Matabeleland South | |
|---|---|
.svg) Location of Matabeleland South inZimbabwe | |
| Country | Zimbabwe |
| Established | 1974 |
| Capital | Gwanda |
| Area | |
• Total | 54,172 km2 (20,916 sq mi) |
| Population (2022 census) | |
• Total | 760,345 |
| • Density | 14/km2 (36/sq mi) |
| HDI (2018) | 0.537[1] low ·6th |
Matabeleland South is aprovince in southwesternZimbabwe. With a population of 683,893 as of the 2012 Zimbabwean census. It is the country's least populated province afterMatabeleland North.Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North were established in 1974, when the originalMatabeleland Province was bifurcated. The province is divided into six districts.Gwanda is the capital, andBeitbridge is the province's largest town. The name "Matabeleland" is derived fromNdebele, the province's largest ethnic group.
Matabeleland South is bordered by Bulawayo and Matabeleland North to the north,Midlands to the northeast,Masvingo to the southeast,South Africa to the south, andBotswana to the west. It has an area of 54,172 square kilometres (20,916 sq mi), equal to 13.86% of the total area of Zimbabwe. It is the fourth-largest of the country's ten provinces in area. Matabeleland South sits on the edge of theKalahari Desert, giving it anarid climate not hospitable toagriculture.
The province sits on the edge of theKalahari desert, hence it is arid and very dry. The province shares borders with South Africa and Botswana. As a result, there are Tswana, Sotho/Pedi, Venda, Shangani (Tsonga) and the Khoisan speaking people in the province. The other languages that are native in the province are Ndebele and Kalanga.
Towns and villages in Matabeleland South includeAntelope Mine,Beitbridge,Brunapeg,Colleen Bawn,Esigodini,Filabusi,Fort Rixon,Gwai,Gwanda,Kafusi,Kezi,Madlambudzi,Makhado,Maphisa,Masendu,Ndolwane,Plumtree,Shangani,Stanmore,Tshitshi,Bulu,West Nicholson, andZezani.
| Census | Population[2] |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 653,054 |
| 2012 | 683,893 |
| 2022 | 760,345 |
Matabeleland South is overseen by theMinister of State for Matabeleland South Province, ade factogovernor who oversees provincial affairs and sits in theHouse of Assembly of theParliament of Zimbabwe. The governor is appointed by thePresident of Zimbabwe and is not appointed to a set term. Historically, the governor held the title Governor of Matabeleland South, but the office has since been renamed to align with the2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe, which does not allow for provincial governors.
The current Minister of State for Matabeleland South Province isAbednico Ncube, aZANU–PF member who was appointed by PresidentEmmerson Mnangagwa in December 2017.
Matabeleland South Province is divided into seven districts:Beitbridge,Bulilima,Gwanda,Insiza,Mangwe,Matobo, andUmzingwane.
| Year | ZANU–PF | MDC /MDC–T |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 49.40%107,008 | 41.69%90,292 |
| 2013 | 51.88%81,180 | 37.47%58,633 |
| 2008 | 37.92%46,155 | 28.66%34,885 |
| 2002 | 43.68%73,369 | 50.20%84,322 |
| 1996 | - | - |
| 1990 | - | - |
| Sources:[3][4][5][6] | ||
Like each of Zimbabwe's ten provinces, Matabeleland South Province is represented in theSenate by six senators, three of whom must be women.[7] Senators are not directly elected by voters, but are instead selected by party lists via aproportional representation system.[7] The province's current senators since the2018 elections areThemba Mathuthu (ZANU–PF),Alma Mkwebu (ZANU–PF),Tambudzani Mohadi (ZANU–PF),Simon Khaya-Moyo (ZANU–PF),Bekithemba Mpofu (MDC Alliance), andMeliwe Phuthi (MDC Alliance).[8]
Matabeleland South is represented by 13 Members of Parliament in theHouse of Assembly, Zimbabwe's lower house ofParliament. The province's current MPs since the 2018 elections arePatrick Dube,CCC Mp,Levi Mayihlome,CCC MP,Edgar Moyo,Abednico Ncube,Soul Ncube,Nqobizitha Ndlovu,Albert Nguluvhe,Dingumuzi CCC MP,Spare Sithole, andFarai Taruvinga. All are members of ZANU–PF except for Dube, who represents theMDC Alliance. Fast forward in 2023 now CCC and still under Nelson Chamisa the opposition made serious in roads and managed to wrestle 4 seats that is Mangwe- Matobo, Gwanda North, Mangwe and Beitbridge west. What surprised the whole province is that opposition won Beitbridge West for the first time dating back from 2000. Also for the first time opposition shared with ZANU PF the senate seats and women quota, but still ZANUPF managed to win the youth quota rep .
Its economy is largely centered aroundsubsistence farming andlivestock farming. Droughts and a lack of economic opportunities have resulted in widespread poverty and migration out of the province.
Transport
The province has an important geographical location which can link Botswana to Malawi or South Africa to south Zambia through Bulawayo, but due to lack of investment, the old transport hub of the late 20th century lost its familiarity and use with these two countries.
21°00′S29°30′E / 21.000°S 29.500°E /-21.000; 29.500
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