Mashmo Newsletter (Issue One) Picture Form

New Mashmo website, just for your convenience!

Our new Mashmo website www.mashmolit.com ( lit = Land Investment Trust) is our early Christmas present, just for your convenience!

We apologize that of late our old site (www.mashmolit.co.zw) had been continuously on and off the internet, and we could

not do much, what with the project not administered within?

Prepared by our Marketing and Public Relations staff, the new site includes the company constitution, gallery and will frequently carry news features.

Apart from being simple and up to international standard, it also carries links to our Twitter  , Facebook and Google Blog accounts.

Thank you for your patience.

Once again, Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Of illegal settlements and relocations

An illegal settlement in Harare

It unfortunate in Zimbabwe and elsewhere 'houses and wealth' are scarcely inherited from parents, contrary to what Proverbs 19 verse 14 says should be the trend.

What if after personally painstakingly investing so much into your dream-house, authorities inform that you made developments on an illegal settlement?

The ink to news that President Robert Mugabe ordered off settlers at an illegal settlement near Harare Airport is still wet. Imagine, owners had invested thousands of dollars into their properties, and suddenly they have to relocate to some farm near Waterfalls.

That is one of the reasons Mashmo Land Investment (Pvt) Ltd prefers dealing with land that is under its name, as well as selling houses in the stead of residential stands.

Ownership of land is so crucial to the extent that it almost defines and separates so-called land barons from professionals.

One of the reasons the company can stand up six-feet tall among the others, is that we own our land, and are the ones who develop and construct the houses using about 50 percent if not more of our resources.

Cheap is sometimes expensive.

Make informed choices especially this Christmas!

Eastdale project show-house construction gets underway

Greetings, as usual we pray you are in perfect health.

We are currently working on two 'show-houses' on our Eastdale site.

By definition, these are sample houses on a new building site that are fully decorated and furnished for prospective buyers to view. 

As previously highlighted to, mostly our clients, construction period for these two units shall be no more than three months.

By December these houses should be complete with fitted wardrobes, cupboards, four-plate stoves, solar geysers, and all such additionals.

In the meantime, all the remaining units should be complete by June 2016, all things being equal.
Get in touch with us and secure one of the few units left.

Cell: +263779538970/ +263 772 697 163
Landlines +263 54 224166/ 224182
Email: mashmolit@yahoo.com

OR COME TO...

Left Wing, First Floor,
Motala Building, 74 Main Street, Gweru, ZIMBABWE

PROGRESS REPORT 2

In the book 'How Can I Overcome', an American pastor observes that to conquer the devil, one has to identify him and each one of his tricks.

Our hearts do bleed when we notice how that very same devil has bestrode our property industry, leaving hundreds of victims crying, and the growing number of fraudsters smiling.

Against the background, we sat done and agreed that inasmuch as we are top-notch property developers who are among the creme de la creme in the field, and were the first to be granted a permit to develop cluster houses by the Gweru City Council, we and our Eastdale project need a divine touch.

That is the reason last Thursday 6 August 2015, we held a groundbreaking ceremony on site, with a man of God blessing the project, as well as those behind it. (View pics here on Facebook page)

A few days down the line, the show-house should be complete, in the same manner we speedily put up a site office. The structure has already been painted, roofed with tiles, and has running water.

We have partnered Vaka Concrete, a notable brick and concrete products maker, and the company is delivering thousands of bricks at the site daily.

Surveying was long-completed, and so was pegging.

Let the building game begin!!!

Welcome to Zimbabwe, cluster house concept!!!

“Land is a finite resource and we must fully utilise it. We want to see more flats and cluster houses. - Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo.

Zimbabwe’s low density suburbs such as Newlands, Eastlea in Harare and Daylesford in Gweru have seen cluster houses replacing villas.

Cluster houses in Zimbabwe

On a piece of land usually reserved for the construction of one big house and a cottage, a new phenomenon of building cluster houses has emerged sending banks and real estate companies to invade the low density suburbs.

The banks or real estate agents are buying such properties, demolishing mansions and villas to pave way for the construction of cluster houses.

Where the two hectare land once stood an old Victorian villa, it now holds 20 cluster houses made up of high quality material.

The cluster houses share one perimeter wall and gate. However, each house has its own garage and piece of yard.

Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo recently toured one of the cluster houses in Newlands constructed by Homelux.

Chombo said Newlands and Eastlea had been rezoned to accommodate the new concept housing scheme.

“We are in the process of re-zoning places such as MT Pleasant.

“Land is a finite resource and we must fully utilise it. We want to see more flats and cluster houses,” Chombo said.

The minister said the construction of cluster houses resonates with government’s policy.

“I am delighted to note that your vision feeds into that of government as it relates to maximising land utilisation, for example, densification since land is a finite resource,” said Chombo.

“I therefore, without any reservations applaud such endeavours as they by and large improve the lives of our people through the provision of decent housing and employment creation opportunities.”

The minister further urged real estate players to invest in new technologies so as to ensure the maximum utilisation of land.

He also said construction companies should never compromise on quality.

“As government, we urge private property developers to embark on research and development so as to come up with new cost effective building technologies and materials. We desire to have new building technologies which are not only cost effective but of high quality and standard to ensure durability of the final product,” Chombo said.

“I recognise that the design of this project primarily aims to cut costs without compromising the quality of the final product. I must also emphasise that, with the incessant load-shedding we ought to encourage the use of renewable energy, for example, solar energy, rather than relying on the traditional means.

“We also encourage environmental management statuses,” he said.

Justin Machibaya, managing director of Homelux properties said government should avail more land to private developers so that they meet the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Social Economic Transformation (ZimAsset) goals.

“In the ZimAsset, real estate, if I am not mistaken, is the second largest contributor after mining and we have to fully utilise the land we have. Can you imagine what we can do if we are given

1 000 units (stands) in high density areas,” Machibaya said.“We believe in quality houses for every Zimbabwean and we also believe in the maximum utilisation of land.

“This is why we came up with the cluster houses concept. We have a number of projects in Harare and we promise that we will avail quality and affordable houses,” added Machibaya. - Improved from an article in THE WEEKEND POST

Reflections on Day Of The African Child

Says whistle blower website Wikipedia: "The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Africa Union (AU) then OAU (Organisation of African Unity)

It honors those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 on that day. It also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children.

On June 16th every year, governments, NGOs, international organisations and other stakeholders gather to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the full realization of the rights of children Africa.

Says Proverbs 19 vs 14: "House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.' You actually have to BUY the wealth for your CHILDREN!!!

This year, we urge you to honour our African children by buying them property...it is actually your divine commission to do so!!! 

Call/App Mashmo Land Investment Trust on +263 779 538 970...we still have properties reserved for you at our Eastdale, Daylesford cluster houses in Gweru, Zimbabwe!!! 

Website 

Terra-Surveys carries out pegging at Eastdale clusters

Men at work....

Terra-Surveys, trading as Sheasham Investments, currently developing Shurugwi Heghts, has finished pegging Eastdale cluster house stands and roads.

Hitting the peg in...

The enclosure is situated at number 22A Eastdale Road, Daylesford


The company is run by prominent Gweru surveyor C.Mandaza, who holds a Bachelor of Science [Honours] in Surveying from the University Of Zimbabwe (plus MSIZ).

Also a director with Stoneclare Construction, Mandaza until recently, headed the Gweru City council Surveyors Unit.

So sit back and relax, we have the creme de la creme on board!
A few units are still available. Book yours today on +264 54 224166, 224181, or (Cell, Whatsapp) +263779538970.

You can also visit us on Mashmo Land Investment Trust, First Floor, Motala Building, 74 Main Street, GWERU, ZIMBABWE.

Live what you sing, urges Mashmo's Augustine!!!

Worship and praise is an important part of Christian life.

However Augustin Caivin Shumba, a procurement officer with Mashmo Land Investment Trust, who is a worship leader in his own right, feels 

Augustine Caivin Shumba, Mashmo Land Investment Trust procurement officer-cum- gospel artist

that a significant number of talented musician do not practice what they sing.

"As worshippers, we really need to worship to the God we are serving as a starting point, " says Augustine, an active member of the Grace Life Covenant Choir. 

He fellowships at Midlands Hotel, Thursdays and Sundays.


"A worshipper needs to read, fast, pray, in fact live Christianity."

Shumba started music at the early age of eight as a grade 3 pupil at Bata Primary School in Gweru. He began taking praise and worship seriously at James Mutami's Call To Worship group, also in Gweru from 2012 to 2013.

He then joined Spirit Praise at Spirit Embassy, before finally settling at GLC choir.

Who inspire t

he musician in Zimbabwe, and internationally?

"As musicians we really need to practice Christianity itself as opposed to just being a tinkling cymbal."

Augustine (third from left) at Heartfelt Worship team

Says Auga: "Gospel music Michael Stamp, and Israel Houghton's Houghton bless me so much. Locally, I admire the standards set by Prophet Tavonga Vutabwashe's Heartfelt Worship Team, where I also was once a musican."

The 23 year-old is aiming at starting his own musical group focusing more on deep in two years time.

"Next year however, God willing, I intend to drop a scorcher of an album, working with our Chief Executive Officer Robson Vunganai as my producer, at his Vybz Records."

Mashmo Land Investment Trust,
First Floor, Motala Building, 74 Main Street, GWERU

Tel: +263 54 224166
Fax: +263 54 224181
WhatsApp: +263 779 538 970
Email: mashmolit@yahoo.com 
Website: www.mashmolit.co.zw

A brief scan at our Eastdale council permit

We hope we find you well, and had a sterling weekend!

Today we look at the contents of the Mashmo Land Investment Trust Eastdale council permit for your benefit.

The permit, is the first of its kind since Gweru became a municipal in 1914, and obtained city status in 1971. Council is yet to issue a similar one.

Writes Engineer Praymore Mhlanga to Mashmo chairman Mr Blazio Mtakiwa: "I am pleased to advise that Council, at its 634th Ordinary Meeting, resolved that permission be granted in terms of section 26 (3) of the Regional, Town, and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12) for the construction of CLUSTER HOUSES (emphasis ours) on Lot 22 of Gwelo Small Holding 6 (22 Eastdale Road, Daylesford)"

Eng. Mhlanga further advises that the roads and storm water drains formed by the proposed development shall be formed, graded and surfaced with such material as specified and approved by Gweru city council, all at the applicant's cost.

"Road works should be completed before any houses are built save that when the roads in any section have been completed, houses in that section can be constructed."

The permit mentions that reticulated water supply from the reticulation system of Gweru City council shall be provided, by the applicant (Mashmo) at their cost, to all houses. This water reticulation system shall be approved prior to installations, by Gweru City council.

All houses shall be connected to a reticulated sewer sewer from the council.

The houses shall be covered with concrete or Harvey tiles.

Each house shall be sited in such manner that it has adequate parking space and allows a minimum area of  500 square metres when subdivisions for individuals are carried out. Normal subdivision procedures will be followed.

A security wall shall be put around the development, care being taken that such an enclosure does not interfere with traffic circulation.

Thank you.

Direct further enquiries to First Floor, Motala Building, 74 Main Street, Gweru, Zimbabwe

Tel: +263 54 224166

 Fax: +263 54 224181

WhatsApp: +263 779 538 970

Website: www.mashmolit.co.zw

Mashmo lends a hand in 'cooking' Soul Food

On set...5 - 4 3 - 2 - 1 - SHOOT!!!

Mashmo Land Investment Trust is proud to be one of the sponsors of Soul Food, a Midlands State University (MSU) Film and Theatre Arts Department production.

Scene of the filming

Directed by Derby Bheta and co-produced by Tariro Chingozho December and Appreciate Makadho, Soul Food is set out on the task of creating the best visual media productions for both the Zimbabwean and the international audience.

"We hope to finish filming by August 2015," informed December.

"We will also have the short film posted on online Zimbabwean television platforms such as Blacktoe TV and TV Yangu by September 2015."

The producers were worried that the film industry is greatly concentrated to the capital city (Harare) making film sets monotonous.

"Against the backdrop, we aim to revamp the films by using new exotic landscapes such as those found in Gweru."

Appreciate Makadho and Robson Moyo

The 13-minute production will have a narration of modern-day society, investing more in presenting a relevant story told in the best way possible.

Inside The Carousel

Says Makadho : "A more professional business approach route will be taken to give the film a corporate appeal attracting other similar corporate entities to invest into, and sponsor the project."

Mashmo Chief Executive Officer Robson Vunganai said the company felt compelled to partner with the makers of the film as part of their community development efforts.

"Gweru is our home, and Mashmo being a local brand, we saw it worthwhile to support the film producers efforts, especially considering that they are from a local tertiary institution.

"Where else would  a company want to channel resources other than towards education?"

Walking down history's lane

Last year Gweru celebrated 100 years since it was first a municipal in 1914.


 At Mashmo Land Investment Trust, we also gleefully remember that year as a stepping stone at both our establishment, as well as into the history books of the Midlands capital.

Mashmo directors Mr R. Vunganai(CEO)  and Mr B. Mtakiwa (Chairman)

For starters, the Mashmo Eastdel (Daylesford) project was the first in Gweru, coming at a time the very word 'cluster house' was still very uncommon.


Council had to travel to Harare and Bulawayo in an effort to establish what kind of a creature cluster houses were.


Only in October of 2014 Harare had approved the construction of hundreds of cluster houses across the capital, with the coming to fruition of the projects expected to significantly ease the housing shortages and regulate rentals.


The plain truth that most land developers and constructors never tell was that it was highly likely that only a few could afford, and benefit from the projects.




We repeat with pride that it is Mashmo Land Investment Trust that was first licensed by Gweru city council to develop cluster houses in the city. To be frank, as at 1 June 2015, today, no other institution had been yet approved to carry out a cluster house development in the city of close to 500 000.

Knocking for the permit!

In previous inserts, we have defined cluster housing as "a subdivision technique where dwellings are grouped close together with a common area left for recreation.'

 In effect residents have extremely small yards but can enjoy the large common spaces.

 Our project is unique in the sense that you pay a $3000 deposit over three months, and pay monthly instalments as you move into your upmarket property.


For the benefit of those who are reading our blog for the first time, our units are 500 square metres, with 150 square metres taken up by the house.

Should you want to spend 10 year making these contributions, you pay $500 every month, while you make $345 installments and finish up 15 years later.

  Website 

Twitter account  

Mashmo..Facebook.page 

LinkedIn contacts


Our cell numbers, also available on WhatsApp, is +263 779 538 970.

Other numbers are +263 54 224181/ 231743

Seven tips to avoid real estate property scams

Like all other industries, real estate industry is not safe from scams. There are groups of people working to harm real estate professionals, lending institutes, investors, landlords, buyers and tenants. Usually professionals working in the industry are ethical and try to perform their duties with honesty. There are criminal mind people who actually don’t know about business process of this industry but they use properties as source to extract money from people.

 Main reason of real estate property scams is the huge amount of cash associated with properties. Whether, landlords selling or renting their properties to buyers and tenants they will be dealing with huge amount of money.

Here seven tips to avoid real estate property scams:

1. Whether you are buying or renting a property from landlord or you are going to sell and rent your property to tenants, ensure this to make your contract in written form. Never assume that party you are dealing with will follow verbal promises.

2. If you are going to make any kind of real estate property deal for the first time, it's better to take advice from experienced professionals. Experienced and qualified investors and professionals will help you to estimate the real value of the project or property for which you are investing your money. They will also help you to identify the ambiguity in a contract. Professional suggestions will surely protect you to make doubtful deals.

3. Before making final decision to invest in any property development project, it is good to observe major property development projects. You can also find information about common real estate scam cases via media. Usually real estate fraudsters try to use same technique to deceive people. This makes it little easy to identify scam property deal.

4. Try to work with certified professionals. It is critically important to work with authorized real estate agents and property management companies. Moreover, if you are individually selling or renting your property to a buyer or tenant, make sure about his employment and bank balance. If person you are dealing with show a complex background be careful then, he may be a scam artist.

5. Always ready to quit any real estate deal, even if the offer is too good. In case you don't get satisfactory answers to any of your questions related to the property you are going to buy or rent. Keep it in mind real estate deals must be profitable for both the parties. Don't focus only on what you will be getting after the deal; also consider what other party will get at the end.

6. Also keep an eye on your bank accounts; you will also become victim of identity theft that may lead to involve you in sort of corruption and fake bank transactions. Scam artists can open fake accounts with your name and make scam deals on your name. Maintain proper data of your accounts and properties you possess to avoid such incidents of identity thefts.

7. Avoid paying beyond your capacity to pay for a property. Real estate scams also betray buyers and sellers showing them urgency to sell or purchase assets and encourage them to pay extra money for the property or finalizing sale deal below actual market prices. It is important to consider correct value of property ad your budget limits.

Following these simple tips will help you to avoid real estate property scams. Whether you are going to purchase, sale or rent a property. There are always chances to become a victim, only careful observation of whole business process will protect you from property scams.

Call us when in doubt or in trouble. We can assist in our small way.

+263 779538970 (Also on WhatsApp)

The pros and cons of cluster house development

Development isn't all about shopping centers.

Cluster housing has worked in other parts of the country, and it's been written into municipal by-laws since the turn of the millenium. What has been missing were developers willing to make the up-front investment to create cluster housing developments and prove to the local population that living on a working farm is preferable to plowing one under to pour a new home's foundation.

"There is definitely a risk factor for the property owner or developer," says Engineer Praymore Mhlanga, the Gweru City Council Acting Director of Engineering Services. "This is a new-product type in a market without a track record in this area. But it has very real benefits for the community in terms of land use and the environment."

Mhlanga and his team had to tour Bulawayo, Harare, and other places in order to really understand what the cluster house concept was all about.

"The problem," says a property guru who requested anonymity, "is that we haven't yet seen a local example of cluster housing, so no one realizes that it is a sustainable solution.
Like living on a golf course of a lake, the cluster housing idea would allow people - young families, retired seniors, working peope - to live "on a farm or plot."

It does take a large investment to create this kind of development. When landowners can easily sell 5-acre parcels for ready cash, with no requirement to install utilities or other infrastructure before the sale, what is the incentive to create cluster housing?

The incentive, says the property guru, has to be a concern about the future of the landscape coupled with a belief that this kind of neighborhood is desirable. He'd love to live on a plot, and he doesn't think he's alone in that desire. And financially, he is convinced after reading about similar clusters throughout the country, that although it is a more complex and costly process, cluster housing does ultimately get the landowner's equity back.

"It requires money and vision," He admits.

Another developer works with clients daily who want their dream home on a 5-acre lot, not realizing the amount of maintenance required to keep five acres looking good, or the farmland that might have been saved had they and their neighbors required less land per home.

"I just know that if people could see this kind of neighborhood, they'd realize how much sense it makes," in terms of consistency of design and neighborhood feel, she said, something that is lacking in a patchwork of 5-acre parcels.

Says Simon Dube, a property consultant:"People have a false sense of security on their 5-acre parcels, and they're surprised if their neighbor starts, for example, to ride around the perimeter of his property on a dirt bike. There are no restrictions on what they can do, and we have no capacity to control other people's choices. Planned cluster developments have covenants that guarantee a certain type of neighborhood, with surrounding open space."

Writes Don Merriweather on city-data.com: "To start, there is no legal definition for what a cluster home precisely is. The one thing everyone agrees on is that it is a single family "detached." (I want to emphasize the work detached.) In almost all cases, the cluster home is separated from the home or homes immediately to the left or right or both by a space of 10' or less . . . hence, the idea that they are clustered. Some realtors seem to think that two homes connected by a common storage room wall qualify to be classified as cluster homes, but that is not the case.

"The definition of a townhome is defined as an "attached, privately owned single-family dwelling unit which is a part of and adjacent to other similarly owned single-family dwelling units that are connected to but separated from one another by a COMMON PARTY WALL having no doors, windows, or other provisions for human passage or visibility." (Emphasis added) I hope this will clarify what a cluster home is and is not.

Adds Merriweather: "As for negatives about cluster homes, that really is up to the purchaser (given that the location is good). Some folks like to live closer to others; some don't. Some folks like less yard work; some love jumping on a riding lawn mower once a week. It goes on . . . . Every style of home has its pool of interested buyers, and if you don't want to hear your neighbors screaming at each other about each others faults, then focus on homes on larger lots.

Considering that Mashmo Eastdel Cluster houses are within a 500 square metre enclosure, with the house itself occupying 150 square metres, the word close automatically loses its meaning here.

Demystifying cluster house development

A Residential Cluster Development, or conservation development, is the grouping of residential properties on a development site in order to use the extra land as open space, recreation or agriculture. It is increasingly becoming popular in subdivision development because it allows the developer to spend much less on land and obtain much the same price per unit as for detached houses.

The shared garden areas can be a source of conflict however. Claimed advantages include more green/public space, closer community, and an optimal storm water management. Cluster development often encounters planning objections.

According to William H. Whyte, the author of “Cluster Development” there are two types of cluster development. Townhouse development and super development.

 Definition

Cluster Development also known as conservation development is a site planning approach that is an alternative to conventional subdivision development. It is a practice of Low Impact Development that groups residential properties in a proposed subdivision closer together in order to utilize the rest of the land for open space, recreation or agriculture. Cluster development differs from a planned unit development (PUD) due the fact that a PUD contains a mix of residential, commercial, industrial, or other uses, whereas the cluster development primarily focuses on residential area.


The purpose of cluster development is to:

1. promote integrated site design that is considerate to the natural features and topography
2. protect environmentally sensitive areas of the development site, as well as permanently preserve important natural features, prime agricultural land, and open space
3. minimize non-point source pollution through reducing the area of impervious surfaces on site
4. encourage saving costs on infrastructure and maintenance through practices such as decreasing the area that needs to be paved and the decreasing distance that utilities need to be run
5. the primary purpose is to create more area for open space, recreation and more social interaction                                                                                                                                         Tomorrow: The pros and cons of Cluster House Development.

5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mashmo

1.Who are the brains behind the project?

Construction guru Mr Blazio (Mashayamombe) Mtakiwa and marketer-per excellence Mr Robson Vunganai Moyo have teamed up to come up with this dynamic land investment trust, based in Gweru.

'Mash' is borrowed from Mashayamombe, and 'Mo' from Moyo, to come up with the unique name, MashMo.

The architect's 3D impression of the proposed shopping centre

As the proprietor of Blano Construction, Mr Mtakiwa has built hundreds of houses for clients before, over a career spanning forty years, and has traceable references.

Through his expertise, Mr Vunganai has historically provided stands to low-to medium income earners under Tinshel Properties in Montrose where he was the general manager, much to the satisfaction of the beneficiaries who previously never dreamt of owning a property.

2. How many units are up for grabs at Eastdel Cluster houses project?

The spacious plot, situated in Daylesford's Eastdel Road, can accommodate 104 units. So far council has approved the construction of 78 units, and the local authority engineers are looking into the idea of adding a few more.

3. How spacious are stands?

Houses are constructed on 500 square metre stands, with the actual building consuming 150 square metres.

4. How can I benefit from the scheme?

You start by paying $50 joining fee, after which you make the initial deposit of $3000, over three months. Monthly installments of $345 can then be paid over 15 years. All in all, the property cost $65 000.

It is up to the client to even pay the total amount in five years, a year, or even at once!

5. Do I get title deeds?

Very much! Title deeds to the property involved are available from the company. However you get them after making the full payment

Our lawyers are Garikayi and Company, and MashMo has also partnered with First Mutual Insurance as far as legal issues and insurance is concerned.

TELL ME, WHY???

3D impression of Eastdel cluster houses

Why pay prohibitively expensive rentals when you can contribute towards the acquisition of your own property using the same money?

Records are replete with cases in which stands have been repossessed by local authorities after the initial owners failed to develop them.

At Mashmo Land Investment Trust, we endeavour not only to sell you a stand but build you a HOUSE! The good news is you will pay the full amount over 15 years while you stay in your own home!

Our three-bedroomed cluster houses situated along Eastdel Road in the leafy Daylesford suburb in Gweru, are an offer under affordable, unheard of payment plans.

Pay $50 joining fee, Deposit $3000 over three months, and make $345 monthly instalments within 15 years! You can alternatively pay $500 every month over 10 years.

First Floor, Motala Building, &4 Main Street, GWERU
Tel +263 54 224166 Fax +263 54 224181
WhatsApp +263 779 538 970
Email: mashmolit@yahoo.com