Nkayi District, Zimbabwe

Nkayi is a district in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe, about 100 km (62 mi) west of Kwekwe and 168 km (104 mi) northeast of Bulawayo in Nkayi communal land. It is believed that its name originates from the Tonga word "Uyinkayi" meaning "where are you going". The main language spoken is Ndebele.

It has two constituencies and has produced some of Zimbabwes liberation war heroes like Roy Reagen Yembeyembe Ndlovu of Mdengelele area. The place has a poor road network where Ntubeni bus services dominate the route. It has been divided into two constituencies south and north the south being occupied by Zanu-PF sithembiso nyoni and the north by the MDC led by Welshman Ncube. The former MP of the area was Welshman Mabhena.

Nkayi has been neglected by the ruling regime on tribal grounds. It is underdeveloped with poor water and school facilities. There are several chiefs in the area including the Sikobokobo. Shangani River, which is one of the biggest rivers in Zimbabwe, covers the area. People from Mdengelele and Malinga use it for their livestock to drink and take water for consumption.

It has one major boarding school Hlangabeza, which is near the district offices. Along its border with Gokwe, Nkayi has two schools: Tsheli primary and Tsheli high school.

There are two main primary schools near the local business centre; Dimpamiwa Primary School some 3 km (1.9 mi) along the Nkayi-Kwekwe highway and Nkayi Primary School which is also some 3 km (1.9 mi) along the Nkayi-Gwelutshena dust road. Zenka Mission Primary School is a feeder school to Mpumelelelo High School. It is run by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. In 2004 the school won the Secretary's Bell, a high achievement in the country. Plans to build a local primary school are underway and await funding.

Nkayi area has one of the best mission hospitals in the Matabeleland region Mbuma mission. A number of NGOs operate near Nkayi. Freestigma Africa Trust's Founder and Executive Director Sir Frera Washington submitted his organisation papers to the Nkayi local authority for permission to operate in the marginalised district. It has a powerful village which is Sabahwisa village under village leader Gayela and the chief is Madliwa.

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