town, south-central Zimbabwe. Its name is derived from shavani, a Sindebele word meaning “finger millet,” or “trading together.” Surrounded by low hills, it is on direct rail links to Harare (formerly Salisbury) and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe and to Maputo in Mozambique. The adjacent asbestos mine is its major economic asset. Zvishavane was created a village in 1920 and a town in 1930. Pop. (2002 prelim.) 35,229.