Gwanda, town, southern Zimbabwe. Gwanda was founded in 1900, and its name derives from that of a nearby hill known as Jahunda. It is located on the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road and the railway that runs south to West Nicholson. The town is the chief centre for southwestern Zimbabwe’s cattle district and also trades in agricultural produce. There are gold, asbestos, and chrome mines in the area, and game and birds are plentiful on private land. Stone Age implements have been found in the Gwalingemba Hills, which lie 32 miles (52 km) south of Gwanda. Pop. (2002) 13,184; (2012) 19,895.