Masvingo, the oldest colonial settlement in Zimbabwe, was established around the encampment formed by the British South Africa Company "Pioneer Column" during their journey towards Salisbury (present-day Harare). This year also marks the first recorded cricket match in Zimbabwe, which is said to have taken place near Masvingo.

The Old Fort national monument was erected in the centre of Masvingo, serving as one of the fortifications guarding the route from Salisbury to the south.

The town known as Fort Victoria had its name changed to Nyanda. This name reflects a nearby mountain approximately 7 miles south of the town along the Masvingo to Beitbridge Road.

The town's name was again changed from Nyanda to Masvingo due to general sentiment. "Masvingo" means "fort" in Shona, and the name was chosen to better reflect the town's history. It's often referred to as "Masvingo eZimbabwe" or "Masvingo eVitori," meaning "the fort near Fort Victoria."

Middlesbrough and Masvingo Alliance, The Community Interest Company (CIC) you see today, was established with the task of rejuvenating the twinning agreement between the two councils. The initial objective was to create a vibrant and meaningful relationship between the two locations.

Amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the role of the Middlesbrough and Masvingo Alliance became even more crucial. The crisis emphasized the importance of global collaboration and inter-city relationships, underscoring the need for the Alliance to reinforce the partnership between the two cities.