Staff Writer
At this year’s Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, amidst pounding footsteps and roaring cheers, it wasn’t a record-breaking finish that stole the show—it was the refreshing sip of a baobab smoothie, courtesy of a Zimbabwean brand redefining wellness from the ground up.
Enter Yanaya—a bold force in Zimbabwe’s health food scene—bringing plant-powered energy and an Afrocentric philosophy to center stage.
At the heart of the marathon, Yanaya launched its Lifestyle Refueling Station, a vibrant pop-up wellness hub serving smoothies, millet energy bites, herbal infusions, and real-time nutritional guidance. It was a pit stop for the body and soul.
“We weren’t just here to serve smoothies,” said Mrs. Nyaradzo Dhliwayo Moyo, Yanaya’s Founder and CEO.
“We came to show that traditional ingredients—baobab, nyemba, moringa—can fuel recovery, enhance performance, and ignite cultural pride. This is wellness that’s local, powerful, and unapologetic.”
In a country grappling with rising cases of diabetes, hypertension, and chronic stress, Yanaya is offering more than a health fix—it’s offering a homecoming. By reimagining wellness as a return to ancestral knowledge rather than a Western import or elite trend, the brand is inspiring Zimbabweans to reclaim their health through heritage.
From its colorful smoothie bars to detox programs and clean eating options, Yanaya has fast become a trusted source for urban Zimbabweans seeking balance, energy, and flavor. But beyond what’s on the menu, it’s a mission-driven movement.
“Yes, we saw a gap in the market,” reflects Mrs. Dhliwayo Moyo.
“But more importantly, we saw a cultural opportunity—to reconnect people with the land, with their bodies, and with the nourishing power of our own ingredients.”
Where Wellness Meets Hustle
Mrs. Dhliwayo Moyo’s journey is as authentic as the brand she’s built. Trained in South Africa and transformed by her own shift to a plant-based lifestyle, she returned home with a bold vision: to make healthy eating easy, affordable, and proudly African.
With a handful of staff and a whole lot of purpose, Yanaya was born—hustling from one location to a growing network of outlets now frequented by fitness lovers, professionals, students, and families alike.
In Zimbabwe’s complex economic landscape, Yanaya’s rise stands out—not just as a business success, but as a blueprint for meaningful, resilient entrepreneurship.
“This is entrepreneurship with soul,” says a Harare-based dietitian.
“She’s not just selling smoothies—she’s creating a lifestyle brand that belongs to us.”
More Than a Marathon
At Victoria Falls, Yanaya’s impact went far beyond what was in the cup. Runners asked about moringa. Spectators sampled millet bites. Athletes swapped fizzy drinks for smoothie refills. Conversations flowed as freely as the juices.
“It was the most memorable stop on the course,” said one runner from Gweru.
“Not just fuel—but a reminder that we can run on what’s ours.”
It was a wellness masterclass in motion—energizing bodies, minds, and a growing national movement.
A Wellness Revolution, Rooted in Zimbabwe
As more Zimbabweans embrace clean eating, mental wellness, and active lifestyles, Yanaya is scaling with vision. The company is set to launch wellness vending solutions, expand its delivery model, and forge partnerships with schools and workplaces—meeting people where they are with nourishment that feels personal.
But at its core, Yanaya’s mission remains beautifully consistent: to nourish a nation—physically, culturally, and economically.
“This is just the beginning,” says Mrs. Dhliwayo Moyo.
“Our dream is for wellness to be woven into everyday life—for every Zimbabwean. Not something extra, but something essential.”
In a world full of trends and noise, Yanaya offers something timeless—a smoothie-powered reminder that health, hustle, and heritage are still the ultimate blend.
Why Yanaya Stands Out
✅ 100% Zimbabwean-owned and female-led
✅ Powered by traditional African superfoods like baobab, millet, moringa, and nyemba
✅ Focused on clean, plant-based eating and wellness education
✅ Active presence at public events, marathons, and community initiatives
✅ Positioned to expand regionally with an Afrocentric wellness mission
About Yanaya
Founded in 2019 by wellness entrepreneur Mrs. Nyaradzo Dhliwayo Moyo, Yanaya is Zimbabwe’s leading plant-based food and lifestyle brand. With a mission to make healthy eating accessible, delicious, and deeply rooted in African traditions, Yanaya operates multiple outlets offering smoothies, vegan meals, cold-pressed juices, and nourishing snacks.
As it celebrates six years in 2025, Yanaya continues to transform eating habits and ignite a wellness culture that feels truly homegrown.
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