| Mzimba | |
| Settlement Type: | District |
| Pushpin Map: | Malawi |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Malawi |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Northern Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Type3: | Capital |
| Subdivision Name3: | Mzimba |
| Subdivision Type4: | Main Place |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Established Date: | 1908 |
| Government Type: | Unitary presidential republic |
| Leader Title: | Councillor |
| Area Total Km2: | 10,473 |
| Population Total: | 1,017,701[1] |
| Population As Of: | 2023[2] |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Demographics Type1: | Racial makeup (2023) |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Black African |
| Demographics1 Info1: | 94.1% |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Asian |
| Demographics1 Info2: | 2.6% |
| Demographics1 Title3: | Mixed |
| Demographics1 Info3: | 1.9% |
| Demographics1 Title4: | White |
| Demographics1 Info4: | 1.3% |
| Demographics1 Title5: | Other |
| Demographics1 Info5: | 0.1% |
| Demographics Type2: | First languages (2018) |
| Demographics2 Title1: | Chitumbuka |
| Demographics2 Info1: | 93.2% |
| Demographics2 Title2: | Chichewa |
| Demographics2 Info2: | 2.8% |
| Demographics2 Title3: | Yao |
| Demographics2 Info3: | 1.5% |
| Demographics2 Title4: | Lomwe |
| Demographics2 Info4: | 1.1% |
| Demographics2 Title5: | English |
| Demographics2 Info5: | 0.2% |
| Demographics2 Title6: | Other |
| Demographics2 Info6: | 1.1% |
| Timezone1: | CAT |
| Utc Offset1: | +2 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code (street) |
| Postal2 Code Type: | PO box |
| Area Code Type: | +265 |
| Iso 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.
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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
Since 2009, there are twelve National Assembly constituencies in Mzimba:
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.
Mzimba's economy is diverse and growing, with various sectors contributing to its development.
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.
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.
Mzimba has deposits of minerals such as uranium, coal, bauxite and graphite, as well as granite.
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).
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.
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.
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]