Gwayi-Shangani
Gwayi-Shangani
Gwayi-Shangani Show map of Zimbabwe Gwayi-Shangani Show map of Africa
Coordinates	18°30′26″S 27°11′22″E / 18.50722°S 27.18944°E / -18.50722; 27.18944
Type	(project) reservoir
Catchment area	39,076 km2 (15,087 sq mi)
Basin countries	Zimbabwe
Max. depth	70 m (230 ft)
Water volume	634 million cubic metres (514,000 acre⋅ft)
Surface elevation	817 m (2,680 ft)

The Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (MZWP) is an ambitious project being undertaken in the arid Matabeleland North province of Zimbabwe.The project seeks to end the perennial water shortages bedevilling Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo by bringing water from the mighty Zambezi river to the city.

The Project

The project can be classified as a Major Project. It is expected to cost US$600 million which is a huge investment by African standards. The project will consist of three phases as follows:

• Phase One: Gwayi-Shangani Dam
• Phase Two: Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Bulawayo Pipeline
• Phase Three: Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Zambezi River Pipelne

Phase One: Gwayi-Shangani Dam

The Gwayi-Shangani dam is the first phase of the MZWP and is the core of the project. Commenced in September 2004 it is expected to provide a reservoir for this project. The dam will be located about 6 km downstream of the confluence of the Gwayi River and Shangani River.

Phase Two: Gwayi-Shangani Dam to Bulawayo Pipeline

The envisaged pipeline will be 260km. Construction of the pipeline is scheduled to be completed in 2022. In April 2021, the Government of Zimbabwe floated a tender for the construction of the pipeline.

References

Further reading

• "Government floats Shangani Pipeline Tender"The Sunday Mail
• "Mugabe to sign US$600m Zambezi Water Project deal" NewZimbabwe.com
• "Chefs in fresh land grab orgy in Mat North" Financial Gazette
• "Water conservation - Bulawayo" Sokwanele
• "Water and the Potential for Resource Conflicts in Southern Africa" Archived 2008-07-25 at the Wayback Machine