Shamva

Shamva is a village in the province of Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. It is located in the Mazowe valley about 90 km north-east of Harare. It is an area with fertile soils hence there is high farming activity.According to the 1982 Population Census, the village had a population of 4,617. People have been living in this area before European settlers came in.The village was established in 1895 when gold was discovered in the area. It was originally known as Abercorn but was changed to avoid confusion with Abercorn in Zambia. The name Shamva is said to mean friendliness. In the First Chimerenga many of the settlers died in an attack on the village. The railway arrived in the town in 1913. It is also where many African people died in fight for the struggle of independence.

Cotton, maize, tobacco, soyabeans, tropical fruits are grown in the area. The village has a brewery, a grain depot and a cotton ginnery. Gold is mined at Shamva Mine (2 km away) and the Madziwa Mine produces gold and nickel.

Coordinates: 17°19′S, 31°33′E

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