Chikuku, Zimbabwe

Chikuku
Ward
Chikuku Location in Zimbabwe
Coordinates: 19°59′S 31°52′E
Country	Zimbabwe
Province	Masvingo Province
District	Bikita District
Time zone	UTC+2 (Central Africa Time)

Chikuku is a ward in Bikita District of Masvingo Province in south-eastern Zimbabwe. Chikuku ward has a business centre with the same name. Chikuku Business centre is located along the Mutare-Masvingo Highway, approximately 118km east of Masvingo city, 173km South-West of Mutare City. It is also located in a mountainous area approximately 35km east of Nyika Growth Point and 53km west of Birchenough Bridge. Towering behind the Business Centre to the East is the misty Bikita Mountain known to be sacred. At the Chikuku Business Centre is a T-junction between the Mutare-Masvingo Highway and a gravel road which during the colonial era used to go to Umkondo (Mukondo) Copper Mine, Devuli (Devure) and Humani (Umani) Ranches, Zaka and Chiredzi. Due to this historical aspect Chikuku Business Centre was also known as Umkondo Mine Halt before Umkondo Mine was shut down in 1972 due to the international depression of copper prices. Most of the workforce at Umkondo Mine were then moved to Shackleton and Mangula Copper Mines in Mhangura and Chinhoyi. Due to this unique location, it means one can access the Save Conservancy, a great tourist spot through the gravel road passing close by Bikita Mountain. There is also the Chibvumani Ruins with Bushman (San) rock (paintings) (a hidden gem) approximately 10km east of Chikuku Business Centre. Aproximately 2km south of Chikuku Business Centre are the Chikuku Rural Clinic (in existence since the 1950's when Umkondo Mine was still operational) and St. Alphonce Chikuku School, a Catholic school. There is also a Catholic run Youth Centre at Chikuku Business Centre where youths are trained in many vocations such as carpentry, agriculture, garment making and many others.