Zimbabwe capital Harare's satellite city takes shape following completion of China-funded parliament building

A billboard showing a master plan of a new infrastructure development named "Cyber City" is seen at the roadside in Mount Hampden, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, on July 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)

The completion of China-funded parliament building in Zimbabwe heralds the start of a new capital city that is meant to decongest Harare.

HARARE, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has commended China for funding and constructing the country's new parliament building located in Mount Hampden on the outskirts of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, where a new capital city is being constructed.

Located at the heart of the new city which is yet to be named, the new building was constructed and fully funded by China as a gift to the southern African country through China Aid.

Mnangagwa said the completion of the parliament building heralds the start of a new capital city that is meant to decongest Harare.

"We as the people of Zimbabwe, the government of Zimbabwe and indeed myself on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe are extremely grateful to the Government of the People's Republic of China," he said.

Mnangagwa made the remarks on Wednesday during the official groundbreaking ceremony of a new infrastructure development named "Cyber City" which is near the new parliament building.

The Cyber City, which will be constructed on 2.5 million square meters of land, will see the construction of cutting-edge office spaces, high-end residential spaces, shopping malls, recreational facilities and one of the tallest towers in Africa.

The project will be funded and developed by United Arab Emirates-based diversified conglomerate Mulk International.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (Front) attends the official groundbreaking ceremony of a new infrastructure development named "Cyber City" in Mount Hampden, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, on July 20, 2022. (Xinhua/Tafara Mugwara)

"This Cyber City is envisaged to be a key feature that will bring added value to the New City at Mt. Hampden set to be developed on over 15,500 hectares of land. The anchor project for the New City, the new parliament building, has already been completed," said Mnangagwa.

Sitting on the historical Mount Hampden Hill, about 18 km northwest of Harare, the new parliament building borrows heavily from iconic Great Zimbabwe ruins from which Zimbabwe derives its name.

A woman takes a selfie in front of Zimbabwe's new parliament building on Mount Hampden Hill, Zimbabwe, on June 29, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

The imposing building covers a total area of 33,000 square meters and has two main buildings, a six-story office building and a four-story parliament building.

With the capacity to accommodate 1,000 people, the new building replaces the old colonial-era structure which has become too old and small to accommodate parliament business.

Photo taken on June 29, 2022 shows the Senate chamber in Zimbabwe's new parliament building on Mount Hampden Hill, Zimbabwe. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)

The new parliament building is the first arm of government to be located in the new city. The government also plans to put structures for two other arms of the state -- the executive and the judiciary -- in the new city.