THE Chinhoyi Municipality has hailed growing private sector participation in the town’s urban renewal drive, saying property owners are responding positively to the Government’s call to modernise ageing infrastructure in line with the smart city concept.
The municipality’s public relations manager, Mr Tichaona Mlauzi, said the local authority was encouraged by the momentum building across the central business district (CBD), where several buildings are undergoing refurbishment while new commercial structures are rising.
“We continue to call upon property owners to spruce up their buildings, mindful that many of them were constructed decades ago,” he said.
“The urban renewal concept is now gaining real traction in Chinhoyi, and we are pleased with the positive response.
“Our vision is to align Chinhoyi with the smart city framework through modern infrastructure, improved aesthetics and enhanced service delivery.
“What we are witnessing is a collaborative effort between council, Government and investors.”
Residents say the visible facelift has restored confidence and pride in the Mashonaland West provincial capital.
“We are witnessing real change in our town. The renovation of buildings and improvement of roads have brought new life into the CBD,” said Esther Chinavainzwa.
“For us as residents, it means improved services, better business prospects and a cleaner environment. It gives us confidence that Chinhoyi is moving in the right direction.”
Mary Mapuranga said the infrastructure upgrades were creating opportunities for young people.
“As new shops and businesses open, employment prospects increase. Instead of travelling to bigger cities to look for work, we can now see potential right here at home,” she said.
Another resident noted that the transformation was reshaping the town’s identity.
“Chinhoyi used to be known mainly as a farming town, but it is now evolving. The facelift has restored pride among residents. When investors see modern buildings and organised streets, they are more likely to invest, and that benefits the whole community,” she said.
The renewed confidence has been amplified by the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Gandi Mall, owned and developed by Persimmon Property Developers.
The 53-shop complex is an eco-friendly facility equipped with a 60kVA solar back-up power system and a borehole to guarantee an uninterrupted water supply.
It has introduced a diverse mix of retail outlets, including fast-food chain Chicken Slice. Mrs Michelle Yambira, the mall’s manager, said policy consistency and economic stability had played a key role in unlocking investment.
“The stability and clear policy direction have created confidence among investors. When there is clarity and support from the Government, it becomes easier to inject capital into infrastructure projects,” she said.
“That confidence is what is driving this transformation in Chinhoyi. With continued support, we expect more shopping complexes, residential flats, and service stations to emerge. The potential for Chinhoyi to become a commercial hub for Mashonaland West is enormous.”
Slice Group marketing manager, Ms Brenda Darare, said the new outlet had already made a tangible impact on livelihoods.
“The opening of our outlet has created employment for over 50 youths. Additionally, we support local farmers who supply customers with hens and fresh potatoes. This is how infrastructure development creates a ripple effect across the local economy,” she said.
“We are hopeful that this momentum will extend to industrial areas so that manufacturing and processing companies can also expand operations within the town.”
Chinhoyi was established as a settlement between 1893 and 1906 and later became a municipality in 1946, with some of its buildings having been constructed around the 1930s.
