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Bata Shoe Factory

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Industrial site
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Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)

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The Bata Shoe Company in Gweru is one of Zimbabwe's oldest and most significant manufacturing establishments, having commenced operations in 1939. As the largest footwear manufacturer in the country, it plays a vital role in the economy of the Midlands Province and provides employment to thousands of local workers. The factory is renowned for producing iconic brands like the Safari boot and various school shoes that are essential for the domestic market. Its industrial complex includes tanneries and specialized production lines that handle everything from raw hide processing to finished retail products. Over the decades, Bata has remained a cornerstone of Zimbabwean industry despite shifting economic conditions, maintaining its position as a primary supplier for both local consumption and regional export. The facility also supports a wide network of retail outlets across the nation, forming a fully integrated production and distribution chain.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Sep, Oct.

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Rain mm1301189339655182887177

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The Bata Shoe Factory in Gweru is an iconic footwear manufacturing plant that has produced shoes for decades. It is a major employer in the region and a symbol of industrial manufacturing in Zimbabwe.
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Visiting
The factory can be viewed from outside from the street, and there is a small factory outlet store open to the public. Factory tours are usually not possible, but the showroom gives insight into the product range.
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Where to view it
The best viewpoint is the main road in front of the factory premises, showing the distinctive Bata-branded buildings. A parking lot on the opposite side of the street provides a good angle for photos.
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Local products
The factory produces a wide range of leather shoes, sandals, and work boots. At the factory store, visitors can often purchase discounted goods and discontinued models at favorable prices.
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Active season
Production runs year-round, but peak capacity is before school semesters when demand for school shoes increases. During the Christmas period there are often special gives.
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Nearby
Combine this visit with a city tour of Gweru to see the city park and the Transport Museum. Also a trip to the nearby Antelope Park has a chance to experience wildlife.

Geography

Coordinates
-19.45000, 29.81670

Facts

  • Established in Gweru in 1939
  • Largest footwear manufacturer in Zimbabwe
  • Production capacity of several million pairs annually
  • Manufacturer of the world-famous Safari boots
  • Features on-site tanneries for leather processing
  • Major employer in the Midlands Province region

Explore nearby

Notable places around

GweruGweru<1 km · SExplore →
Gweru Antelope ParkGweru Antelope Park5 km · EExplore →
ShurugwiShurugwi30 km · NWExplore →
RedcliffRedcliff40 km · EExplore →
Zisco Steel WorksZisco Steel Works41 km · EExplore →
KwekweKwekwe50 km · EExplore →
Kwe Kwe Nature ParkKwe Kwe Nature Park53 km · EExplore →
Midlands PlateauMidlands Plateau56 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Bata Shoe Factory (3)

Boggie's Clock Tower🏛 museum

Clock tower in Gweru named after a local figure, now a museum.

🕒 Mo-Fr 07:00-16:00

Stock Exchange Building🏛 museum

Former stock exchange building in Gweru, now used as a museum.

🕒 24/7♿

Zimbabwe Military Museum🏛 museum

Military museum in Gweru with exhibits on Zimbabwe's military history.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Is the Bata shoe factory in Gweru well-known?
Yes, it is one of the most traditional and largest shoe factories in Zimbabwe.
Can you visit the factory?
No, visits are not possible due to operational reasons.
Where is the factory located?
It is located in the town of Gweru, in the center of Zimbabwe.
What is Gweru like as a city?
Gweru is an important industrial city with a pleasant climate.
Are there tourist attractions there?
There are wildlife reserves nearby that are attractive to visitors.
Bata Shoe Factory: where is it located?
Bata Shoe Factory is located in Zimbabwe.
Bata Shoe Factory: what is there to see?
Highlights include Boggie's Clock Tower, Stock Exchange Building, Zimbabwe Military Museum.
Bata Shoe Factory: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, Sep, Oct.
Bata Shoe Factory: why is it worth visiting?
The Bata Shoe Company in Gweru is one of Zimbabwe's oldest and most significant manufacturing establishments, having commenced operations in 1939.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Gweru — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Gweru
Gweru is the administrative capital of the Midlands Province and a significant industrial and educational center in central Zimbabwe.
Kwekwe — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Kwekwe
Kwekwe is a prominent mining and industrial town located halfway between Harare and Bulawayo.
Zvishavane — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Zvishavane
Zvishavane is a vibrant mining town in the Midlands Province, historically famous for its world-class asbestos deposits.
Redcliff — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Redcliff
Redcliff is an industrial town located near Kwekwe that was specifically built to support Zimbabwe's iron and steel industry.
Gokwe — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Gokwe
Gokwe is a large and busy rural center in the Midlands Province, serving as the primary hub for Zimbabwe's small-scale cotton farmers.
Shurugwi — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Shurugwi
Shurugwi is a scenic mining town situated on the Great Dyke, known for its dramatic mountain passes and rich chrome and gold deposits.
Mvuma — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Mvuma
Mvuma is a strategic transit town in the Midlands Province, located at the critical intersection of the roads connecting Harare, Bulawayo…
Mberengwa — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Mberengwa
Mberengwa is a mineral-rich district center in the Midlands Province, famously known for its precious emeralds and gold.

History & landmarks

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Boggie Memorial Clock Tower
An iconic clock tower in Gweru commemorating Major William Boggie.
Gweru Theatre — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Gweru Theatre
A prominent theater building that shapes the cultural life in the city of Gweru.

More places

🗺️
Gweru Antelope Park
A sanctuary focusing on lions and other wildlife.
🗺️
Unki Platinum Mine
A major underground platinum mine owned by Anglo American Platinum.
Zisco Steel Works — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Zisco Steel Works
Historically one of the largest integrated steelworks in Africa, currently undergoing revitalization.
Kwe Kwe Nature Park — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Kwe Kwe Nature Park
A regional nature park with focus on flora and fauna.
Midlands Plateau — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Midlands Plateau
The centrally located plateau between Harare and Bulawayo.
🗺️
Danangombe
Formerly known as Dhlo-Dhlo, it was an important center of the Rozvi Empire.
Sable Chemicals — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Sable Chemicals
Zimbabwe's sole manufacturer of ammonium nitrate fertilizer.
Naletale Ruins — Bata Shoe Factory (Zimbabwe)
Naletale Ruins
Naletale boasts the most elaborately decorated stone walls in Zimbabwe.