Umguza, Matabeleland North – Zimbabwe on Thursday belatedly commemorated World Habitat Day at Vulindlela Township in Umguza, Matabeleland North Province, under the theme “Urban Crisis Response.” The global event, officially recognised by the United Nations and observed annually on the first Monday of October, is dedicated to reflecting on the state of human settlements and the universal right to adequate shelter.

This year’s theme, Urban Crisis Response, focuses on addressing multiple crises affecting urban areas — from climate change and conflicts to growing inequality — while promoting sustainable and inclusive solutions for urban resilience. The 2025 commemorations highlighted the importance of sustainable planning, scalable housing models, and innovative governance to strengthen communities facing displacement and instability.

Representing the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Richard Moyo, Director for Economic Affairs and Investment, Godfrey Mukwakwama emphasised the need for collective responsibility in building sustainable towns and cities. He noted that Matabeleland North Province continues to grapple with challenges such as water scarcity, housing shortages, infrastructure deficits, and the growing impacts of climate change.

Mr Mukwakwama called for strategic urban planning and stronger local government capacity to enforce standards, prevent informal settlements, and promote climate-smart development. He highlighted government’s continued investment in long-term water solutions — including dam construction, water recycling, and water-harvesting technologies — with the Gwayi-Shangani Water Project  as a provincial priority.

The Minister of State reaffirmed his and the Second Republic’s commitment, under His Excellency the  President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership, to prioritising the development of sustainable human settlements. He emphasised that “a nation is built by its own people,” expressing the vision for Matabeleland North  to become a province where cities and towns are not merely places of survival, but centres of opportunity, prosperity, and beauty for all.

He further urged greater public-private collaboration to expand affordable housing delivery and regularise informal settlements, ensuring access to basic services and secure tenure for all citizens.  ‘Our response must be rooted in strategic urban planning. We can no longer afford ad-hoc development. Our local authorities, both rural and urban councils, must be empowered and supported to enforce town planning standards, to curb the proliferation of informal settlements and to direct growth in a sustainable manner. We must plan for green spaces, for efficient public transport and for resilient infrastructure that can withstand the shocks of climate and time, he said.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities Honourable Zhemu Soda underscored the day’s significance in promoting the right to adequate housing and inclusive urban growth. He applauded Zimbabwe’s election to the UN-Habitat Executive Board (2025–2029) and commended progress made under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), noting that more than 800,000 houses had been constructed, with investments in housing delivery exceeding US$1 billion.

Minister Soda outlined several government initiatives driving progress, including the densification strategy, regularisation of informal settlements, and the Kwangu/Ngakwami Presidential Title Deeds Programme, aimed at improving housing access and land security. He explained the need to observe the  40%  requirement for all developable residential land to be reserved for cluster houses and high-rise apartments to curb urban sprawl and protect agricultural land.

‘To address infrastructure challenges and reduce the cost of serviced land, the Government of Zimbabwe has adopted the densification strategy as outlined in the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy.  Given the fact that Zimbabwe’s economy is agro-based thus we do not need to chew much into agricultural and livestock land. Furthermore, land is finite, and the policy directs that 40% of all developable residential land must be set aside for densification models, such as cluster houses and high-rise apartments, he said.

Looking ahead, the Minister said the forthcoming NDS2 will prioritise eleven key pillars — from rural housing development and adoption of climate-proof technologies to strengthening private-sector participation. He also reaffirmed government’s commitment to promoting social amenities, including sports and recreational facilities, to curb drug and substance abuse among youth.

In explaining the rationale of hosting the event in Matabeleland North Province particularly Umguza Rural District Council, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National  Housing and Social Amenities Engineer Kudzanayi Chinyanga indicated that  the choice of Matabeleland North for this event was strategic and deliberate; ‘It demonstrates the Government’s commitment to balanced regional development and ensuring no one and no place is left behind; Previous commemorations were hosted in urban areas or urban local authorities, now this is a Rural District Council’, he said. He also explained that the Province is experiencing significant growth and demographic shifts, making it a critical focus area for habitat and settlement planning. The Secretary indicated that the Vulindlela Township project  housing project is a practical embodiment of this year’s theme, aiming to stimulate local economic activity, build resilience and create employment.

At the same event, G.G. Property Developers showcased their flagship Vulindlela Township Project, described as a model for modern urban response. Projects Director Dumezweni Sandi said the mixed-use, high-density development reflects “smart growth, efficient land use, and community-driven planning.”

The Vulindlela project includes 4,500 residential stands, apartment blocks, a hospital, shopping mall, schools, sports fields, parks, and comprehensive infrastructure networks — creating what Mr Sandi called a “self-contained, vibrant community where people can live, work, and thrive.”

He said the development supports Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the Urban Crisis Response agenda through infrastructure-first planning, climate and social resilience, inclusivity, and local empowerment. Mr Sandi also paid tribute to partners, including the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, Umguza Rural District Council, and the project’s technical teams and beneficiaries.

Representing Umguza Rural District Council, Mr Vusa Sikhosana described the World Habitat Day commemorations as a reminder that every human being deserves a safe and decent place to live. He emphasised that housing remains one of the Council’s key deliverables, and that the local authority continues to strive to provide affordable and functional settlements that meet modern standards.

Mr. Sikhosana expressed appreciation for partners such as G.G. Properties, who are assisting Umguza District in achieving this goal. “As we heard from G.G. Properties, this development plans to deliver over 4,500 housing units. They are one of our leading modern developers in the district, and we can confidently say they meet the required standards,” he said.

He added that as a local authority, Umguza RDC ensures that such standards are maintained and that developments contribute meaningfully to sustainable urban growth. “This year, together with our partners, we successfully delivered over 1,500 serviced stands to home seekers — our contribution towards reducing the national housing backlog,” he noted.

Mr. Sikhosana further stated that the Council’s long-term vision is to see areas undergoing urbanisation transformed into smart cities. “On this World Habitat Day, we are reminded to take action and commit ourselves to building functional, sustainable, and modern settlements across our district,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, as the country moves toward implementing its Vision 2030 goals, this year’s World Habitat Day commemoration served as both a reflection and a call to action — urging government, private developers, and communities to unite in creating sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient human settlements across Zimbabwe.

The commemorations were attended by representatives from several government departments, private developers, built environment organisations, representatives from the financial services sector and the Umguza community.