Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, architecturally reflects its colonial past when it was then called Salisbury, with grand buildings like the National Art Gallery and Parliament House being testaments of the past British rule.

AWARD-WINNING Zimdancehall chanter Killer T aptly captured Harare central business district in his chartbusting song Masuspect whose lyrics partly go: “Vapfanha vacho vanobhosha masuspect.  Havana basa unoseenza kugovernment, vanongorova nechidhura, havatairise face (The guys just con everyone.  They don’t care even if one works for the government).”

Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, architecturally reflects its colonial past when it was then called Salisbury, with grand buildings like the National Art Gallery and Parliament House being testaments of the past British rule.

The city hums with the energy of a modern city, boasting a diverse population, a thriving commerce sector and a multitude of cultural offerings. The city has faced economic and political challenges, but its people are known for their resilience and warmth, yet, in the street lingo Kungwavhangwavha (hustling), the majority of the city dwellers struggle to get a decent meal on the table.

Harare’s street art and music scene often reflect this spirit of hustling.

However, there is a dark underbelly to the hustling with such popular areas as Copacabana, Gulf complex and former Zimex…