Zimbabwean Food Ingredients in the UK: Where to Find Sadza, Matemba, Chibuku and More

Recreating the tastes of home in the UK is one of the most meaningful acts of cultural continuity for Zimbabweans in the diaspora. Whether it is a proper sadza ne nyama dinner on a Sunday, a bowl of matemba with tomatoes, or muriwo une dovi, most of the ingredients needed are available in Britain — if you know where to look. **Mealie Meal and Sadza Ingredients** White maize meal for sadza is sold at most African and Caribbean food shops across the UK. The most commonly found brands are Roller Meal and Ufa Wekumusha, though South African brands such as Iwisa and No. 1 Gold Medal are widely stocked and produce near-identical results. These are available in 2kg, 5kg, and 10kg bags. In London, well-stocked African grocery shops can be found in Peckham (particularly along Rye Lane), Dalston, Brixton, Harlesden, and Woolwich. Outside London, look for African shops in Birmingham's Handsworth and Lozells areas, Bristol's Easton neighbourhood, Leeds around Chapeltown Road, Manchester's Moss Side and Hulme, Sheffield, and Leicester. Many of these shops are run by Zimbabweans, Zambians, or other southern Africans and specifically stock products familiar to that community. Online retailers including Africa Foods UK, Afro-Caribbean Food Store, and various Amazon and eBay sellers stock mealie meal and ship across the UK. **Matemba (Dried Fish)** Dried kapenta — the small freshwater fish known as matemba in Zimbabwe — is available at most African grocery shops that cater to southern or central African communities. It is sometimes labelled simply as dried kapenta, matemba, or occasionally as dagaa (the East African equivalent). It is sold in small bags typically ranging from 200g to 500g. The quality and freshness varies, so shops with high turnover tend to stock better product. Peckham, Brixton, and Harlesden in London are reliable areas. Some shops also stock larger dried fish varieties. **Chibuku and Traditional Beverages** Chibuku (opaque sorghum beer) is not legally manufactured or sold in the UK in its traditional form due to food safety regulations and the short shelf life of the product. However, Chibuku Shake Shake in its sealed carton format is occasionally imported and sold at specialist African shops, particularly in London. Availability is inconsistent — it is worth calling ahead to shops in Peckham or Harlesden. Some Zimbabwean social events and community gatherings serve it informally. For non-alcoholic traditional beverages, mahewu (a fermented maize drink) is sometimes stocked in powdered form, and a few shops carry it pre-made. Lacto, a South African branded mahewu, appears in some African shops. **Leafy Greens and Vegetables** Muriwo (rape or collard greens), chomolia (kale), and covo (a broad-leafed green similar to collards) are increasingly available at African grocery shops and some larger markets. In summer months, these are also sold at market stalls. Frozen varieties of muriwo and covo are available at larger African supermarkets and occasionally at mainstream supermarkets in areas with large African communities. Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and okra are now widely available in mainstream UK supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, and Sainsbury's. Peanut butter (groundnut paste) suitable for dovi is sold at most African shops, often in large jars labelled as peanut paste or groundnut butter. **Maputi and Snacks** Maputi (roasted maize) and other Zimbabwean snacks are sold at some African grocery shops and at Zimbabwean community events. They also appear on online marketplaces, with sellers based in the UK shipping directly. **Online and Community Sources** Several UK-based Zimbabwean entrepreneurs sell food products online, including through Facebook groups such as Zimbabweans in the UK and WhatsApp community networks. These informal networks are often the best source for hard-to-find items like mahewu, specific sadza brands, or fresh madora (mopane worms), which appear occasionally dried or canned. For those wishing to send food ingredients to Zimbabwe rather than source them locally, note that HMRC and Royal Mail rules restrict many food items in international post — see ZiRA's separate entries on sending goods to Zimbabwe for guidance.