By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
For most, a favorite drink is a simple pleasure.
For Thembani Ngwenya of Umzingwane, it has been a faithful companion for nearly six decades.
This week, that lifelong loyalty was repaid in a spectacular way when the 57-year Mazoe enthusiast was crowned the biggest winner in the Mazoe Magic Buy and Win promotion.
At a vibrant prize-giving ceremony at Schweppes in Harare, a beaming Ngwenya accepted the top prize—a complete solar system—to wild applause. His winning secret? Pure, unwavering enjoyment.
Schweppes Zimbabwe Managing Director Stanley Muchenje
“I have always found joy in drinking Mazoe. It’s been my favorite for 57 years,” Ngwenya shared, holding his winning certificate like a cherished memory. “Now, to drink what you love and win for doing it . . . it is a very good feeling.”
His story transformed a promotional event into a heartwarming celebration of consistency. Ngwenya’s relationship with the iconic orange crush beverage spans most of Zimbabwe’s post-independence history, a personal tradition that has now literally brought light to his home.
“That gentleman was saying he’s going to light up his home in Umzingwane,” said Schweppes Zimbabwe Managing Director Stanley Muchenje, highlighting the prize’s impact. “It’s more than a promotion; it’s about rewarding the everyday moments that make up our lives.”
The promotion, which saw activations at 371 centers across the country, culminated in rewarding not just consumers but the community spirit around the brand.
Schweppes Zimbabwe Financial Director
Following Ngwenya, Rodreck Hove secured second place, while Rumbidzai Musikavanhu won a year’s supply of Mazoe—a prize that promises to make her home “very popular,” Muchenje joked.
For Schweppes, the campaign’s success—boosting sales by over 18%—is a testament to a deep national bond.
“This promotion speaks to the testimony of just how much Mazoe is loved,” Muchenje reflected.
“It’s the brand you see in suitcases at the airport, flying out to the diaspora. We are now taking this taste of home to the UK, Europe, the Americas, and across the region.”
But behind the export figures and growth percentages, Thursday’s celebration was truly about people like Thembani Ngwenya.
A man whose simple, steady habit since his youth carried him to a sunny win, proving that sometimes, the sweetest rewards come to those who simply remain true to what they love.
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