Mzuzu

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Mzuzu
Mzuzu, Malawi.jpg
Mzuzu
Malawi adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Mzuzu
Location in Malawi
Coordinates: 11°27′29″S34°00′54″E / 11.45807°S 34.015131°E / -11.45807; 34.015131
CountryFlag of Malawi.svg  Malawi
Region Northern Region
Population
 (2018 Census [1] )
 • Total221,272
Time zone +2
Climate Cwb

Mzuzu is the capital of Malawi's Northern Region and is the third largest city by population in Malawi. The city has 221,272 residents and 20,000 commuters (Mzuzu University students) with about 1.7 million people in its metropolitan area. [2] It is situated in Mzimba District. Mzuzu lies in a gap in the Viphya Mountains (40 km north of Mzuzu), and the agricultural region surrounding the city specializes in tea, rubber and coffee cultivation. [3] The Viphya Plantation south of the city is the largest man-made forest in Africa, and the Lunyangwa and Kaning'ina forest preserves are east of the city. [4] The town is located inside Mzimba District.

Contents

Some of the popularly known locations in the city include Chibavi, Luwinga, Area 1B, Chibanja, Katoto, Zolozolo, Masasa, Mchenga-utuba, Chimaliro, Kaning'ina and Katawa.

Mzuzu Shoprite Centre Opposite Katoto Filling Station Mzuzu Shoprite Centre.jpg
Mzuzu Shoprite Centre Opposite Katoto Filling Station

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
197716,108—    
198751,904+12.41%
199886,980+4.81%
2008133,968+4.41%
2018221,272+5.15%
source: [5]

Ethnic groups

Ethnic Groups in Mzuzu City (2018 Census) [6]
Ethnic Groupspercent
Tumbuka
 
51.71%
Chewa
 
13.51%
Ngoni
 
8.09%
Tonga
 
7.36%
Nkhonde
 
4.08%
Lambya
 
3.75%
Yao
 
3.59%
Lomwe
 
3.54%
Sukwa
 
1.07%
Sena
 
0.66%
Mang'anja
 
0.38%
Nyanja
 
0.28%
Other
 
2%

According to the 2018 census, the Tumbuka people are the largest ethnic group in the city composing 51.71% of the city's population. The largest minority ethnic group is the Chewa making up 13.51% of the population. Other minor ethnic groups include the Ngoni with 8.09% of the population, Tonga with 7.36%, Nkhonde with 4.08%, Lambya with 3.75%, Yao with 3.59%, Lomwe with 3.54%, Sukwa with 1.07%, Sena with 0.66%, Mang'anja with 0.38%, Nyanja with 0.28%, and other ethnic groups with 2% of the population. [6]

Religion

Religions in Mzuzu City (2018 Census) [6]

  Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (28.01%)
  Catholic (17.28%)
  Seventh-day Adventist/Baptist/Apostolic (16.27%)
  Pentecostal (6.62%)
  Anglican (1.58%)
  Other Christian (22.21%)
  Muslim (4.06%)
  Traditional (0.1%)
  Other (3.59%)
  No Religion (0.28%)

The largest religious denomination in Mzuzu is Church of Central Africa Presbyterian with 28.01%. The largest minority religion is Catholicism with 17.28%. Other minor religions include Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, and Apostolic with 16.27% combined, Pentecostal with 6.62%, Anglican with 1.58%, other Christian denominations with 22.21%, Islam with 4.06%, Traditional with 0.1%, other religions with 3.59%, and no religion with 0.28% of the city. [6]

The city was developed around the Commonwealth Development Corporation's Tung Oil Estate in 1947 and received city status in 1985. The name comes from a mispronunciation of the word 'Vizuzu' by the white settlers. Vizuzu are plants that grow along the Lunyangwa river. These plants were spotted near the present Mzuzu Government Secondary School also known as Area 1A where the tung planters settled.

Culture

The culture of the city is an amalgam of other cultures of the northern region. Tumbuka is widely spoken in Mzuzu but other languages such as Chewa, Tonga, Swahili, Ngonde are also spoken. Mzuzu is also home to a museum, opened in 1986, showcasing artifacts from various cultures in the northern region. [7] Popular foods include sima (either made from maize, locally called sima ya ngoma, or made from cassava, locally called sima ya mayagho), rice, locally called mpunga, and batala fish (a bottle-nosed mormyrid, Mormyrus longirostris ). Batala comes from the nearby Lake Malawi waters in Nkhata Bay. Other common foods include: maize, bananas, plantains, cocoa, cassava and sweet potatoes.

Health

Mzuzu City is home to Mzuzu Central Hospital, one of four such hospitals in the country. The city is also serviced by Mapale Health Center located at the city centre next to the city's main shopping mall, Shoprite. There are also several CHAM hospitals such as St. Johns, St. John of God Mental Hospital, Nkhorongo SDA Clinic. The city also has private clinics like: Katoto MASM MEDI Clinic, Mumbwe, Kandindindi Evergreen. The pharmaceutical manufacturing company Kentam Products Limited is based in Mzuzu.

Climate

Climate data for Mzuzu (1961–1990)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)25.5
(77.9)		25.6
(78.1)		24.8
(76.6)		23.5
(74.3)		22.1
(71.8)		20.4
(68.7)		20.3
(68.5)		21.9
(71.4)		25.1
(77.2)		27.2
(81.0)		27.2
(81.0)		26.1
(79.0)		24.1
(75.4)
Daily mean °C (°F)19.9
(67.8)		20.0
(68.0)		19.5
(67.1)		18.7
(65.7)		16.4
(61.5)		13.9
(57.0)		13.1
(55.6)		14.0
(57.2)		16.7
(62.1)		19.4
(66.9)		20.5
(68.9)		20.1
(68.2)		17.7
(63.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)16.1
(61.0)		16.5
(61.7)		16.0
(60.8)		14.9
(58.8)		11.6
(52.9)		7.9
(46.2)		6.5
(43.7)		6.6
(43.9)		8.7
(47.7)		11.7
(53.1)		14.2
(57.6)		15.9
(60.6)		12.2
(54.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)203.3
(8.00)		179.5
(7.07)		224.1
(8.82)		213.0
(8.39)		58.8
(2.31)		29.5
(1.16)		30.1
(1.19)		11.8
(0.46)		10.4
(0.41)		35.4
(1.39)		95.7
(3.77)		197.0
(7.76)		1,288.6
(50.73)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.3 mm)20182019966323918133
Average relative humidity (%)82828586858483776762708079
Mean monthly sunshine hours 145.7137.2164.3171.0217.0219.0238.7275.9288.0300.7252.0176.72,586.2
Mean daily sunshine hours 4.74.95.35.77.07.37.78.99.69.78.45.77.1
Source: NOAA [8]

Economy and infrastructure

Reserve Bank of Malawi branch in Mzuzu Reserve Bank of Malawi Mzuzu.jpg
Reserve Bank of Malawi branch in Mzuzu

The commercial hub of the region has coffee, timber, fruit, milk and honey production. [2] Manufacturing includes medication, cosmetics and timber. Through Mzuzu University, the city has a highly skilled labor force. [2] Mzuzu also has good arable land, but is still developing its electricity industry towards a sufficient and reliable state. There is good capital mobility through new banking facilities. [2] There are also small to medium-sized businesses located there that provide telecommunication services, internet cafes, and multipurpose stores. National chains like Chipiku, Peoples Trading, and A.C opticals can be found. The city is the home base of national companies Mzuzu Coffee, Kentam Products Limited, Mzupaso Paints Limited and Northern Life magazine. Mzuzu has two major markets, including Taifa Market that sells fruits, clothes, cellphones, shoes and other products.

Education

The city is home to Mzuzu University, founded in 1999. The university has five faculties namely: Tourism and Hospitality Management, Education, Health Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Information and Library Science. Mzuzu Technical College, which was founded in 1958 by the White Fathers, is located in Mzuzu. [9] It is home to leading high schools in the north, including Marymount Secondary School, Wukani private Secondary School, Katoto Government Secondary School, Zolozolo Community Day Secondary School Viphya Schools and Mzuzu Academy. [10]

The city also has several primary schools such as Wukani, Trust Academy, Wongani private primary school [run by MIC Catholic Sisters], Beehive and Hilltop schools.

Environment

Mzuzu is situated in wooded, hilly terrain. Miombo woodland predominates around the city. North and south of the city, the Viphya Mountains are home to montane grasslands and forests. The Viphya Plantation in the mountains south of the city is claimed to be the largest man-made forest in Africa.

The weather in Mzuzu is chilly in the cold season.

Agriculture

In the center of an agricultural region, and the area surrounding the city specializes in tea, rubber, and coffee cultivation.

Tourism

Nearby tourist attractions include the sandy beaches of Lake Malawi and water activities. Nyika National Park, Malawi's largest park, offers hiking, mountain biking, horse riding safaris and 4x4 excursions. [2] The entertainment venues at Mzuzu hotel and O Seasons formerly known as Key Lounge attract national and international artists and host other activities that popular with both tourists and the local community. Other entertainment venues include Mzuzu Golf Club, Villa Kagwentha (known for discos every Saturday nights) and the newly opened Squirrels park. There are also various recreation centers such as Lake View Lodge and the Mzuzu Sanctuary. Mzuzu Botanic Gardens is located Zolozolo. Mountain hiking can take place at the nearby Kaning'ina mountains. Gulliver Dam, which supplies water to Mzuzu City and the surrounding areas, offers hiking as well

The 1st Poulner Scout Group (UK) has set up a Scout Campsite with significant infrastructure just outside of Mzuzu called the Kavuzi Campsite. [11] [12]

Transport

The M5 highway in Mzuzu MzuzuMalawi.JPG
The M5 highway in Mzuzu

By air Mzuzu City is served by the Mzuzu Airport. In 2017, construction began on a new and bigger airport by the government in the Dunduzu area. [2]

Mzuzu is on Malawi's M1 highway, which runs the length of the country from north to south. It is the northern terminus of the M5 highway, which runs eastwards through a gap in the Viphya Mountains towards Nkhata Bay, and then south along the shore of Lake Malawi.

Sports

Football is popular sport in Mzuzu. Two teams, Moyale Barracks FC and Mzuni represent the city in the Malawi's top flight league. Mzuzu Stadium (15000 capacity) is the city's sole stadium built around 1970 using prison labor. The city has two major basketball teams, Nkhulande and the Pistons.

Notable residents

Shepherd Bushiri, founder of the Enlightened Christian Gathering, is from Mzuzu. Bushiri is also the founder of PSB Network [13] and the Prophetic Channel.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tumbuka people</span> Ethnic group in Central South-East Africa

The Tumbuka is a Bantu ethnic group found in Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. Tumbuka is classified as a part of the Bantu language family, and with origins in a geographic region between the Dwangwa River to the south, the North Rukuru River to the north, Lake Malawi to the east, and the Luangwa River. They are found in the valleys near the rivers, lake as well as the highlands of Nyika Plateau, where they are frequently referred to as Henga although this is strictly speaking the name of a subdivision.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karonga</span> Place in Northern Region, Malawi

Karonga is a township in the Karonga District in Northern Region of Malawi. Located on the western shore of Lake Nyasa, it was established as a slaving centre sometime before 1877. As of 2018 estimates, Karonga has a population of 61,609. The common and major language spoken in this district is the Tumbuka language, which is also a regional language of Northern Malawi.

Mzimba is a town in the Mzimba District of Malawi. The district is inhabited by descendants of Tumbuka and few Ngoni people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Region, Malawi</span> Region of Malawi

The Northern Region is a region of Malawi. It had a population of 2,289,780 in 2018, and covers an area of 26,931 km2, making it the smallest region both by population and area. Its capital city is Mzuzu. Starting in the north and going clockwise, the Northern Region borders on Tanzania, Lake Malawi, Malawi's Central Region, and Zambia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Region, Malawi</span> Region of Malawi

The Central Region of Malawi, population 7,523,340 (2018), covers an area of 35,592 km2. Its capital city is Lilongwe, which is also the national capital. The region has an outlet on Lake Malawi and borders neighbouring countries Zambia and Mozambique. The Chewa people make up the majority of the population today.

Tumbuka is a Bantu language which is spoken in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. It is also known as Chitumbuka or Citumbuka — the chi- prefix in front of Tumbuka means "in the manner of", and is understood in this case to mean "the language of the Tumbuka people". Tumbuka belongs to the same language group as Chewa and Sena.

Mzimba is a district in the Northern Region of Malawi. The capital is Mzimba. The district covers an area of 10,473 km.² and has a population of 940,184. It is the largest district in Malawi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ntcheu District</span> District of Malawi

Ntcheu is a district in the Central Region of Malawi. It borders with the country of Mozambique. The district headquarters is Ntcheu, known as BOMA in the local language, but is most commonly called Mphate. It is run by Yeneya, the village headman. The district covers an area of 3,424 km.² and has a population of 659,608 people according to the 2018 Malawi Population and Housing Census. The Ntcheu district lies around halfway between Malawi's majors cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe - the capital city.

Nkhata Bay is a district in the Northern Region of Malawi. The capital is Nkhata Bay. The district covers an area of 4,071 km.² and has a population of 164,761.

Rumphi is a district in the Northern Region of Malawi. The capital is Rumphi. The district covers an area of 4,769 km.² and has a population of 128,360.

The Viphya Mountains, also known as the Viphya Plateau or Viphya Highlands, are a mountain range in Malawi's Northern Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chewa people</span> Ethnic group from Southern and Central Africa

The Chewa are a Bantu ethnic group found in Malawi, Zambia and few in Mozambique. The Chewa are closely related to people in surrounding regions such as the Tumbuka and Nsenga. They are historically also related to the Bemba, with whom they share a similar origin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As with the Nsenga and Tumbuka, a small part of Chewa territory came under the influence of the Ngoni, who were of Zulu or Natal/Transvaal origin. An alternative name, often used interchangeably with Chewa, is Nyanja. Their language is called Chichewa. Internationally, the Chewa are mainly known for their masks and their secret societies, called Nyau, as well as their agricultural techniques.

Moyale Barracks Football Club is a Malawian professional football club based in Moyale, Mzuzu, currently playing in the TNM Super League, the top division of Malawian football.

Boston Jaston Soko is a professor at Mzuzu University in the French section of the Faculty of Education's department of Languages and Literature. He has taught in several universities on French language and literature. He has written for over four decades on African literature in French language as well as in English. Prof. Soko is also a chairperson of the Ngoni cultural heritage association known as Mzimba Heritage Association. He coined the name for the Ngoni Cultural Festival which is called "uMthetho". The name was approved by the Executive and His Majesty Inkosi ya Makosi M'mbelwa IV in 2004. Professor Soko's work is much praised and appreciated for contributing to the promotion of the French language in the Republic of Malawi as well as promoting Malawian literature. He "has been very active in research in African Literatures, teaching the African novel of French expression, negritude poetry, and oral literature".

Zongendawa Jere or Inkosi Ya Makhosi M'mbelwa IV was the King of the Ngoni and Tumbuka people in Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. He passed away in February 2013 at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Malawi's commercial city, Blantyre, where he was diagnosed with diabetes attack and hypertension. At his death, he was 60 years old. His son, M'Mbelwa V, inherited the crown in 2013.

Luwinga is a town north of Mzuzu city in Mzimba District, Malawi and forms part of the Mzuzu municipality. Institutions found in Luwinga include the third biggest referral hospital in Malawi, Mzuzu Central Hospital and Mzuzu University.

Masasa is a densely populated township in Northern Region, Malawi. It is located in the Northern Region of the Mzuzu.Masasa is known for its beautiful landscapes and serene environment. The area is also home to several regional parks and recreational facilities.

Mchengautuba(Tumbuka: White sands) is a residential and industrial town in Mzuzu. It is located North of Mzuzu, Northern Region, Malawi. It is a home to Mchengautuba United Team, as well as Mchengautuba FC. Chitumbuka is the predominant language spoken in the area which is also the official regional language of the Northern Region of Malawi. Nearby towns include Luwinga, Chibanja, Zolozolo, and Ching'ambo.

Chibanja is a populated township in the city of Mzuzu, Northern Region, Malawi. The town is home to Mzuzu Airport, the biggest airport in the Northern Region of international quality and third biggest in Malawi.

Vitumbiko Chisoni, best known as Pop Young, is a Malawian Afro-Pop musician and songwriter. In 2022, he won a Mzuzu Music Award as the best male artist of the year. Chisoni's most popular songs include "Collect," "Mesa," "Sole," and "Story," among others that brought him popularity and recognition national wide.

References

  1. ↑ [ permanent dead link ]
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Municipal in Malawi, Malawi Municipal, Mzuzu City Assembly welcome, Commonwealth". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  3. ↑ Thomas. "Malawi". africaguide.com. Retrieved 18 November 2006.
  4. ↑ "Malawi: Fragile Forests". Travel Africa Magazine (17). August 2001. Archived from the original on 22 August 2006.
  5. ↑ "Malawi: Regions, Major Cities, Towns & Urban Localities - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information". Citypopulation.de. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "2018 Population and Housing Census Main Report" (PDF). Malawi National Statistical Office. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  7. ↑ Lusaka, Mwayi (4 January 2023). "Curating the nation: Collections, ethnographic representations and heritage production at Museum of Malawi". Cogent Arts & Humanities. 10. doi: 10.1080/23311983.2022.2160577 . S2CID   255631526 . Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  8. ↑ "Mzuzu Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  9. ↑ "301 Moved Permanently". Archived from the original on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  10. ↑ "Homepage". mzuzuacademy.org.
  11. ↑ "Kavuzicampsite". Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  12. ↑ "1st Poulner Scout Group - Kavuzi Campsite". Archived from the original on 3 July 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  13. ↑ "PSB Network | The Mobile Network That Cares". Mypsb.co.za. Retrieved 22 November 2021.

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