Harare on 11 November 1965, and proclaimed the Republic of Rhodesia in 1970. Subsequently, the nation became the short-lived state of Zimbabwe Rhodesia, it was not until 18 April 1980 that the country was internationally recognised as independent as the Republic of Zimbabwe. The name of the city was changed to Harare on 18 April 1982, the second anniversary of Zimbabwean independence, taking its name from the village near Harare Kopje of the Shona chief Neharawa, whose nickname was "he who does not sleep". Prior to independence, "Harare" was the name of the black residential area now known as Mbare. In
The Avenues, Harare the suburb a somewhat built-up feel. This is broken up somewhat by the presence of parks; The Harare Gardens and Greenwood Park also by the wide tree lined avenues which colour the landscape lilac/purple every Sept/Oct when in full bloom. Also the Avenues has a sprinkling of restaurants, guest houses, lodges as well as Hotels e.g. Bronte and Holiday Inn. Also there is a good collection of pubs, clubs which are quite popular some trendy. On the other hand, the Avenues also has a seedy reputation for being a "Red Light District" esp along J.Chinamano, Fife Avenues. The Avenues, Harare