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The transport challenges facing Zimbabwe in 2025 can never be underestimated. However, there is a flicker of hope that things might be starting to turn around—thanks to the government’s recent unveiling of the Trabablas Interchange, the first of its kind in the country, which has somewhat eased the long-standing traffic woes.
For years, commuters from areas like Chitungwiza cried out about unbearable congestion, forcing them to wake up at least two hours earlier than necessary just to beat the traffic. The major culprit? The notoriously poorly engineered Mbudzi Roundabout. But at long last, it has been refurbished and transformed into a modern interchange—now proudly named Trabablas.
But where did the name Trabablas come from? In Zimbabwe, nothing is ever just a name—almost everything carries a political connotation. It wouldn’t be surprising if even a small bridge is opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by high-level government officials or even the President himself, all eager to claim the glory.
Ironically, to the country’s embarrassment, news recently broke about people using the newly built facility as a makeshift toilet. But can you really blame them? Jobs are scarce, poverty is rampant, and many citizens spend their days idly basking in the sun—thankfully still free, because if the sun came with a price tag, most wouldn’t afford it. Reports suggest the government now plans to build public toilets around the area, which is quite literally the least they can do.
In contrast, South Africa boasts an uncountable number of interchanges, with spaghetti-like roads crisscrossing the country and making traffic movement almost flawless. The road infrastructure is complex, vast, and mostly well-maintained, enabling smoother travel even in high-density urban areas.
Zimbabwe’s attempt at building modern infrastructure like Trabablas may be a drop in the ocean compared to South Africa’s web of roadways, but it’s a start. What remains to be seen is whether such projects are sustained and expanded—or if they simply become another politically convenient photo-op with no lasting impact on the everyday lives of struggling Zimbabweans.s.
