VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe — At this year’s Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, amidst pounding feet and cheering crowds, a refreshing moment stole the spotlight — not a record finish, but a revitalizing gulp of baobab smoothie from a local wellness brand reshaping Zimbabwe’s approach to health.
Yanaya, a growing name in Zimbabwe’s health food sector, introduced its plant-based energy and Afrocentric philosophy to the race through a “Lifestyle Refueling Station” — a pop-up wellness hub offering smoothies, millet energy bites, herbal infusions, and real-time nutritional advice to runners and spectators alike.
“We weren’t just here to serve smoothies,” said Nyaradzo Dhliwayo Moyo, founder and CEO of Yanaya. “We were here to prove that our traditional ingredients — baobab, nyemba, moringa — can power performance, fuel recovery and inspire pride in who we are. This is what wellness looks like when it’s local and unapologetic.”
A New Chapter in Zimbabwean Wellness
In a country grappling with rising health issues such as diabetes, hypertension and stress, Yanaya is offering a remedy that feels both modern and ancestral. The company is reframing wellness not as a foreign concept or elite fad, but as a return to traditional roots.
With smoothie bars, clean food offerings and detox programs, Yanaya has become a go-to for urban Zimbabweans seeking balance, energy and authenticity. Yet the brand’s influence extends beyond food — it represents an entrepreneurial movement grounded in purpose.
“We saw a gap in the market, yes,” Dhliwayo Moyo said. “But more importantly, we saw a cultural opportunity to reconnect people with the foods of their land and the vitality of their bodies.”
Wellness Meets Hustle
Dhliwayo Moyo’s journey is as compelling as her brand. Trained in South Africa and inspired by her own shift to a plant-based lifestyle, she returned home with a simple idea: to make healthy food easy, accessible and proudly African.
What began with a few staff members and a lot of determination has grown into a thriving business with outlets serving fitness enthusiasts, business professionals, students and parents alike.
The company’s rise in a challenging economy has caught the attention of business leaders, with some describing it as a blueprint for scaling with intention in Zimbabwe.
“This is entrepreneurship with soul,” said a Harare-based dietitian. “She’s not just building a food business — she’s building a lifestyle brand that’s truly ours.”
More Than a Race
At the marathon, Yanaya’s presence sparked more than hydration — it started conversations.
Runners asked about moringa benefits. Spectators took notes on millet-based snacks. Athletes swapped sugary drinks for smoothie refills. It became a mobile wellness seminar, energizing both body and mind.
“This was the most memorable stop on the course,” said a runner from Gweru. “It wasn’t just fuel — it was a reminder that we can run on what’s ours.”
Yanaya’s participation underscored a powerful message: Zimbabwe can lead Africa’s wellness movement using its own ingredients, its own people and its own stories.
With the country’s growing focus on fitness, mental health and clean eating, Yanaya is expanding its impact. The brand is rolling out wellness vending machines, growing its delivery network and forming partnerships with schools and corporate wellness programs.
But for Dhliwayo Moyo, the mission remains unchanged: nourishing the nation — physically, culturally and economically.
“This is just the beginning,” she said. “Our vision is to see wellness become a way of life for every Zimbabwean — not something extra, but something essential.”
In a noisy world, Yanaya offers something timeless — a smoothie-powered reminder that health, hustle and heritage can blend into something extraordinary.
About Yanaya
Founded in 2019 by wellness entrepreneur Nyaradzo Dhliwayo Moyo, Yanaya is Zimbabwe’s leading plant-based food and lifestyle brand. Its mission is to make healthy eating accessible, delicious and rooted in African tradition. The brand operates multiple outlets offering smoothies, vegan and vegetarian meals, cold-pressed juices and nourishing snacks. Yanaya will celebrate six years of vibrant health in 2025.
