Mbare residents have welcomed the planned facelift of Matapi Flats under the ED AID1 initiative, describing the refurbishment of the 14 three-storey blocks as a long-awaited intervention that will restore dignity and improve living conditions in one of Harare’s most densely populated residential areas.
The refurbishment project is expected to upgrade key infrastructure, including water and sewer systems, improve sanitation, and restore habitable conditions in the flats, which have for years suffered from deteriorating services and overcrowding.
For many families, the announcement has been received as a turning point that could significantly improve quality of life after years of challenges linked to blocked sewers and unreliable water supply.
Mbare resident Rudo Mavhima said the project had brought relief and renewed optimism within the community.
“We have suffered for years with blocked sewers and unreliable water supply. If this project is completed as planned, it will change our lives. We are really grateful because it shows that our situation is finally being considered,” she said.
Another resident, Tapiwa Dube, said the renovations would help restore dignity and improve the image of the area.
“Matapi Flats have been in a bad state for a long time, and living here has been difficult. Seeing renovation work starting gives us hope. It will make a big difference for everyone living here,” he said.
The project is also expected to contribute to broader urban renewal efforts in Harare, with improved infrastructure seen as key to reducing public health risks such as cholera and typhoid.
Authorities say the initiative reflects ongoing efforts to modernise housing infrastructure through collaborative development approaches involving public and private stakeholders.
Once completed, the Matapi Flats redevelopment is expected to transform the area into a safer, cleaner and more dignified living environment for residents.
The facelift of Matapi Flats forms part of wider Government efforts to upgrade urban housing infrastructure and improve living standards in high-density suburbs, with similar rehabilitation programmes expected to be rolled out countrywide as part of ongoing urban renewal initiatives.
