Vimbai Masiyiwa, is a 29-year-old businesswoman and co-founder of Batoka Africa, a purpose-driven hospitality company and the first black female-owned Safari Lodge group in Africa.
In her role as co-founder and Creative Director, she has led the strategic repositioning of Batoka Africa for investments in Zimbabwe and the expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her mission is to create sustainable social enterprises in the travel industry to empower communities and reimagine travel. She is working towards the development of the African tourism industry as a whole, changing the narrative around Africa.
Having spent most of her childhood in South Africa, Vimbai strives to empower the African dream of success through ecotourism and hospitality, particularly through the Tesse Fund. By contributing 10% of revenue from guest stays to the fund, Batoka Africa employees can spearhead projects that uplift their local communities.
Vimbai also champions mental health and is a member of the Future Mental Health Collective, Kokoro Change, and serves in an advisory capacity for globally renowned organisations including the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum.
Vimbai graduated with a BSc in Computer Information Systems from Bryant University, and a MSc in Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship sciences from University College London. She is currently based between London and Cape Town. She is the second eldest daughter of Tsitsi Masiyiwa and Strive Masiyiwa, a philanthropist and international business leader.