Zimbabwean Foods and Ingredients Available in the UK: Where to Buy Sadza, Matemba, Covo and More

Recreating the taste of home is one of the most deeply felt needs of the Zimbabwean diaspora, and the good news is that the UK market for authentic Zimbabwean and Southern African groceries has grown considerably. Whether you are after maize meal for sadza, dried matemba, covo, or even madora, there are now several reliable ways to source these ingredients without resorting to expensive substitutes. **The Staples: Maize Meal and Roller Meal** Sadza begins with the right maize meal, and not all brands are equal. In Zimbabwe, Pearlenta is the household name, though it is not always easily available in the UK. The most widely accessible alternative is Iwisa, a South African brand that is broadly similar in texture and produces a good sadza. It is sold in 1kg, 5kg, and 10kg bags, making it practical whether you are cooking for one or feeding a crowd. Hippo Foods (hippofoods.co.uk) stocks Mugaiwa Roller Meal in 5kg bags at around £9.99, as well as white maize kernels, pearl millet (mapfunde), finger millet (zviyo), and samp (manhuchu). They offer free delivery on orders over £60 and deliver to mainland UK within up to four working days. Iwisa maize meal is also available on Amazon UK, which is convenient if you need a small quantity quickly or want next-day delivery. **Specialist Zimbabwean Online Stores** Several dedicated Zimbabwean food retailers now operate in the UK: **GazMart** (gazmart.co.uk) was established in 2018 and focuses specifically on Zimbabwean home foods. They stock Mazoe Orange Crush — the iconic Zimbabwean squash — alongside a range of Zimbabwean snacks, condiments, and pantry staples. Their stated aim is to provide authentic products at affordable prices, without the premium that some general African grocery stores charge. **Hippo Foods** (hippofoods.co.uk) is one of the more established Southern African food specialists in the UK. Beyond maize meal, they carry sugar beans, peanuts (nzungu), brown and red rice, sorghum, and various spices and condiments familiar to Zimbabwean cooks. **Hungwe Tuckshop** (hungwetuckshop.co.uk) is a London-based operation with a collection point at Woolwich Arsenal. They carry madora (mopane worms), baobab (mauyu), Cerevita, Freezits, groundnuts, and traditional wooden cooking utensils including the mugoti (sadza stirrer), musika, and mugwati. They also do city-to-city tours, so it is worth contacting them on 07472 350503 to find out when they may be visiting your area. **4Way Foods** (4wayfoods.com) is a broader African grocery supermarket with both online ordering and nationwide delivery covering London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Cardiff, Southampton, and many other cities. They stock the ingredients needed for sadza and nyama, including muboora (pumpkin leaves) and other African leafy greens. Delivery is typically 48–72 hours, and they operate Monday to Sunday, 8:30am to 9pm. **Fresh Vegetables: Covo, Muboora, and Rape** Finding fresh Zimbabwean leafy greens is harder than finding dry goods, but not impossible. Covo, rape, and muboora (pumpkin leaves) are sometimes stocked at African and Caribbean grocery shops in areas with large diaspora populations — particularly Peckham, Woolwich, Harlesden, and Handsworth in Birmingham. 4Way Foods lists fresh African greens on their site, and availability varies seasonally. For those who cannot find the exact leaves, kale and collard greens are the closest widely available substitutes and work reasonably well as accompaniments to sadza. **Matemba (Dried Fish)** Dried matemba — small freshwater fish typically eaten as a relish — can be found at African and Asian grocery shops, particularly those that cater to Southern and East African communities. Brixton Market and Peckham in London are reliable hunting grounds. Some online African grocery platforms list dried kapenta or similar dried fish, and these can serve the same purpose. **Snacks and Drinks** For those craving maputi (roasted maize), Freezits, Cheeky Chilli sauce, King Kurls, or Mazoe, GazMart, Hungwe Tuckshop, and Hippo Foods are the most consistent suppliers. Mazoe is particularly sought after and tends to sell out quickly, so ordering in bulk when it is in stock is advisable. Boerewors, the South African sausage that pairs well with sadza, is available through several African food websites in the UK. Search specifically for boerewors delivery UK, and look for the classic or garlic flavour variants. **ZimGroceries for Sending Food Home** If you want to send groceries to family in Zimbabwe rather than buying for yourself in the UK, ZimGroceries (zimgroceries.co.uk) operates a different model — you browse and pay from the UK, and they handle delivery in Harare and surrounding areas within three to five business days. They also offer hamper-building options for birthdays and special occasions. **Practical Tips** Buying in bulk reduces the cost per unit significantly, particularly for maize meal, sugar beans, and peanuts. Many of these stores also offer buy-any-two deals or bulk purchase options. Joining Zimbabwean community WhatsApp groups and Facebook groups in your city is also a reliable way to find out about local pop-up sellers, community bulk orders, and new stockists as they emerge.