THE STORY OF AMANZI
established in 2oooamanzi’s founders
Amanzi was founded by Andrew and Julia Mama, whose focus has been to create memorable and bespoke experiences for their guests.
where it all began…
Andrew and Julia emigrated to Zimbabwe as British investors, in January 1998. They immediately began planning Amanzi Restaurant, which opened to great fanfare, on 19th April 2000. The restaurant was truly a labour of love, evidenced by the unusual decor, the stunning gardens with their dramatic water feature, and of course – the innovative fusion food.
Amanzi’s legacy is remembered today for their open doors approach to a truly international clientele, for their cultural events, for raising money for worthy causes, for creating a “Thursday night” culture on Harare’s quietest night of the week!
Amanzi Restaurant will be well loved and well remembered, but post pandemic a decision was made to rebrand the restaurant and join forces with old friends Duncan & Yvette Barker. They arrived back in Harare in 2021, after years away, running restaurants in Australia and South Africa. Amanzi already had a stellar reputation in Harare and the new alliance with Khaya Nyama Wombles saw the launch of a new restaurant powerhouse in Harare.
A TURN OF EVENTS
The story has a circular tale. In 2003 Barkers Lodge was sold by Duncan and Yvette to Andrew and Julia to refurbish and create Amanzi Lodge. 19 years later Andrew and Julia Mama team up with Duncan and Yvette Barker, to resurrect as Wombles in Harare. Wombles now offers a first class dining experience in one of Harare’s oldest and much loved establishments – 158 Enterprise Road, Highlands.
The Amanzi brand remains on site creating landscaped gardens and keeping Harare green. Amanzi means flowing water in Ndebele and if you visit our Amanzi sites around Harare you will notice there is always a water feature with flowing water. This has inspired others and it can be said that not many restaurants and lodges open in Harare without a water feature these days. If this is our legacy, then it makes us proud. We are now looking to the future and trying to create another legacy. We are recreating many of our landscapes to water wise gardens that need little water during the dry season.
We hope to showcase how an explosion of water wise plants and rocks can bring colour and creativity to the most barren gardens.
WHAT WE DO
LANDSCAPES & WATER
+263 788 668 444
RESTAURANT JDB
+263 788 793 400
KHAYA NYAMA WOMBLES
+263 242 497 768
WE’RE ON TRIPADVISOR
LODGE & HOUSES
Phone
+263 242 499 257
reservations@amanzi.co.zw
AMANZI LODGE Address
1 Masasa Lane, Kambanji, Harare