Zimbabwean Grocery Shopping in the UK: Where to Find Sadza, Matemba, Mahewu and Other Home Foods

For Zimbabweans in the UK, finding the right maize meal, a bottle of Mazoe, or a packet of Willards Thingz is not merely about food — it is about maintaining a connection to home. Fortunately, a growing network of online retailers and physical African shops now makes it possible to source most Zimbabwean staples without leaving the country. ## Online Zimbabwean and Southern African Retailers **Zimfoods (zimfoods.co.uk)** is one of the most dedicated UK-based online stores for Zimbabwean products. Based in Birmingham, they stock a broad range of goods including Lobels biscuits (Lemon Creams, Custard Creams, Vanilla Creams, Bermuda Creams), Colcom products, Royco Usavi Mix in both chicken and beef flavours, Cerevita (available in banana and chocolate malt variants at wholesale prices of around £170–£180 per box of 24), Family Peanut Butter for dovi, and fresh mauyu. They offer tracked delivery and have shipped to customers across the UK and internationally. Sale prices are regularly available, often at roughly half the standard retail price. **GazMart (gazmart.co.uk)** was established in 2018 and positions itself as a supplier of Zimbabwean home foods delivered across the UK. Their range includes Mazoe cordial, Lobels biscuits, Dairibord Pfuko, and assorted grocery staples. Their emphasis is on affordable pricing without the premium often charged at physical African shops. **Kalahari Moon (kalaharimoon.co.uk)**, based in Bristol (telephone: +44 117 929 9879), stocks an impressive range of Zimbabwean products. Their current listings include Dairibord Udiwo Maheu 500ml (£1.95), Dairibord Pfuko Maheu Buttermilk 500ml (£1.95), Schweppes Mazoe Orange 2L (£8.50), Mazoe Cream Soda 2L (£8.50), Mazoe Raspberry 2L (£8.50), Maputi Maize Snack 50g (£0.95), Yugo Nyimo Beans 500g (£3.45), Willards Korn Kurls 100g (£3.35), Willards Jupiters 150g (£3.25), Willards Chicken Flings 100g (£3.35), Charhons Quality Biscuits 500g (£2.95), Royco Usavi Mix Beef 75g (£2.35), Monati Super Mabela Porridge 5kg (£12.95), and Cheeky Chilli Peri Peri Sauce in 100ml (£2.95) and 200ml (£4.30). Stock levels vary, so checking frequently is advisable. **The South African Spaza Shop (southafricanshop.uk)** covers Southern African groceries broadly and stocks Zimbabwean lines including Willards Thingz, Maputi Salted puffed maize snacks, Charhons Quality Biscuits, and Cheeky Chilli sauces. They offer nationwide UK delivery. **4way Foods (4wayfoods.com)** is a broader African supermarket online that carries Zimbabwean staples including sadza (maize meal), Mazoe drinks, Dairibord Pfuko, sugar beans, and peanut butter. They also stock items from other African cuisines, making them useful for households with mixed culinary preferences. **ZimGroceries (zimgroceries.co.uk)** operates differently from the above — rather than delivering to UK addresses, they allow diaspora members to shop online and have groceries delivered to family in Zimbabwe, with delivery in Harare and surrounding areas within three to five business days. This is a practical option for supporting relatives at home rather than sourcing food for yourself in the UK. ## What to Look For and Where to Find It **Sadza / Maize Meal:** White maize meal brands like Roller and Ufa are widely available at African and Caribbean grocery shops in cities with significant African communities — London (Peckham, Brixton, Woolwich, Tottenham), Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol. South African brands such as Iwisa are more widely distributed and serve as a reasonable substitute, available in mainstream supermarkets and online. **Matemba (dried kapenta):** Dried fish is stocked at most African food shops, particularly those with Southern or East African produce. The smell during cooking is distinctive, so many UK-based Zimbabweans keep it for special occasions or when cooking for guests from home. **Covo and Rape (leafy greens):** Fresh covo is harder to source year-round. African and Caribbean grocery shops in larger cities sometimes stock it, particularly in London. Frozen alternatives are available in some shops. Collard greens sold in Caribbean grocers are a common practical substitute. **Mahewu / Pfuko:** Dairibord Pfuko Maheu and Udiwo Maheu in 500ml cartons are available through Kalahari Moon and other online Zimbabwean retailers. Shelf-stable versions travel well. **Mazoe:** The iconic Zimbabwean cordial is the most widely distributed Zimbabwean product in the UK. Schweppes Mazoe in orange, raspberry, and cream soda flavours is available through multiple online retailers and some African shops. The 2L bottle typically retails around £8.50 online. **Nyimo Beans and Sugar Beans:** Available through Kalahari Moon and other online African grocers. These do not require refrigeration and are generally available year-round. **Snacks (Willards, Maputi, Charhons, Lobels):** The full range of Zimbabwean biscuits and crisps — Lobels Lemon Creams, Charhons biscuits, Willards Thingz, Korn Kurls, Chicken Flings, Maputi — are available through Zimfoods, Kalahari Moon, and The South African Spaza Shop. **Cerevita and Mabela Porridge:** Wholesale and retail options available through Zimfoods and Kalahari Moon. ## Practical Tips Delivery costs can add significantly to smaller orders, so it is worth combining purchases or meeting minimum order thresholds for free delivery where available. Many online Zimbabwean retailers run sales, sometimes at 50% off standard prices, so signing up to mailing lists or checking back regularly pays off. For fresh produce like covo, building a relationship with a local African or Caribbean greengrocer gives more reliable access than online ordering. Stock of specialist Zimbabwean items can sell out quickly, particularly around Zimbabwean cultural events, Christmas, and Easter.