Gweru

Brief information about the Gweru

Gweru Gweru (named Gwelo until 1982) is a city in central Zimbabwe. Located near the geographical centre of the country, it is the capital of Midlands Province. Originally an area known to the indigenous Ndebele as "The Steep Place" because of the Gweru River's high banks, in 1894 it became the site of a military outpost established by Leander Starr Jameson.

In 1914 it attained municipal status, and in 1971 it became a city. The city has a population of 141,862 as of 2013. Gweru is known for vibrant farming activities in beef cattle, crop farming, and commercial gardening of crops for the export market. It is also home to a number of colleges and universities, most prominently Midlands State University and Mkoba Teachers College.

The city was nicknamed City of Progress.