Besides being the first African woman to own a five-star luxury game lodge in Zimbabwe, Masiyiwa is also a cancer survivor, philanthropist and champion for self-love at only 27 years old.

As an entrepreneur and savvy businesswoman, Masiyiwa aims to use Batoka Lodges to re-energise much-needed economic investment for Zimbabwe, and to empower fellow African businesswomen through sustainability projects that will provide partnership and employment opportunities.Current partnerships include R&R Luxury, a natural, plant-based skincare brand from Guinea; and Patelli Teas, a Zimbabwean brand working on curating a specific new blend just for Batoka Lodges.

“A lot of establishments tend to partner only with South African businesses. They forget there is so much the rest of Africa has to offer,” Masiyiwa explains. “And I also think it’s very important to see them for what they are: our business partners who have valuable skills that we can both benefit from. I think tourism can be a catalyst for local economic growth through creating opportunity beyond just employment.”

Masiyiwa says that she aims to stimulate such opportunity by partnering with local farmers, leasing property from local communities, and purchasing baskets and crafts from local artists to display and sell in the lodge.