Brunapeg


Brunapeg is a settlement in the Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe. It is one of the urban centres in Mangwe District, one of the seven administrative districts in the province.

Location

Brunapeg is located in the extreme south west of Zimbabwe, close to the international border with Botswana. The town is approximately, by road, southeast of Plumtree, the nearest large town.
Brunapeg is approximately, by road, southwest of Bulawayo, the nearest large city. The geographical coordinates of Brunapeg are: 21°09'45.0"S, 28°01'40.0"E. The town sits at an average elevation of above mean sea level.

Overview

The town hosts St Annes Roman Catholic Mission. The mission owns and operates St Annes Mission Hospital. The mission was established in 1954. The mission also runs an affiliated nursing school, which graduates approximately 25 nurses every year. The mission also owns and runs a primary school.

Economy

Businesses in the town include gas stations, grocery stores, hardware shops, restaurants, a food distribution center and a post office. The local vegetation supports the growth of  Gonimbrasia belina worms. The worms are locally known as Macimbi or Mahonja. They are dark grey and black in color, with a protruding spine, growing up to in length. The worm feeds on mopane tree leaves, although the diet is not restricted to this tree. The worms are exported to Botswana and some are transported to the city of Bulawayo for distribution throughout Zimbabwe. They are a human food delicacy in most countries of Southern Africa.

Transport

The closest airport is Francistown International Airport, in Francistown, Botswana, approximately, by road, west of Brunapeg.

Politics

Present-day Brunapeg as a singular entity can be seen as fairly liberal, in the 2004 parliamentary election. Fifty eight percent voted for the Movement for Democratic Change. Edward Tshotsho Moyo Mkhosi received 10,145 votes; Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo received 5,723 votes. However the MDC lost the largely boycotted Senate election of 2005.

Neighborhoods

Brunapeg has many vibrant neighborhoods. Major villages around the town centre include: 1. Phathisani 2. Newline and 3. Oldline. These neighborhoods are administratively classified as Ward 7 in the Mangwe Rural District Council, under whose jurisdiction Brunapeg lies.

Demographics

Most people in the area are of Kalanga descent, and there is a huge number of Ndebele and because of its proximity with Botswana there are also Motswana people. The Shona are a minority. There is a sizeable population of labor immigrants from neighboring countries, including South Africa, Botswana, Malawi and Zambia.