By Correspondent
This Information was originally published by Bulawayo Memories which can be visited here.
Provided here are details on the origins of the names for various Bulawayo City suburbs in alphabetical order.
B
Barbour Fields – The suburb was named after a former Mayor, H. R. Barbour. A mayor who during the colonial era, was greatly interested in the welfare of the indigenous people.
Barham Green – The suburb was named after two people. The first was a former Bulawayo City Councillor [who later became an Alderman] Mrs. M. E. Barham, M.B.E. and the other was Rev. Rufus Green. The two people were critical in the establishment of this suburb. During the colonial Rhodesia era, the suburb was designated for the Coloured Community.
Beacon Hill – Also known as Beryl Drive, reference is made to fact that it is the High Point of the suburbs and possess the areas with the highest marking beacon at its summit.
Belmont Industrial area – The area was named after a former Bulawayo City Engineer, Mr. Kinmont.
Bellevue – The suburb was named after estate name.
Bradfield – The suburb was named after Mr Edwin Eugene Bradfield, a pioneer.
Burnside – This area used used to be a portion of former town Council area, used be part of Matsheumhlope Farms. Name is derived from the reference to a river.
C
Cement – This was named after the surrounding industrial area, responsible for the making of Cement.
E
Entumbane – This is place where King Mzilikazi was buried.
F
Famona – The suburb was named after, Famona, one of the daughters of King Lobengula of the Matebele kingdom.
Fortunes Gate (Including Mtaba Moya) – The suburb name comes from the original property name, and gates are those of the original Market Building.
Four Winds – The suburb name comes from the original property name, the first house was on top of a hill.
G
Glengarry – The suburb was named after its estate name.
Glenville (Including Richmond South) – The suburb was named after its estate name.
Greenhill – The suburb name comes from the reference to scenery and topography.
Gwabalanda – Named after one of Ndebele chiefs, Gwabalanda Mathe
H
Hillcrest – The suburb name comes from the reference to topography.
Hillside – The suburb name comes from the reference to topography.
Hillside South – The suburb name comes from the reference to position of Hillside.
K
Kelvin (Industrial area, includes North East and West) – The area was named in reference to a suburb of Glasgow
Kenilworth – The suburb was named after its estate name.
Kumalo – The suburb was named after the Royal Clan of the Matabele
Kumalo North – Reference to the position of Kumalo Suburb
L
Lakeside – Lakeside was/is the stretch of water at the junction of the Old Essexvale Road and the road to the suburb of Waterford, and then onto Hope Fountain Mission
Lobengula – Named after the second Matabele King, Lobengula
Lobenvale – The suburb name is derived from a combination of King Lobengula’s name and Umguza Valley
Lochview – The suburb name is in reference to Lakeside Dam
Luveve – named after chief Luveve
M
Mabutweni – The suburb name means “where the soldiers are”, the name was given in reference to a bachelor quarters.
Magwegwe – The suburb name is named after Magwegwe, who was one of the significant people in King Lobengula’s royal Bulawayo town.
Makokoba – The suburb got its name from the actions of Mr. Fallon, who used walk around with a stick. The name comes from the word “umakhokhoba” which was the locals referred to Fallon as, meaning “the little old man who walks with a stick” . The word actually describes the noise of the stick hitting the ground ko-ko-ko or the doors.
Mahatshula – Mahatshula is named after one of the Ndebele Indunas. This induna’s name was Mahatshula Ndiweni
Malindela – The suburb was named after the mother of Faluta, who was the mother of Lobengula i.e. named after Lobengula’s maternal grandmother.
Manningdale – Named after of the developer suburb
Matsheumhlope – The name comes from the association with river (“White Stones”). White stones in Ndebele or Zulu language are amatshe amhlope.
Matshobana – The suburb was named after Matshobana, who was a chief of the Khumalo clan and more significantly he was the father of Mzilikazi, the founder of the Ndebele Kingdom.
Montrose – The suburb was named by the Estate Developers and Street names are of many Cotswold Villages and towns.
Montgomery – named after General Montgomery a decorated British Army commander
Mpopoma – The name comes from a descriptive Ndebele name for the area, which was derived from the sound the Mpopoma river makes when flowing.
Mzilikazi – Suburb was named after the first and founder Matebele King, Mzilikazi
N
Newton West – Reference to position (Newton).
Nguboyenja – Named after Lobengula’s son and heir.
Njube – Named after one of Lobengula’s sons
Nkulumane – One of the sons of King Mzilikazi and heir, founder of the Matebele kingdom.
North End – Reference to direction of Suburb
Northvale – Former Town Council area, reference to position and (Umguza) Valley
North Trenance – Reference to position relative to that of Trenance.
O
Orange Grove – Named after Major Cecil Paddon, O.B.E., (Pioneer).
P
Parklands – Estate Name. Park Lands Estate A (Portion of original grant to Dominican Sisters).
Pelandaba – “The matter is concluded”, a reference to the successful conclusion to the struggle for security.
Pumula – Means “A Resting Place” reference to the fact that many have built homes there to retire to.
Q
Queens Park – A reference to the Queen and the three main roads – Victoria Alexandra and Elizabeth
R
Rangemore – Suburb adopted the original estate name.
Raylton – Suburb adopted the original estate name.
Riverside – Derived from the original Estate name, which was in reference to the (Little Umguza) River
Romney Park – The suburb was named after George Romney, a British Painter
S
Sauerstown – Named after Dr. Han Sauer, original owner of the land
Selbourne Park –
Sizinda – Battle regiment of King Mzilikazi of the Matabele
Steeldale – Composite name referring to industry.
Suburbs – This was the first suburb and retained that name.
Southwold – The suburb was named by the Estate Developers and Street names are of many Cotswold Villages and towns.
Sunninghill – After British Royal residence (given to present Queen at time of marriage).
Sunnyside – Chosen from list of suggested names
T
Tegela – The name is derived from a Ndebele word meaning “to visit”.
Thorngrove – Suburb name came from the large number of Mimosa (Thorn) trees in the area.
Trenance – Estate name
Tshabalala – The “isibongo” or praise name for Lobengula’s mother, Faluta, who was of Swazi extraction.
U
Umguza Estate – Named after the Umguza River which runs through it
Upper Rangemore – Name in reference to Rangemore suburb.
W
Waterford – Estate name
Westgate –
West Somerton –
Willsgrove –
Windsor Park – Named after English town or Castle grounds
Woodlands – Chosen from a list of suggested names
Woodville – Retained the old Estate Name.
