanga as the chairman. The township formerly called Irene Township has a total of 204 847 hectares comprising of residential, commercial and institutional stands. The name was changed by Dr Sanhanga in 1999 who decided to call it Valley of Kings or Guta reMadzimambo in Shona vernacular, because of its majestic views surrounded by mountains.

Dr Sanhanga scored his first in the real estate sector in 1992 when he became the first black entrepreneur post-independence (1980), to build a double storey building in the central business district in Mutare. This achievement was acknowledged by the late former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe who officially opened the building.

Dr Sanhanga is also one of the first black entrepreneurs to buy a township in Zimbabwe post-independence, and the first from Manicaland. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Advocate Misheck Mugadza, the assistant Mutasa District Development Coordinator (DDC) Memory Kaseke said this development embodies the spirit of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, which means this nation, can only be built by its own people.

The dignitaries at the front table following proceedings during the event.

“What you are doing here is not only uplifting Manicaland, but showing the entire nation what can be achieved when integrity, innovation and patriotism work hand in hand…And as we turn this soil, let us commit to building not only homes but a future that is refined, inclusive and proudly Zimbabwean.”

Adding, “As government we fully support responsible private developers who work with honesty and vision- those who bring progress follow proper channels and leave lasting values for our people. Together we are proving that transformation begins when we take ownership of our destiny,” said Min Mugadza.

Minister Mugadza also paid tribute to Dr Sanhanga as a true pioneer whose legacy continues to guide Manicaland Province on a progressive development trajectory since post-independence up-to-date.

“To Mrs Sanhanga (Sinikiwe) the unwavering strength behind this family and its enterprises, we honour you as the compass and cornerstone of this great household,” said the resident Minister, as he also paid tribute to his wife citing that usually, behind a successful man is a strong and encouraging woman.

Harare based entrepreneur, Edmore Dube cutting the ribbon as the guest speaker for the ground breaking ceremony.

Harare based entrepreneur Edmore Dube, who also hails from Manicaland, was the guest speaker. He applauded Dr Sanhanga for continuing to be a pace setter in Manicaland even at the age of 77. He said as businesspeople from Manicaland, they are taking a leaf from him, citing the way he is always proactive about infrastructure development in Manicaland province to make it stand out.

“This project was lagging in Mutare as gated communities are now the modern day concept, especially in Harare. The location of Valley of Kings is ideal for this concept as it will add value to this area outside Mutare also decongesting the city of Mutare,” said Dube.

Dube also thanked President Mnangagwa and his new dispensation government for opening up the country for business and supporting the concept of densification to help reduce the housing backlog.

“We thank our government for opening up the country for business. In the real estate sector, government is now calling for smart cities and densification to cater for the growing population. This is what we are witnessing here as Ferro Consulting starts its gated communities concept within a gated community. I understand it will have different sections. This Phase One will be low and medium density houses and then Phase Two will have high rise buildings and apartments, and another area which will have low density housing units,” said Dube.

Densification involves developing multi-family dwellings and redeveloping existing spaces to accommodate more people and economic activity in a smaller footprint, which can lead to more efficient infrastructure use given that land is not infinite, especially for housing.

As of 2024, Zimbabwe’s housing backlog stood at a staggering 1.25 million units. Urban centres like Harare and Bulawayo accounted for 70 percent of the shortfall. As a result, the housing delivery pillar within the National Development Strategy (NDS1) aims to deliver 220 000 housing units by 2025 and more than 470 000 homes by 2030 through the collective efforts of Government, the private sector, and individuals. These projects include not only the construction of housing units but also the provision of essential on-site developments such as roads, water and sewer reticulation services.

Ferro Consulting and ZIP Construction executives celebrating the partnership after the ground breaking.

ZIP Construction managing director Engineer Password Zvavamwe said he has vast experience in such projects. He said he is privileged to have been given the opportunity to partner with Ferro Consulting on this historic project which he believes will change the face of Mutare.

“We have been working on the Arcturus commercial site in Harare and have over the years renovated many commercial building sites in Harare re-modeling them into modern infrastructures. So far at Valley of Kings we have completed site clearance and ground excavation is in the process whilst we wait for Mutasa Rural District Council to approve our housing plans. But immediately once the plans are approved we intend to start construction of the houses,” said Eng Zvavamwe.

Eng Zvavamwe added that their gated community concept combines use of technology, communal living spaces and unique social amenities that differentiate the estate from the traditional suburban designs. The social amenities are exclusively reserved for the owners of properties to preserve privacy and uphold value.

“We will have 43 units on 500 square metres and 47 units on 800 square metres. The gated community will have its own community car park area for visitors or residents with more than two cars and a shopping centre for its residents given that Valley of Kings is 12km out of Mutare. Stands will range from US$180 000 to US$230 000 depending on the location and size, and we will also sell off-plan at US$25 per square metre. However, the housing design off plan has to be the approved one from Mutasa RDC. Off plan is just for people that want to build on their own at their own pace,” said Zvavamwe.

He said their housing designs are very modern with glass roofs. For the 500 sqm units, they will have three bedrooms with a garage, whilst the 800sqm units have four bedrooms and an outside parking space.

One of the directors of Ferro Consulting, Joe Sanhanga (Junior) said at Valley of Kings they have 319 051 squares metres of land for residential and commercial stands. He said 120 794 square metres of this land is not yet serviced. He said Valley of Kings, which was coined by his visionary father Dr Sanhanga, is a name rooted in heritage, strength and purpose and they aim to deliver on this futuristic gated community project that will change the face of Mutare.

“We are not just turning the soil, we are turning a page in history. This is the dawn of 90 new homes but more than that the birth to a new way of living, a re-imaging of what Zimbabwean excellence can look like when faith vision and dedication unite. This entire development represents an estimated US$20 million dollar in housing property value at the end of its establishment…Let me be clear. This is only the beginning at Valley of Kings,” said Sanhanga Junior.

“Adding, “We are open for business at Valley of Kings and the land is there for property developers that want to partner with us in line with our vision,” he said.

The ground breaking ceremony was also presided over by the dean of the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland Reverend Fortune Kuzinya. Other notable dignitaries who graced the event were Chief Saurombe and his wife, headman Murahwa and members of the business community, as well as family and friends.