Mzuzu is the capital of Malawi's Northern Region and is the third largest city by population in Malawi. The city has 221,272 residents and 20,000 commuters (Mzuzu University students) with about 1.7 million people in its metropolitan area.[2] It is situated in the Mzimba District. Mzuzu lies in a gap in the Viphya Mountains, and the agricultural region surrounding the city specializes in tea, rubber and coffee cultivation.[3] The Viphya Plantation south of the city is the largest man-made forest in Africa, and the Lunyangwa and Kaning'ina forest preserves are east of the city.[4]
According to the 2018 census, the Tumbuka people are the largest ethnic group in the city, composing 51.71% of the population. The largest minority ethnic group is the Chewa, making up 13.51% of the population. Other minor ethnic groups include the Ngoni (8.09% of the population), Tonga (7.36%), Nkhonde (4.08%), Lambya (3.75%), Yao (3.59%), Lomwe (3.54%), Sukwa (1.07%), Sena (0.66%), Mang'anja (0.38%), and Nyanja (0.28%). Additional ethnic groups constitute 2% of the population.[6]
The name comes from a mispronunciation of the word 'Vizuzu' by the white settlers. Vizuzu are plants that grow along the Lunyangwa River. These plants were spotted near the present Mzuzu Government Secondary School, also known as Area 1A where the tung planters settled.
The city was developed around the Commonwealth Development Corporation's Tung Oil Estate in 1947 and received city status in 1985.
Culture
The culture of the city is an amalgam of other cultures of the northern region. Tumbuka is widely spoken in Mzuzu but other languages such as Chewa, Tonga, Swahili, Ngonde are also spoken. Mzuzu is also home to a museum, opened in 1986, showcasing artifacts from various cultures in the northern region.[7] Popular foods include sima (either made from maize, locally called sima ya ngoma, or made from cassava, locally called sima ya mayagho), rice, locally called mpunga, and batala fish (a bottle-nosed mormyrid, Mormyrus longirostris). Batala comes from the nearby Lake Malawi waters in Nkhata Bay. Other common foods include: maize, bananas, plantains, cocoa, cassava and sweet potatoes.
Health
Mzuzu City is home to the Mzuzu Central Hospital, one of four hospitals in the country. The city is also serviced by the Mapale Health Center located at the city centre next to the city's main shopping mall, Shoprite. There are also several CHAM hospitals such as St. Johns, St. John of God Mental Hospital, and Nkhorongo SDA Clinic. The city also has private clinics such as Katoto MASM MEDI Clinic and Mumbwe, Kandindindi Evergreen. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical manufacturing company Kentam Products Limited is based in Mzuzu.
The commercial hub of the region has coffee, timber, fruit, milk and honey production.[2] Manufacturing includes medication, cosmetics and timber. Through Mzuzu University, the city has a skilled labor force.[2] Mzuzu has arable land but is still developing its electricity industry towards a sufficient and reliable state. A 2022 case study on Mzuzu funded by the European Union outlined areas of strength and possibilities for economic growth.[9] Small businesses provide telecommunication services, internet cafes, and multipurpose stores. National chains include Chipiku, Peoples Trading, and A.C Opticals. The city is the home base of national companies Mzuzu Coffee, Kentam Products Limited, Mzupaso Paints Limited and Northern Life magazine. Mzuzu has two major markets, including Taifa Market, which sells fruits, clothes, cellphones, shoes and other products.
Education
The city is home to Mzuzu University, founded in 1999. The university has five faculties namely: Tourism and Hospitality Management, Education, Health Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Information and Library Science. Mzuzu Technical College, which was founded in 1958 by the White Fathers, is located in Mzuzu.[10] It is home to leading high schools in the north, including Marymount Secondary School, Wukani private Secondary School, Mzuzu Government Secondary School, Katoto Secondary School, Zolozolo Community Day Secondary School Viphya Schools and Mzuzu Academy.[11]
The city also has several primary schools, including Wukani, Trust Academy, Wongani private primary school (run by MIC Catholic Sisters), Beehive and Hilltop schools.
Environment
Mzuzu is situated in wooded, hilly terrain. Miombo woodland predominates around the city. North and south of the city, the Viphya Mountains are home to montane grasslands and forests. The Viphya Plantation in the mountains south of the city is claimed to be the largest man-made forest in Africa.
The weather in Mzuzu is chilly in the cold season.
Agriculture
The center agricultural region and the area surrounding the city specializes in tea, rubber, and coffee cultivation.
Lake Malawi and Nyika National Park, Malawi's largest park, are tourist destinations.[2] Entertainment venues include the Mzuzu hotel and O Seasons, formerly known as Key Lounge. Other entertainment venues include Mzuzu Golf Club, Villa Kagwentha (which hosts discos on Saturday nights) and the Squirrels Park. There are also recreation centers such as Lake View Lodge and the Mzuzu Sanctuary. Mzuzu Botanic Gardens is located Zolozolo. Mountain hiking can take place at the nearby Kaning'ina mountains. Gulliver Dam, which supplies water to Mzuzu City and the surrounding areas, offers hiking as well.
The 1st Poulner Scout Group (UK) maintains a Scout Campsite just outside of Mzuzu called the Kavuzi Campsite.[12][13]
Mzuzu City is served by the Mzuzu Airport. In June 2015, Malawi Ministry of Public Works and Transport announced plans to develop a new airport, but a 2022 update suggested that building has not yet begun.[14]
Mzuzu is on Malawi's M1 highway, which runs the length of the country from north to south. It is the northern terminus of the M5 highway, which runs eastwards through a gap in the Viphya Mountains towards Nkhata Bay, and then south along the shore of Lake Malawi.
Sports
Football is a popular sport in Mzuzu. Two teams, Moyale Barracks FC and Mzuni represent the city in the Malawi's top-flight league. Mzuzu Stadium (maximum 15,000 capacity) is the city's sole stadium, built around 1970 by prison labor. The city has two major basketball teams, Nkhulande and the Pistons.
