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Zimbabwe peanut butter boss: Getting into supermarkets was the biggest battle

Published

4 years ago

March 11, 2022

Nobukhosi Ndlovu launched Nutrie Foods in July 2013 in Harare, Zimbabwe.

At the time, she was employed as an HR consultant and had a few small businesses on the side, but she always had a dream of commercialising the production of the peanut butter her mom had made at home in the rural community of Zhombe.

Today, the company manufactures peanut butter, mixed fruit jam and marmalade.

It also packages honey, sugar beans, soya chunks and rice under its brand, which is sold in various supermarkets and smaller local stores in the country.

Jeanette Clark speaks to Ndlovu about the challenge of getting consumer packaged goods on supermarket shelves and the growing demand for healthier food.

No finance, no equipment

Ndlovu’s first hurdle was securing the finance needed for the equipment required to produce peanut butter on a commercial scale.

“I did the research and determined I would need equipment to the tune of US$20,000,” she explains.

And so, the knocking on doors began but traditional banks had no good news for her; they required collateral that she did not have.

Finally, a friend referred her to a microfinance institution co-founded by two Zimbabwean women and Ndlovu set off to secure an appointment.

On day one, however, she was blocked by the gatekeeping receptionist.

Undeterred, she returned the next day and her spirited and loud debate with the same receptionist got the attention of the CEO, who was in the building.

“She asked that the receptionist let me in and, armed with my business plan that outlined the funding required for the equipment, which could then be used as collateral for the payments, I got the loan,” says Ndlovu.

Nutrie Foods moved its operations into a small rented warehouse in Willowvale, an industrial suburb in Harare, that had three-phase electricity to run the equipment.

“In the beginning, I was everything in that business. I sold my car and bought a small delivery van.

“In the morning, I would buy groundnuts at the farmers’ market, then I would go to the warehouse to manufacture and bottle the peanut butter and, around 5pm, I would visit the local tuck and spaza shops to sell the product,” she recalls.

“The next day, the revenue earned from the sales would be used to repeat the routine.”

The microfinance company noticed her diligent repayments on the loan and granted her another loan for working capital.

The headache of getting into retail stores

Ndlovu readily admits that getting her products listed was her biggest battle. (She once po sted on Facebook: “Producing a product is easy; getting it to market is death.”)

To supply these stores, Nutrie Foods’ capacity needed to be ramped up, so for the first year, Ndlovu did not even approach the bigger supermarkets, making sure to establish the operation first.

However, once she did approach them, there were many requirements and demands.

She had to deal with requests to change her labelling and packaging and overcome the hurdle of paying a listing fee of US$2,500, capital she simply did not have as a new start-up.

“I tried to negotiate and offered to provide the value of the listing fee in stock, but to no avail.

“When I look at it now, it was hectic and I felt like I was running around to please them but it was absolutely worth it.

“Supermarkets are where the money is made in a business where your margins are small and you have to push volumes.”

It was only in 2018, a week before her birthday, the first big retailer gave her the news that Nutrie Foods would be listed.

“I said to myself, this is my present! I don’t need anything else!” she remembers.

Nutrie Foods products are now available in various major retail stores such as Pick n Pay, Spar, OK and wholesalers such as N Richards.

Boosting factory output

Ndlovu highlights another breakthrough for business growth.

In 2016, she was selected to join the Mandela Washington Fellowship as part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

She spent some time in the US and got the opportunity to present her business plan in a competition.

The announcement that she was one of the winners came with the very welcome prize of a US$25,000 grant.

“That grant changed my life because I used it to empower the women who were supplying me with groundnuts.

“I was able to obtain seed and fertiliser for them to increase production.

“At the time, we were doing about one tonne every 24 hours, and then we moved it up to three or four tonnes per shift.”

The fact that Nutrie Foods could show a successful processing facility with this increased output meant that it was able to approach banks for further loans from a stronger footing.

“I had property, I had shown growth. I managed to get a loan and buy a new production line in 2018 that does 10 tonnes per shift and is automated,” says Ndlovu.

Currently, the plant can produce about 12,000 bottles of peanut butter per day.

Expanding the range

Ndlovu added additional products to her line-up almost immediately after starting the business.

“When at the market to get groundnuts, I would see some of the farmers had honey to sell.

“The honey did not require much from me as I already had the peanut butter containers that I could use.”

In the second year, Nutrie Foods simply added sugar beans when purchasing the honey and groundnuts from the farmers.

Over the years, products like jam were added, which did require a bit more value addition and processing, and in 2019, Nutrie Foods began importing Kilombero rice from Malawi to package under its brand for sale as a premium rice product.

While the brand is still best known for its volume-seller peanut butter, it is not the company’s most profitable product.

“It remains our fastest-moving product but honey brings in a bigger profit.

“The rice, as a premium product, also has better margins, but it is on the expensive side, whereas the peanut butter is an affordable commodity.”

According to Ndlovu, Covid-19 undoubtedly had an impact on consumer behaviour.

Honey sales were driven up by an increase in health consciousness and an awareness of the benefit of honey and ginger for certain symptoms of the virus.

“Many people changed to healthier diets.

“They were buying peanut butter to use as a cooking alternative for oil and drinking honey in their tea,” she says.

The trend is so pronounced that Nutrie Foods is investigating healthier grains for its product offering.

“People have stopped consuming the heavy maize meal dish of sadza.

“We are looking to add finger millet.”

Exports and growth plans

After the purchase of the new plant in 2018, Nutrie Foods investigated the certifications required to export its products.

The advent of the pandemic in 2020 put these plans on hold for a while although Ndlovu believes it’s high time to restart that process.

“With our natural products, I think we would have a market everywhere, but the plan is to first look towards our neighbours in the African region,” she says. – How we made it in Africa

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Lifestyle

Marvin Dube: Spreading hope and gratitude through gospel music

Published

2 days ago

October 24, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Born in Kadoma and raised across various towns in Zimbabwe, gospel artist Marvin Dube carries with him the deep spiritual and cultural roots of his Tonga heritage from Junamina village in Binga. Now based in the United Kingdom, Marvin is making waves in the gospel music scene, using his voice and message to uplift, heal, and inspire.

Following his previous single “Munoziva Zvose”, Marvin continues to evolve as a gospel minister and artist. His latest songs, Tinetariro and Tendai Mwari, showcase a refreshing mix of faith, gratitude, and reflection on the moral and spiritual challenges facing society today.

Below are excerpts from his interview with Nokuthaba Dlamini, Managing Editor for VicFallsLive, where Marvin opened up about his inspiration, journey, and the purpose behind his new work.

What inspired these new songs, and what message do you hope listeners take away from them?

Marvin Dube:

Both Tinetariro and Tendai Mwari were born out of reflection and prayer. Tinetariro speaks about hope — the kind that reminds us we are God’s children, even in times of moral decline and confusion. I was inspired by the challenges we are facing today, especially among the youth. Many have lost direction and respect, and social media has become a space where spiritual values are often mocked.

I wanted to use Tinetariro to remind people that there’s still hope for our generation — that God hasn’t forgotten us.

Tendai Mwari carries a message of gratitude. It encourages us to appreciate God for the little we have and to remain thankful even before we receive the big things we dream of — the car, the house, the job. Gratitude opens doors, and I want listeners to embrace that attitude of thankfulness every day.

How do these songs reflect your personal journey or growth as a gospel artist?

Marvin Dube:

These songs mark a point of maturity in my journey. I’ve grown to understand that gospel music is more than melody — it’s ministry. I now write with more purpose, aiming to address real issues affecting believers and society. Tinetariro and Tendai Mwari reflect my growth in both faith and artistry, showing that gospel music can heal, correct, and inspire all at once.

Can you tell us about the creative process, from writing to production, and who you worked with on this project?

Marvin Dube:

My creative process is very spiritual and organic. I draw a lot of inspiration from preaching. Often, a melody will start as a small tune in my mind — it keeps ringing until I can’t ignore it. Usually, the chorus comes first. I then take time to pray for inspiration to write the verses so that the message aligns with what God wants to say through the song.

After that, I play the song on my guitar, record a rough version, and share it with the producer or the band I’ll be working with. For this project, I worked with Hertz Records, who have produced all my music to date. They truly understand my sound and help me bring my ideas to life.

I also want to give a special shout-out to my wife, Leonora, and my two little kids. They’ve been my biggest supporters and motivation throughout this journey. Their love and encouragement mean everything to me.

How do you see gospel music evolving in Zimbabwe and Africa, and where do you see your work fitting into that movement?

Marvin Dube:

Gospel music in Zimbabwe and across Africa is evolving in powerful ways. Artists are finding new ways to reach wider audiences by blending traditional gospel messages with contemporary sounds. It’s exciting to see how the gospel is being shared in modern, relatable ways — especially among young people.

I see my work fitting right into that movement. My goal is to be a bridge between generations — to deliver timeless spiritual truths with a fresh, modern sound that speaks to today’s world while staying true to the Word of God.

What has been the most powerful reaction or testimony you’ve received from people who have listened to your music?

Marvin Dube:

One of the most powerful testimonies I’ve received came from a young listener who said Tinetariro gave them hope again after going through a very dark season. They told me the song reminded them that God still has a plan for their life. Hearing that touched me deeply. It’s moments like those that remind me this is more than music — it’s ministry, and I’m humbled that God is using my songs to touch lives.

Closing Note

Marvin Dube:

I’m truly grateful for the love and support I’ve received for Tinetariro and Tendai Mwari. If you haven’t listened yet, both songs are available on all streaming platforms and on my YouTube channel, Marvin Dube. The year 2026 will be even more exciting, with several projects already in motion that I believe will uplift and bless many lives.

National

Zimbabwe moves to establish tough drug control agency amid rising substance abuse crisis

Published

4 days ago

October 22, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

As Zimbabwe battles a surge in drug and substance abuse, the government has tabled a new Bill in Parliament seeking to establish a powerful agency to coordinate enforcement, rehabilitation, and prevention programmes across the country.

The National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency Bill (H.B. 12, 2025) proposes the creation of a dedicated agency mandated to combat the supply and demand of illicit drugs, provide rehabilitation services, and strengthen coordination between law enforcement and social service institutions.

According to the explanatory memorandum of the Bill, the agency will operate under two main divisions — a Social Services Intervention Division to focus on prevention, treatment and community rehabilitation, and an Enforcement Division to target supply chains, trafficking networks, and related financial crimes.

The legislation describes drug abuse as “a grave internal national security threat” and “a public health crisis” that fuels organised crime, corruption and violence. It notes that drug profits have enabled criminal cartels to “purchase the instrumentalities of crime, including weapons,” and to corrupt both civilian and non-civilian public officials.

Under the new framework, the agency will have powers to:

Investigate and arrest individuals involved in drug trafficking and production;
Work jointly with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, and Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe;
Establish checkpoints at ports of entry and exit to intercept harmful substances; and
Expand the legal definition of “harmful drugs” to include emerging synthetic substances, in consultation with the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.

The Social Services Division will lead prevention campaigns, develop demand-reduction programmes, and facilitate the creation of rehabilitation and detoxification centres nationwide. It will also introduce a monitoring system requiring schools, employers, and local authorities to adopt anti-drug awareness and intervention programmes within 90 days of the Act’s commencement.

Each province and district will host offices of the agency to decentralise services and ensure community-level engagement, while traditional leaders will help devise local prevention strategies.

The Bill further empowers the agency to employ prosecutors from the National Prosecuting Authority to handle drug-related cases, signalling a shift toward specialised prosecution of narcotics offences. It also introduces a new, stricter “standard scale of fines” and penalties for drug crimes — higher than those prescribed under existing criminal laws.

In a major development, the proposed law integrates the agency into Zimbabwe’s Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, allowing it to pursue unexplained wealth orders and seize assets linked to drug cartels.

The Bill stresses rehabilitation and social reintegration as key pillars. It obliges the agency to support affected individuals through psychosocial counselling, vocational training, and community wellness programmes aimed at helping addicts rebuild their lives.

If passed, the National Drug and Substance Abuse Control and Enforcement Agency will replace fragmented anti-drug efforts currently scattered across ministries and law enforcement agencies, creating a central authority to drive national strategy and coordination.

Parliament is expected to debate the Bill in the coming weeks amid growing concern over youth addiction to crystal meth, cough syrups, and other illicit substances that have taken root in both urban and rural communities.

National

Hwange unit 8 breaks down, deepening Zimbabwe’s power supply challenges

Published

5 days ago

October 21, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

ZESA Holdings has announced that Hwange Unit 8 has been taken off the national grid following a technical fault, a development expected to worsen Zimbabwe’s persistent electricity shortages.

In a statement released on Monday, the power utility said the unit would be out of service for ten days while restoration work is carried out.

“Hwange Unit 8 has been taken off the grid due to a technical fault. The unit will be out of service for 10 days while restoration work is carried out,” ZESA said.

The company said Hwange Unit 7 remains operational, generating 335 megawatts (MW) to support system stability, while power generation at Kariba South Power Station has been ramped up with “careful management of water allocations” to compensate for the temporary shortfall.

ZESA apologized for the inconvenience and appealed for public understanding as engineers work to restore the unit.

Zimbabwe has faced recurring electricity supply challenges over the past two decades, driven by ageing infrastructure, limited generation capacity, and low water levels at Kariba Dam. While the commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8 in 2023 brought some relief, frequent breakdowns have continued to disrupt supply, forcing industries and households to endure prolonged load-shedding.

The latest fault at Hwange comes at a time when power demand is surging across the country, particularly during the hot season when air conditioning and irrigation systems increase pressure on the grid.

Energy experts say the outage highlights the need for greater investment in maintenance, renewable energy, and grid modernization to stabilize Zimbabwe’s power supply in the long term.