When jobs are scarce and migration costs soar, many young Zimbabweans feel stuck. But across the country, many young people are accepting that life is what it is and turning frustration into success. Their stories aren’t overnight miracles, just proof that small beginnings still matter. In this article we look at some young Zimbabweans who have stood out.
1️⃣ Terrence Maphosa – KwaTerry, Mhondoro
With no formal culinary training, Maphosa built a thriving rural restaurant in Village 6, Ngezi. KwaTerry began as a weekend braai joint and now attracts city diners and tourists. His story shows how home soil — even far from town — can be turned into a destination.
2️⃣ Vimbai Dzingirai – Croc & Fish Farming, Norton
When her peers chased office jobs, Dzingirai went farming — and not the usual kind. Starting small, she expanded into crocodiles and fish, tapping into export potential. Her courage reminds us that the next big thing may start in a backyard pond.
3️⃣ Kuda & Nyasha Musasiwa – Fresh In A Box, Harare
Born in a fuel crisis, built during lockdowns — Fresh In A Box grew out of frustration and necessity. The couple used tech and community trust to connect farmers with city households. It’s an example of turning challenges into blueprints and has been copied by other young people who are delivering fresh produce in urban areas.
4️⃣ Ryan Katayi – FarmHut Africa, Bulawayo
Related Stories
A university dropout turned coder, Katayi saw farmers losing money to middlemen and decided to build a solution. FarmHut is now a continental model for youth-led agritech — born from one man’s laptop and a stubborn belief that farmers deserve better.
5️⃣ Danayi Madondo – Haus of Stone, Harare
Madondo didn’t wait for Paris or Milan. She used what she had — fabric, family support, and vision — to build one of Zimbabwe’s most respected fashion houses. Her designs travel the world, but her base remains home.
6️⃣ The Vheneko Team – Natural Skincare, Harare
These young women built a self-care brand from indigenous oils — marula, baobab, and moringa — turning old knowledge into modern beauty. They’ve shown that global products can be proudly local.
7️⃣ Tatenda Madondo – GreenWorks Solar, Gweru
In a country where power cuts are daily news, Madondo found opportunity in the dark. His company installs affordable solar for clinics and homes, lighting up rural Zimbabwe one panel at a time.
The Key Takeaway
Not everyone can afford a plane ticket or access a startup loan — but everyone has something they can begin with: a skill, a plot of land, a laptop, or a dream. These stories remind us that hustle plus purpose is still a powerful currency.
Leave Comments