The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Tourism Correspondent
MANY have known it as the home for the National Gallery of Zimbabwe for years and recently Women’s University in Africa joined in to occupy the Kopje House which is one of the historic buildings and a national monument found in Mutare.
The Kopje House Complex building was started and completed in 1897.
Set out on a kopje, the building functioned as a hospital in the then Umtali, now Mutare from August 1897 until March 1930 as the hospital moved to its current location at Hospital Hill.
Between 1930 and 1934, the Kopje House complex was largely abandoned and parts of the complex were later used as an old people’s home and Government offices between 1934 and 1938.
From 1938 to 1972, it became a temporary hostel for the then Umtali Boys’ High School.
In 1976, Umtali City Council took over the complex and many buildings were demolished.
The remaining ones were used by the Umtali Museum Scientific and Cultural Association for various activities. The complex was later proclaimed a national monument.
The building material is mainly stone, brick, wood and corrugated iron. Various conversions and alterations have taken place, the main ones being in 1913, 1936-7 and 1976.
A little mortuary was set up on site and it still exists to this day though with a new use.
The mortuary was up on the hill behind the women’s ward and the dispensary, until 1926 when it ceased to be a mortuary.
A story is told from Mrs Margaret Stewart, a former resident of Umtali involving her friend, Sister Harrison who was nursing at Kopje House.
On one particular night, Sister Harrison was accompanying stretcher bearers on the long trek to the mortuary and was carrying a hurricane lamp to light their way.
A donkey sleeping in the grass on the outside of the fence awakened and reared up, whereupon the bearers dropped the stretcher bearing the corpse and ran for their lives.
Dr Wilson was the first Medical Superintendent of Kopje House Hospital around 1920s, while the matron was Miss Newcombe. Miss Hunt became matron when Miss Newcombe retired and moved to Umtali Hospital in 1930.
With the intensification of work on the construction of the railway from Beira, many more patients were being brought to the hospital.
The place holds a critical historical and cultural significance and has played a critical role in championing arts as well as supporting artistes.
The place has numerous permanent exhibits which are well displayed in the gallery and surrounding grounds.
They occasionally offer local artists the much-needed opportunity to showcase their talents and display their work.
A visit to the place is worthwhile.
It is a cultural and tourism hub and has hosted visual and performing artists as well as culture enthusiasts from across the globe.
There is a gallery shop which is bright and cheerful with cushions, batiks, basket ware, beaded animals, jewellery and carvings attractively displayed.
