Mzimba District

Mzimba
Mzimba
District
	Mzuzu Shoprite Centre Opposite Katoto Filling Station in Mzimba District
	Mzimba
	Coordinates: 11°30′S 33°30′E / 11.500°S 33.500°E
Country	Malawi
Region	Northern Region
Capital	Mzimba
Established	1908
Government
• Type	Unitary presidential republic
Area
• Total	10,473 km2 (4,044 sq mi)
Population (2023)
• Total	1,017,701
Racial makeup (2023)
• Black African	94.1%
• Asian	2.6%
• Mixed	1.9%
• White	1.3%
• Other	0.1%
First languages (2018)
• Chitumbuka	93.2%
• Chichewa	2.8%
• Yao	1.5%
• Lomwe	1.1%
• English	0.2%
• Other	1.1%
Time zone	UTC+2 (CAT)
ISO 3166 code	MW-MZ

Mzimba is a district in the Northern Region of Malawi. The capital is Mzimba and the biggest town is Mzuzu, which is also the administrative headquarters of the Northern Region. The district covers an area of 10,473 km² and has a population of 1,017,701 (2023).^[3] It is the largest district in Malawi. The district is inhabited by descendants of Tumbuka and few Ngoni people who also speak Tumbuka as the Ngoni language is extinct. Tumbuka is the predominant language spoken in the district.^[3]

History

Pre-colonial era

In the late 15th century, the Zwangendaba Ngonis that fled from South Africa settled in northern Malawi. However, once the Zwangendaba head of the family died, his sons resettled to what is now the Mzimba District and seven of his descendants still rule.^[4] The current king of the district is King Mmbelwa V.^[5]^[6]

Establishment

The district was established in 1908 by the British colonial administration as a key administrative center. Prior to its establishment, the region was ruled by Inkosi Chimtunga, the leader of the Ngoni people, from 1896 to 1915. Chimtunga resisted British efforts to recruit the Mzimba people into the British Army during World War I and was subsequently deposed in 1915. The British colonial administration solidified their control over the region, establishing Mzimba as a major administrative center. However, the town of Mzimba began to decline in importance in the 1940s, and the administrative center was eventually moved to Mzuzu. In 2008, the Centenary Celebrations of the establishment of Mzimba district were held at Hora Mountain in Mzimba district in Malawi.

Call for district split

In 2016, there were calls to split the district into three, but the head ruler was not in favor of it.^[7] The reasons behind for the call were its geographical size as it is the largest district in Malawi, covering an area of 10,473 km2. Some residents felt that the district was too large and difficult to manage effectively. The other reason for the call of split was its population growth as district's population had grown significantly, leading to increased demands for services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Residents and other authorities felt that splitting the district would allow for more efficient delivery of the services. The other reason was the district's political representation as some residents felt that the district's large size and population meant that certain areas were not receiving adequate political representation.^[7]

The call to split the district was led by several traditional leaders and kings, including Chief Mzukuzuku and Chief Mtwalo, who argued that the district was too large and difficult to manage. The chiefs and kings proposed that the district be split into three smaller districts which were to be Mzimba North, Mzimba Central, and Mzimba South. However, the call to split the district was not fully supported by everyone as some natives and stakeholders, including the district's Member of Parliament, argued that about splitting as it would lead to unnecessary administrative costs and duplication of services. In the end, the proposal to split the district into three separate districts was not implemented. The Malawi government decided not to proceed with the split, citing concerns about the potential costs and logistical challenges that could be involved.^[7]

The final decision was made by the Malawi government, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including traditional leaders, natives, and the district's Member of Parliament. The government decided to maintain the status quo and keep the district intact, with a commitment to improving service delivery and representation in the district.^[7]

Geography

The district's diverse landscape features the Viphya Mountains that stretch across its southern and eastern regions, while the central area is occupied by the Mzimba Plain. The South Rukuru River and its tributaries flow through the plain, draining into the nearby basin. The district's western border shares a boundary with Zambia, marked by a low divide separating the South Rukuru basin from the Luangwa River basin.^[8]

Government

Since 2009, there are twelve National Assembly constituencies in Mzimba:^[8]

Divisions

The district is divided into 13 sub-divisions, each with its characteristics. These include SC Jaravikuba Munthali, Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve, TA Mpherembe, TA Mtwalo, Mzuzu City, TA Chindi, SC Kampingo Sibande, Mzimba Boma, TA M'Mbelwa, TA Mzikubola, TA Mzukuzuku, SC Khosolo Gwaza Jere, and TA Mabulabo.^[8]

Economy

Mzimba's economy is diverse and growing, with various sectors contributing to its development.

Agriculture

The mainstay of Mzimba's economy is agriculture that employs most of the population. Key crops implemented in the area include tobacco (main cash crop), maize, groundnuts, and beans. Other crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, and vegetables are planted in the area.

Forestry

The district has significant forest reserves, with timber production and wood processing contributing to the economy. One of its forest reserves include Chikangawa Forest Reserve.

Mining

Mzimba has deposits of minerals such as uranium, coal, bauxite and graphite, as well as granite.

Manufacturing

The district has many small-scale industries such as food processing with services of tobacco curing, oil seed crushing. Others include textiles companies that gin cotton, as well as garment production including wood products (such as furniture, carpentry).

Tourism

Mzimba's natural attractions include the Viphya Mountains and Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve, among others that offer opportunities for eco-tourism, wildlife conservation and cultural tourism.^[3]

Demographics

At the time of the 2018 Census of Malawi, the distribution of the population of Mzimba District by ethnic group was as follows: 78.3% Tumbuka, 9.1% Chewa, 6.3% Ngoni, 1.4% Lomwe, 1.1% Yao, 1.0% Tonga, 0.9% Sukwa, 0.4% Lambya, 0.3% Nkhonde, 0.1% Sena, 0.1% Mang'anja, 0.1% Nyanja and 0.8% others.

Cities in Mzimba District

Mzimba (capital)
Mzuzu
Ekwendeni

Culture

The district consists of people of Tumbuka with their Cultural Dance (Vimbuza) origin. And also, descendants of Ngoni people from South Africa with their Cultural Dance (Ingoma). However, the main language spoken is chiTumbuka. The district headquarters is at Mzimba. It is also the centre of netball in Malawi, Malawi's most successful sport. Most of the players in the national team, including international star Mwayi Kumwenda were born and grew up in Mzimba.^[9]

Famous people

Mwayi Kumwenda (1989–), a netball player for the Malawi national team.
Goodall Gondwe, former Minister of Finance of Malawi
Rose Chibambo, Malawian politician
Jane Chimaliro, a netball player for the Malawi national team.
Tamika Mkandawire, former professional footballer
Brighton Munthali, a Malawian professional footballer
Towera Vinkhumbo, a netball player for the Malawi national team
Bridget Kumwenda, a netball player for the Malawi national team

Incidents

On 10 June 2024, a Malawian Defence Force Dornier 228 carrying Vice-President of Malawi Saulos Chilima, former First Lady Patricia Shanil Muluzi, and seven other occupants, crashed in Chikangawa Forest Reserve in Nkhata Bay District; all on board died in Malawi's deadliest aviation accident.

At the time of the crash, the aircraft and its passengers were en route from Lilongwe to Mzuzu Airport in the Northern Region to attend a funeral.^[10]^[11]