By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to accelerating housing delivery by partnering the private sector, saying modern, sustainable and inclusive settlements are central to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda.
Speaking through the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Dr Paul Mavhima, at the groundbreaking ceremony for Oxford Properties’ Borrowdale Park Mixed-Use Residential Development in Harare on Friday, the President said the project reflected the country’s positive socio-economic transformation and demonstrated growing investor confidence in the housing sector.
The 100-hectare development will deliver about 700 residential units alongside schools, healthcare facilities, commercial centres, sports amenities and recreational spaces, creating an integrated community designed around sustainable urban planning principles.
“The Borrowdale Park project is set to contribute about 700 residential units to the housing stock in the City of Harare. The development is a showcase of the tremendous possibilities that can be realized through the strategic collaboration between Government, local authorities and the private sector,” President Mnangagwa said.
He noted that the project aligns with the National Development Strategy and Vision 2030, which seek to modernise Zimbabwe’s human settlements while improving citizens’ quality of life.
The President said his administration had created an enabling investment environment under the “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” policy, resulting in increased local and foreign investment across key sectors of the economy.
President Mnangagwa said integrated settlements such as Borrowdale Park would help manage rapid urbanisation, reduce congestion and pollution, while creating jobs for artisans, professionals and industries linked to the construction sector.
He urged local authorities to improve service delivery and prepare for the demands of expanding urban communities, challenging Harare City Council to keep pace with modern developments.
“The need to scale up the quality of service delivery and provision of social amenities is urgent. Rise to the occasion. Do not be left behind by your residents,” he said.
The President also announced that Government had approved the widening of Liberation Legacy Way and Umwinsidale Road to ease traffic congestion in the rapidly developing area and encouraged greater private sector participation in road infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnerships.
Recognising that housing remains one of Zimbabwe’s key development priorities, President Mnangagwa called for innovative housing finance products and affordable mortgage facilities to enable more citizens to own homes.
He also directed the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities to urgently overhaul the outdated 1977 Model Building By-laws, saying existing legislation no longer reflects contemporary realities and should accommodate modern building technologies, climate-resilient designs and evolving consumer preferences.
Congratulating Oxford Properties on the investment, President Mnangagwa urged all implementing partners to uphold professionalism and quality workmanship.
“This ceremony is not only about construction or brick and mortar. It is about building lives, building dignity and building livelihood security,” he said.
New Ziana
