Sightseeing in Harare
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Parliament of Zimbabwe
Parliament is housed in Parliament Buildings between Nelson Mandela and Union Avenues along Third Street. Parliament consists of one house called the Parliament of Zimbabwe. It is made up of 150 members as follows: - 120 elected on the common voters' roll, 10 chiefs and 8 provincial governors. The Attorney General sits in parliament as an ex-officio member. The present building was originally erected as a hotel in 1895, but became the seat of the legislature four years later and has remained this ever since.There are two types of visit to the Parliament of Zimbabwe. Firstly, there is the guided tour whereby visitors are shown around the building. They are given a talk on how Parliament operates. Secondly, members of the public may observe Parliament in session. Requests for either type of a group visit may be addressed to the attention of THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE, P. O. BOX 8055, CAUSEWAY, HARARE. Telephone 700181 / 729722 / 795147.In cases of important events such as Budget Day and the Vice-President and Senior Minister's Question Time, the galleries are usually full. Entry to the Speaker's galleries is by prior booking.
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Civic Centre
South of the city centre lies the Civic Centre, which is still being developed. It includes the Magistrate's Court, the Rowan Martin Building, which contains municipal offices, the City Library and Museum. The Harare Sheraton Hotel and Conference Centre and the Polytechnic are near by, and so are the Agricultural Showgrounds, the National Sports Centre and the Courtauld Concert Hall.
University of Zimbabwe
Set in the northern suburb of Mount Pleasant, the University is multi-racial and currently has approximately 10000 students in nine faculties – Agriculture, Art, Commerce, Law, Education, Engineering, Medicine, Science, Social Studies and Veterinary Science. The campus covers 180 hectares.
The University has strong links with the city and the public are frequently invited to lectures given in the different lecture theatres that are on campus.
Visiting academics should contact the Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kuimba, or the Information Office on Harare telephone 303211 ext. 1210.
National Archives, Borrowdale Road
The National Archives was founded by an act of Parliament in 1935. It is the storehouse of the Nation's History. The varied collections of the National Archives are of interest to students and members of the public wishing to absorb something of the country's past. It is open daily during the week and till noon on Saturdays. Admission is free, and among the varied sections of interest are a well stocked library and a comprehensive photographic department. HOURS OF OPENING: Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.00 p.m. and Saturdays 8.00 am to noon. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
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The Kopje
The city landmark is a picturesque point from which to view the city. A hill in the southwest of the city, reached from Robert Mugabe road or Rotten Row, from the summit of which there are fine views of Harare and the surrounding countryside. A toposcope indicates the direction and distances of various points of interest. The Kopje, originally a landmark that was made a memorial to the pioneers of the city at the end of the last century, has been well maintained by the present City Council, and features on many guided tours of Harare. The Eternal Flame of Independence was lit at the summit on April 18th 1980 to commemorate the birth of Zimbabwe.
National Botanic Gardens
Fifth Street Extension and the City Limits. The display is 58 hectares of all the major indigenous vegetation types plus some interesting exotic species. Botanical experts at the National Herbarium can be consulted by appointment.
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National Gallery
Near the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza on Julius Nyerere Crescent. Features a permanent national collection of African and European Art and a changing programme of other exhibitions. There is a popular Sales Gallery and B.A.T Student Workshop. A demonstration, guided tours, films and lectures are also arranged.
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The Museum
The Museum exhibits life like displays of the history of man and animals in Mashonaland, the highveld province in which the city lies, and it is contemporary in it's approach to it's subject as the giant sculptures forming parts of it's facade. Open daily from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Including every Saturday and Sunday.
Harare City Library
The main Harare City library is at the Civic Centre (telephone 751834/5). Opening hours is 9:00a.m. To 5:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 9:00a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays. There are lending facilities (on payment of subscriptions) for adults and children, a reading room and comprehensive reference library. There are branch libraries in Greendale, Highlands, Hatfield, Mount Pleasant and Mabelreign.
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