Mbano Manor Hotel: Zimbabwean excellence reaches global heights

My visit to Victoria Falls last week was both productive and impactful. In addition to my Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) speaking engagement, two world-class Zimbabweans created time for me, namely Dr Matifadza (Mati) Nyazema and Larry Norton. 

This post is about Mati. Later in the week, l will share my thoughts about the amazing Victoria Falls based Larry.

Mati has achieved what many thought impossible, creating Zimbabwe’s first luxury boutique hotel owned by a Black female entrepreneur, now recognised among TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2025. 

From her beginnings as a television news editor at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), Mati’s journey embodies extraordinary resilience. Armed with a PhD in Business Management and decades of experience at British Airways, Sandton Convention Centre, and Southern Sun Hotels, she transformed a childhood memory of visiting Victoria Falls into a world-class reality. 

After courting over 100 sceptical investors who couldn’t envision “a Black woman opening five-star lodging,” Mati secured funding from local Zimbabwean pension funds. Her $8 million investment created Mbano Manor Hotel Victoria Falls - 18 elegant suites nestled in a pristine 4-acre teak forest, just 10 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage site. 

The hotel’s eco-luxury design preserves its natural environment, removing only two trees during construction. Hand-painted tiles, oversized bathtubs, and teak furniture complement African art throughout, while The Terrace restaurant serves regional specialities like mazondo and chomolia from the hotel’s own garden. 

TIME Magazine specifically praised Mati’s historic achievement and the hotel’s community impact, employing 34 staff from surrounding townships while providing internships for local hospitality students. The recognition follows the hotel’s 2024 Best Boutique Lodge Award and official 5-star grading. 

Opening in January 2020, just weeks before the global pandemic, Mbano Manor exemplifies triumph over adversity. As the first development in Victoria Falls’ western tourism zone, it brought essential infrastructure while positioning Zimbabwe as a luxury destination competing with global standards. 

Mati’s success story proves that with determination and expertise, African women are redefining the continent’s hospitality landscape—one world-class experience at a time. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my one-night stay at this luxury hotel courtesy of ACCA, which had invited me to speak at their Members Winter School. Mati has been a guest on In Conversation With Trevor