Zvishavane was formally known as Shabani, a Europeanisation of the Shona original. In 1916 the Bechuanaland Exploration Company began pegging of the Shabani area as the demand for asbestos was increasing due to the requirements of the war.
The town grew around asebestos which is still mined there today. In the early days travel to and from the town was very difficult it was only served by a rudimentary track that suffered much use as the asbestos was shipped out of the area.
We have yet to establish origins of the local name, do you know where ‘Zvishavane’ came from? Colonial myth points to a local leader by the name of Shobanni, who was later executed for his role in the 1893 rebellion. Do you know more? Tell us here.
Do you have an introduction for the Old Magwegwe pages? You can Click here to add your introduction to these pages and also send a picture of Old Magwegwe to be displayed on this page. What do you remember about Old Magwegwe? Use the links further down this page to add your memories or read memories posted by other members.
Registered at Zvishavane
Given below is a list of members registered at Old Magwegwe by joining year
