Greendale

In 1892, a German engineer named George Haupt arrived in what is now Greendale. He received a Certificate of Occupation, and Greendale Farm was officially transferred to him and his business partner, Henry Spreaker. Haupt, originally from the Rhine Valley, was among the first to follow the occupation forces into the country. Greendale, an affluent suburb in eastern Harare, Zimbabwe, began its life as this farm. It’s fascinating to consider that this bustling suburb, known for its residents of Shona and Indian descent, started with a single German immigrant. The origin of the name “Greendale” remains a mystery. However, the year 1890 saw exceptionally high rainfall in the area. Father Hartmann, a local figure, recorded an astounding 63 inches of rain that year. This was almost double the average rainfall of 850mm, a record that stood until the 2008-2009 rain season. Perhaps the lush greenery resulting from this deluge inspired the name. By the early 1900s, Greendale was annexed to the city of Harare and designated for residential development. The farm transitioned to Sir Harry Waechter in 1921. Later, in 1938, it became the property of Greendale Suburban Estates Limited. From its humble beginnings as a farm owned by a German immigrant, Greendale evolved into the thriving suburb we see today.