Gwanda

Gwanda is a town in Zimbabwe. It is the capital of the province of Matabeleland South, one of the 10 administrative provinces in the country. The name Gwanda derives from the Ndebele word Kwanda. Gwanda's largest and oldest suburb derives its name from that of a nearby hill known as Jahunda. Gwanda also refers to the rural district around the town. Towns and districts surrounding Gwanda include Mbalabala, West Nicholson, Filabusi, Esigodini and Matobo.LocationIt is located approximately 122km, by road, southeast of Bulawayo, the nearest large city. This location lies on the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road and railway. The town of Beitbridge, at Zimbabwe's border with the Republic of South Africa, lies approximately 220km, further southeast on Highway A-6. The coordinates of Gwanda, Zimbabwe are: 20° 56' 42.00"S, 29° 01' 30.00"E (Latitude: 20.9450; Longitude: 29.0250). Gwanda sits at an average elevation of 3284ft above sea level.OverviewGwanda was founded in 1900. The town has a provincial hospital, Gwanda Provincial Hospital, which serves as a referral centre for nearby smaller mission and district hospitals. Services provided include emergency medicine, paediatrics, maternity, eye surgery, minor orthopaedic surgery, general surgery and an expanded immunisation program. The town is the chief centre for south-western Zimbabwe's cattle district and also trades in agricultural produce. There are asbestos, chrome and gold mines around Gwanda.