Established in 1890, near the Mshangashe and Macheke rivers in south-central Zimbabwe, Masvingo is Zimbabwe’s oldest town, and the capital of Masvingo Province. Originally named Fort Victoria, after Queen Victoria, it was developed as a military camp for the early British settlers travelling to Salisbury (now Harare). It was renamed ‘Nyanda’ in 1982, the name derived from the Nyanda Mountain situated some 10 kilometres south of the city. The name, meaning ‘one with lice’ in Shona was unsurprisingly not well received by the local community, leading to protest action. After a few short months the town was aptly renamed ‘Masvingo’, meaning ‘fort’, after the medieval walled fort of Great Zimbabwe, a major tourist attraction near the town. Masvingo gained city status in 2002. It is largely residential and is supported by tourism, cattle, sugar cane, tobacco and fruit farming on its outskirts. Masvingo is reputedly the location where the first cricket match in Zimbabwe was played. Rather than stopping in Masvingo solely for the purpose of refueling and replenishing supplies, it will be worth your while to take time to explore some of the city’s colourful and historical attractions.