Why a Zimbabwean city rejected a name that meant one who has lice

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Masvingo, a historic Zimbabwean city, was briefly renamed Nyanda in 1982. The local population quickly protested, as the new name carried an unfortunate meaning in the local language. The city soon settled on Masvingo, a Shona word for fort, reflecting its origins as a colonial outpost and its proximity to ancient ruins.

Founded in 1890 as Fort Victoria, Masvingo began as an encampment for the British South Africa Company’s Pioneer Column. It served as a strategic fortification along the route to Salisbury, now Harare. The city’s identity is deeply intertwined with the nearby Great Zimbabwe, a massive medieval stone complex that served as the heart of a trading empire between the 11th and 15th centuries. While early European explorers erroneously attributed these ruins to ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians, archaeological work by David Randall-MacIver in 1905 and Gertrude Caton-Thompson in 1929 confirmed their indigenous African origins.

Today, Masvingo is the capital of its namesake province and a residential hub for the Karanga people. The city’s landscape is defined by granite kopjes and the proximity of Lake Mutirikwi, which provides water for both the city and large-scale sugar cane irrigation. Despite its historical significance, the city has evolved into a modern cultural center, known for its vibrant theatre scene at the Charles Austin Theatre and a growing film industry that has garnered national recognition.

The city's development has been marked by both internal growth and international collaboration. Since 1990, a twinning partnership with the German town of Kernen has facilitated numerous humanitarian projects, including the distribution of medical supplies and the construction of local infrastructure. As a gateway to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Masvingo remains a critical site for understanding the intersection of colonial history and the enduring legacy of the medieval Shona civilization.

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