Why Lupane remains a provincial capital in name only
by BEKEZELA NDEBELE
LUPANE, the official provincial capital of Matabeleland North, stands as one of Zimbabwe’s most striking examples of policy failure and uneven development.
Decades after being designated a provincial administrative centre, the small town still lacks basic infrastructure expected of such status: reliable water supply, a functional municipality, modern roads, industry and meaningful economic activity.
For many residents, Lupane’s stagnation is not accidental but the result of systematic neglect and flawed policies under the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) rule.
Despite its title, Lupane resembles a growth point rather than a provincial capital.
Residents rely on boreholes and seasonal water sources, while government offices operate in isolation from surrounding communities that lack piped water, sanitation and housing.
There is no fully fledged municipality capable of planning urban expansion, attracting investment or providing services.
Critics argue that declaring Lupane a capital without funding and authority was more symbolic than practical—an exercise in political optics rather than development.
Local business leaders say ZANU-PF’s economic policies have failed to create an environment conducive to investment.
Policy inconsistency, weak property rights, corruption, and centralised decision-making discourage both local and international investors.
Investors are wary of sudden regulatory changes, partisan allocation of land and resources, and lack of infrastructure such as electricity, water and roads.
As a result, Lupane has no significant industrial base, few formal jobs, and a youth population trapped in unemployment.
“The policies punish initiative,” says one Lupane-based entrepreneur. “You cannot plan long-term when rules change depending on politics.”
Similar sentiments are echoed by civil society groups in Matabeleland North, who argue that development is sacrificed to political loyalty rather than economic logic.
The irony is that Matabeleland North is rich in natural resources that could transform not only Lupane but the national economy if transparently and equitably managed.
The province hosts vast coal deposits in Hwange, methane gas in Lupane itself, gold, lithium, and other minerals.
It also lies close to major tourism assets such as Hwange National Park and the Zambezi corridor. Yet communities surrounding these resources remain poor, with little evidence that extraction benefits local people.
ZANU-PF officials and traditional leaders often paint a different picture. Government ministers and some chiefs frequently claim that development is “ongoing” and that major projects are imminent.
Groundbreaking ceremonies are held, promises are made, and blame is shifted to sanctions or funding constraints.
But residents say these assurances ring hollow.
“We hear speeches every election, but nothing changes,” says a Thulani Dube, a community activist from Lupane.
“We are told to be patient while our children have no future.”
Critics argue that genuine development requires sound policies: devolving power and budgets to local authorities, ensuring transparency in mineral revenue, investing in water infrastructure, roads and energy, and protecting investors through consistent laws.
Such reforms could turn Lupane into a functioning provincial hub—creating jobs, supporting agriculture, attracting industry and retaining skilled youth.
Instead, lack of development continues to fuel poverty, migration and frustration.
For many in Matabeleland North, Lupane’s condition is not just about one town—it is a reflection of a governance system that centralises wealth while leaving resource-rich regions to languish.
Until policy priorities change, Lupane’s title as a provincial capital will remain largely ceremonial, detached from the lived reality of its people.
