Chahwanda Stadium Debuts as Zimbabwe’s PPP Sports Infra Milestone

This International Women's Day witnessed the first-ever inaugural match at the Chahwanda Stadium located in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe, after its completion. The high-profile match was held between Hardrock FC and Scotland FC, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

The second republic’s model of inclusive development was instantiated in the form of this stadium, for it has emerged as an ideal example of the significance of private funding in the arena of sports infrastructure.

Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anselem Sanyatwe, visited the facility and appreciated the scale of the project along with the quality of workmanship. “This is massive… Mr Chahwanda and the partners are really implementing the call… that the provision of sporting facilities is not only left to the government… This is impressive,” he said.

The 15000-seater ambitious project is the brainchild of Shepherd Chahwanda and Prophet Walter Magaya. The complex has been built with the aim of conducting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches, CAF Confederation Cup, and CAF Champions League preliminary rounds.

The facility features a clubhouse and secondary B arena, along with modernised changing rooms complemented with eight-seater toilets. Accentuating details about the project includes a presidential suite and a ZIFA house.

Other projects, like the national stadium in Mt Hampden, Harare, built to host football and rugby matches, are stellar examples of the importance of the PPP model to be used in the field of sports infrastructure development. With South African countries Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania like agreeing to host the Africa Cup of Nations, it is relieving to see other South African countries pick up pace too.