Business Reporter
WESTPROP Holdings CEO, Ken Sharpe Monday said the forthcoming Chivhu Ecocity Project must also be named the Lord’s City after acknowledging the overwhelming grace his company has encountered in implementing its projects.
Chivhu Eco City is a massive new 5,000-hectare luxury gated community and nature lifestyle estate being developed in Chivhu by WestProp Holdings.
The project mixes modern city living with nature. It features a private game reserve right next to the houses. Plots of land (stands) are currently selling in the early phases for US$24,000. This makes it WestProp’s first major mega-project outside of Harare.
Speaking shortly after breaking the ground on the site, Sharpe said the place must also be named the Lord’s City.
“I once went to a city in Indonesia, near Jakarta, a friend of mine started that city. It’s called Sentul City, and he named it God City. So maybe we should name this, yes, I can see Echivo Eco City, but I think we need to call it the Lord City, as a nickname.
“We should dedicate from today this prayer that we’ve said, we should dedicate this land to the Lord. May He be glorified, may His light be seen. May others come here and be astounded of what has been achieved, not because of what we’ve done, because we can do nothing,” he said.
Sharpe said it is impossible to do anything without the Lord underscoring that with Him, all things can be accomplished.
He reminded the gathering of the need to discharge their duties wholeheartedly, knowing that ultimately, they are answerable to God.
“I declare that. And over time, we’ll see the results that come from the city. People will come here from all over Zimbabwe. From all over the world, they’ll come here to see the City. So let’s be proud of this City. WestProp has not done anything yet that we’re not proud of,” he said.
About Chivhu EcoCity
The entire project covers 5,000 hectares of land and is built to house about 80,000 residents. A massive 2,000-hectare area inside the estate is being set aside for a game reserve. It will be stocked with animals, including the Big Five, for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
Economic activity in and around Chivhu has also accelerated in recent years. The nearby Dinson-owned Manhize iron and steel plant, one of Zimbabwe’s most significant industrial investments in a generation, is drawing workers, suppliers and service providers to the area.
Alluvial gold mining activity in surrounding districts has added another layer of local demand. WestProp plans to develop its eco city site approximately 8 kilometres outside the main town along the road toward Dinson, on land opposite the well-known Denise Kitchen. The site previously housed Tangenhamo, a tourist destination that attracted international visitors at its peak, and Sharpe has indicated plans to revive elements of that tourism legacy.
