Filabusi

Filabusi
Emfelabuso
Farming area near Filabusi
Farming area near Filabusi
Filabusi is located in Zimbabwe
Filabusi
Filabusi
Location in Zimbabwe
Coordinates: 20°31′46″S 29°17′12″E / 20.52944°S 29.28667°E / -20.52944; 29.28667
Country Zimbabwe
ProvinceMatabeleland South
Districts of ZimbabweInsiza District
MunicipalityFilabusi Town Council
Elevation
3,566 ft (1,087 m)
Population
 (2012 Census)
 • Total
1,756
Time zoneUTC+2 (CAT)
ClimateBSh

Filabusi is a town in the Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe. The town is the administrative capital of Insiza District and a service centre for the surrounding mining and farming areas.[1]

Location

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Filabusi lies off the Mbalabala–Mutare Road, approximately 98 kilometres (61 mi), southeast of Bulawayo, the nearest large city.[2] This is approximately 91 kilometres (57 mi), by road, west of Zvishavane, in Zvishavane District.[3] The geographical coordinates of Filabusi are 20°31'46.0"S, 29°17'12.0"E (Latitude:-20.529444; Longitude:29.286667).[4] The town sits at an average elevation of 1,087 metres (3,566 ft) above mean sea level.[5]

Overview

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The town of Filabusi is supplied with water from a weir on the Insiza River. The Filabusi Mining District was a major producer of gold, with mines such as Fred and Royal Family. Nickel was mined at Epoch Mines, owned by Bindura Nickel Corporation.[6]  Asbestos was also mined at Pangani and Croft. However all these large scale mining operations are now closed, with mining in the district limited to small scale artisanal gold mining.[6]

Population

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The 2012 national population census put the population of Filabusi at 1,756 inhabitants.[7]

Agriculture

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Agriculture in the Filabusi area is mostly cattle ranching, with some small-scale farming (see photo), the latter mainly on land expropriated from Caucasian settlers, as part of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP).[8]

Other considerations

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The town hosts a hospital; the Filabusi District Hospital and a high school, the Filabusi High School. There are two private surgeries and a retail pharmacy. [9] Filabusi is also home to Godlwayo Culture Centre, which hosted the 2016 Annual Zimbabwe Culture Week.[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lungelo Ndhlovu (20 November 2019). "Homes, land destroyed as desperate Zimbabweans turn to illegal gold mining". London: Thomson Reuters Foundation. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Road Distance Between Bulawayo and Filabusi" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Road Distance From Filabusi To Zvishavane" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Location of Filabusi, Zimbabwe" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  5. ^ Floodmap (27 July 2020). "Elevation of Filabusi, Zimbabwe". Floodmap.net. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b Baglow, N. (1998). The geology of the Filabusi Greenstone Belt and surrounding granitic terrain. Vol. 91. Zimbabwe Geological Survey Bulletin.
  7. ^ Geoview (2020). "Filabusi is a populated place and is located in Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe". Geoview.info. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  8. ^ John Murphy (6 July 2004). "Zimbabwe farmers set roots in Zambia". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  9. ^ "Map Showing Filabusi High School and Filabusi District Hospital" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Zimbabwe: Culture Week Preparations Gather Momentum" (via AllAfrica.com). The Herald (Zimbabwe). Harare. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
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