Gweru
Gweru
Gwelo | |
|---|---|
|
Coat of arms | |
| Motto: Progress | |
Gweru Gweru in Zimbabwe | |
| Coordinates: 19°27′12″S 29°48′55″E / 19.45333°S 29.81528°E | |
| Country | Zimbabwe |
| Province | Midlands |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Incorporated (town) | 1914 |
| Incorporated (city) | 1971 |
| Elevation | 1,424 m (4,672 ft) |
| Population (2022 census) | |
• Total | 158,200 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (CAT) |
| Climate | Cwb |
| Website | https://gwerucitycouncilsite.wordpress.com/ |
Gweru, historically known as Gwelo, is the capital city of Zimbabwe's Midlands Province. Founded in 1894 as a military outpost by Leander Starr Jameson. the settlement grew from an area originally called "The Steep Place" by the Ndebele people, a reference to the high banks of the Gweru River. It achieved municipal status in 1914 and was declared a city in 1971.
As of the 2022 Zimbabwe census, Gweru has a population of 121,712 in the Rural district and 161,292 in the Urban district. The city serves as a regional hub for agriculture, particularly beef cattle ranching, crop farming and commercial gardening for export. In addition to its economic role, Gweru is an educational centre home to institutions such as Midlands State University, Mkoba Teachers College and Gweru Polytechnic. The city is nicknamed City of Progress.