Origin Zim Heritage Foods
Matemba • Madora • Majuru • Ishwa

Protein from the
lake and the land

Four wild-harvested Zimbabwean proteins that no supermarket carries. Kariba kapenta from the lake. Mopane worms, termites and flying ants from the savanna. Each one a complete protein each one a taste that takes you straight back home.

4Proteins
100gPack size
WildHarvested
0Additives
Harvested from Lake Kariba • Zimbabwe–Zambia border Mopane woodlands • Matabeleland Savanna communities • Mashonaland
Seasonal availability: Majuru (dried termites) and Ishwa (flying ants) are harvested seasonally after the first rains. Stock may be limited outside season. WhatsApp us to check current availability before ordering.
UK customers — important: Kariba Kapenta (matemba) can be ordered for UK delivery — please WhatsApp us to confirm current import documentation and availability. Madora, Majuru and Ishwa are not currently available for commercial sale in Great Britain the UK Food Standards Agency requires novel food authorisation for insect species not on its approved list, and mopane worms, termites and flying ants are not yet on that list. These three products are available for Zimbabwe and South Africa delivery. UK customers: WhatsApp us to discuss your options.
Four wild-harvested proteins

The Savanna Proteins Collection

Sold in 100g packs — the traditional portion size. Each pack is dried, not processed, and carries no additives. High in complete protein, iron and healthy fats. The price you see is the price you pay — shipping included.

Every price is your final price. Shipping to UK, South Africa and Zimbabwe is included. All proteins sold in 100g packs only.
Kariba Kapenta Matemba kraft ziplock 100g – sun-dried lake sardine, Origin Zim Kariba Lake Lake Kariba • Zimbabwe
Matemba • Amatemba

Kariba Kapenta

Ndebele: Amatemba — Sun-Dried Lake Sardine

Tiny freshwater sardines hauled from Lake Kariba and sun-dried whole on the shore. The most versatile protein in the Zimbabwean kitchen eaten fried, stirred into relish, or crumbled over sadza. A taste that every Zimbabwean knows by smell alone.

~60g Protein / 100g Omega-3 High Calcium Vitamin D
Sold in 100g packs only — the traditional kapenta portion. Order multiple packs for bulk.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe (USD)$3.50 100g
🇿🇦 South Africa (ZAR)R140 100g
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — WhatsApp to confirm availabilityImport of dried freshwater fish to GB requires catch certificate and establishment approval. We confirm documentation status before dispatching UK orders.
ZW & SA prices final — shipping included

Kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon) was introduced into Lake Kariba in the 1960s and has since become one of Zimbabwe's most important food fish. Hauled at night by lamplight when the fish rise to the surface, the catch is spread on raised drying racks on the Kariba shoreline and sun-dried for two to three days. Known as matemba in Shona and amatemba in Ndebele the same fish, the same drying tradition, shared across Zimbabwe. Every kilogram of kapenta represents the labour of fishing communities whose livelihoods depend entirely on this lake.

Protein~60g / 100gComplete protein. Among the highest of any dried food.
Omega-3EPA & DHA presentHeart, brain and joint health. Anti-inflammatory.
Calcium~2,000mg / 100g200% of daily need. Eaten whole — bones included.
Vitamin DSun-dried sourceCritical for diaspora communities with limited sun exposure.
Phosphorus~1,300mg / 100g130% of daily need. Bone and energy metabolism.
Iron~7mg / 100g39% of daily need. Supports red blood cell production.

Values per 100g dry weight. Eaten whole — all minerals from bones are bioavailable.

Matemba in tomato sauce

  • 50g Kariba Kapenta / Matemba
  • 2 tomatoes, 1 onion, oil, salt
  • Optional: 1 green chilli

Method

  1. Rinse matemba quickly in cold water. Do not soak they will fall apart.
  2. Fry onion until soft, add tomato and cook until saucy.
  3. Add matemba whole. Stir gently they are fragile when wet.
  4. Simmer 5–7 minutes on low heat. Season. The bones soften completely.
Serve with Rapoko Mealie Meal Sadza and Mufushwa weCovo for the quintessential Zimbabwean dinner.
Madora Mopane Worms kraft ziplock 100g – dried caterpillar, Origin Zim Zimbabwe Most Sought After Mopane woodland • Zimbabwe
Madora • Amacimbi

Madora — Mopane Worms

Ndebele: Amacimbi — Dried Mopane Caterpillar

The most sought-after protein in the Zimbabwean diaspora. The emperor moth caterpillar (Gonimbrasia belina), harvested from mopane trees, gutted, salted and sun-dried. More protein than beef by weight. Nothing else tastes like this.

More protein than beef High Iron Healthy Fats Zinc & B12
Sold in 100g packs only. Order multiple packs a household typically uses 2–3 packs per meal.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe (USD)$4.50 100g
🇿🇦 South Africa (ZAR)R180 100g
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — not available for saleThe UK Food Standards Agency classifies mopane worms as a novel food. No authorisation exists for this species in Great Britain as of 2025. UK sale is not currently permitted. WhatsApp us to stay informed.
ZW & SA prices final — shipping included

Madora are the caterpillars of the emperor moth (Gonimbrasia belina), harvested from mopane trees across Zimbabwe's Matabeleland, Masvingo and parts of Mashonaland. Known as amacimbi in Ndebele and madora in Shona one of the few foods where both language communities share an identical tradition of preparation. Harvested by hand, gutted, salted and sun-dried. The drying concentrates the protein and creates the intense, smoky, earthy flavour that diaspora Zimbabweans describe as irreplaceable. The UK market has no equivalent which is why madora is consistently the most ordered protein we carry.

Protein~48–60g / 100gMore than beef (26g/100g). Complete amino acid profile.
Iron~31–77mg / 100gUp to 430% of daily need. Exceptional for anaemia prevention.
Healthy Fats~17g / 100gPredominantly unsaturated. Omega-6 and oleic acid present.
Zinc~26mg / 100g236% of daily need. Immune function, wound healing, fertility.
Vitamin B12PresentRare in plant-adjacent diets. Supports nerve function and red blood cells.
Phosphorus~530mg / 100g53% of daily need. Bone health and energy metabolism.

Values vary by harvest season and drying method. Per 100g dried weight.

Madora in onion & tomato

  • 100g Madora (mopane worms)
  • 2 tomatoes, 1 large onion, oil, salt
  • Optional: 1 tsp peanut butter to finish

Method

  1. Soak madora in warm water 10–15 minutes until they soften and plump up. Drain well.
  2. Fry onion in oil until golden. Add tomato and cook until the sauce is thick.
  3. Add madora. Fry together, stirring gently, for 8–10 minutes until fully heated through and slightly crispy at the edges.
  4. Season well. A small spoon of peanut butter stirred in at the end is optional but traditional.
Serve with Rapoko or Multigrain Sadza. Madora can also be eaten straight from the pan as a snack exactly as they are eaten at every rural homestead in Zimbabwe.
Majuru Dried Termites kraft ziplock 100g – seasonal, Origin Zim Zimbabwe Seasonal After first rains only Savanna • Mashonaland
Majuru • Amagenga

Majuru — Dried Termites

Ndebele: Amagenga — Dried Termites

Harvested from active mounds in the dry season using reeds and sticks an ancient technique unchanged for generations. Soldier termites, not flying ants. Dry-roasted in a clay pot with no oil, no additives. Crunchy, nutty, intensely flavoured. A skill, a season, a taste that cannot be farmed or rushed. Sold in 100g only limited harvest, no restocks until next season.

High Protein Essential Fatty Acids Iron & Magnesium Seasonal only
Dry season harvest — May to August only. WhatsApp us to confirm current stock before ordering.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe (USD)$4.00 100g
🇿🇦 South Africa (ZAR)R160 100g
🇬🇧 United Kingdom not available for saleTermites require UK novel food authorisation which has not been granted. Not available for commercial sale in Great Britain. WhatsApp us to stay informed of any changes.
ZW & SA prices final — shipping included when in stock

Majuru are soldier termites — not flying ants. That distinction matters. They are harvested from the great earthen mounds that rise from Zimbabwe's soil during the dry months, May to August. The harvester finds an active mound, scrapes open a gallery at the base, and slides a thin reed or stripped palm rib slowly inside. The soldiers lock their mandibles (teeth) onto it immediately that is their nature, to grip and hold in defence of intrusion . The reed is pulled back slowly and the termites stripped into a pot . Insert, pull, strip again and again until enough are collected. The queen chamber is never touched. The mound seals itself and can be harvested again the following season. Dry-roasted in a clay pot with no oil they release their own fat as they cook. If you grew up in rural Zimbabwe, you have done this. You know the reed, the mound, the pot.

Protein~38g / 100gComplete protein. Comparable to dried fish and legumes.
Fatty Acids~44g fat / 100gRich in linoleic and oleic acid. Heart-healthy unsaturated fats.
Iron~13mg / 100g72% of daily need. Significant source in traditional diets.
Magnesium~78mg / 100g19% of daily need. Supports heart and muscle function.
Calcium~32mg / 100g3% of daily need. Modest bone support.
Zinc~13mg / 100g118% of daily need. Immunity and cell growth.

Values per 100g dried weight. Season and drying method affect nutritional density.

Simple pan-roasted majuru

  • 100g dried majuru
  • Salt, a little oil or butter
  • Optional: pinch of chilli

Method

  1. Heat a dry pan. Add majuru and toast on medium heat 3–4 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden and crunchy.
  2. Drizzle a little oil or butter, toss well. Season with salt.
  3. Serve immediately they lose their crunch if they sit too long.
Eaten as a snack straight from the pan, or served alongside Sorghum Sadza and a vegetable relish. Majuru also work beautifully crumbled over a bowl of sadza the way croutons go over soup.
Ishwa Flying Ants kraft ziplock 100g – seasonal dried flying ants, Origin Zim Zimbabwe Rare Delicacy After first rains only Savanna • Zimbabwe
Ishwa • Izinhlwa

Ishwa — Flying Ants

Ndebele: Izinhlwa — Flying Ants

Flying ants emerge on nights after the first rains the whole community gathers to collect them. Cleaned, sun-dried and packed with no additives. Intensely nutty, slightly sweet. One of the rarest products in the diaspora market and one of the most memorable foods from a Zimbabwean childhood.

High Protein High in Good Fats Iron & Zinc One night harvest
Seasonal product — harvested on one or two weeks per year. Very limited stock. WhatsApp us to check availability.
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe (USD)$4.50 100g
🇿🇦 South Africa (ZAR)R180 100g
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — not available for saleFlying ants require UK novel food authorisation which has not been granted. Not available for commercial sale in Great Britain. WhatsApp us to stay informed of any changes.
ZW & SA prices final — shipping included when in stock

Ishwa (flying ants / Macrotermes species) are the winged reproductive caste of the same termite mounds that produce majuru but they fly only on one or two nights per year, immediately after the season's first heavy rain. The whole community knows what the sky means when it fills with them. Lanterns are placed near mound openings, the ants are attracted to the light, fall into containers and are collected by the kilogram within hours. Wings are removed, the ants are cleaned and dried immediately. The rarity is genuine unlike madora which can be stored season to season, ishwa are only available for a brief window each year. In the diaspora market, this is one of the rarest traditional foods that can be legally exported.

Protein~36–40g / 100gComplete protein with full essential amino acid profile.
Fat~40–45g / 100gHigh in oleic and linoleic acid. Anti-inflammatory fat profile.
Iron~5mg / 100g28% of daily need. Meaningful iron contribution to diet.
Zinc~6mg / 100g55% of daily need. Immune function and skin health.
Chitin (Fibre)Insect fibreEmerging research suggests chitin acts as a prebiotic. Supports gut microbiome.
Energy~540 kcal / 100gDense energy source. Ideal for active individuals.

Values per 100g dried weight. Nutritional profile may vary by harvest location and season.

Pan-roasted ishwa

  • 100g dried ishwa (flying ants)
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: squeeze of lemon

Method

  1. Clean ishwa . Pat dry if needed.
  2. Heat a dry pan on medium-high. Add ishwa in a single layer.
  3. Toast 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until golden, crunchy and fragrant.
  4. Season with salt. A squeeze of lemon lifts the natural nuttiness.
Eat as a snack immediately the crunch disappears quickly. Also excellent stirred into Multigrain Sadza or eaten alongside Mufushwa weNyevhe as a truly seasonal Zimbabwean plate.

About Seasonal Availability

Majuru and ishwa are only available for a few weeks each year immediately after Zimbabwe's first summer rains. We pack them as soon as the harvest is in and ship to stockists and direct orders in the same week. The easiest way to secure your pack is to WhatsApp us now and ask to be added to our seasonal notification list. We will message you the moment stock is available before we announce it anywhere else.

Complete Traditional Plates

Bundle with Mufushwa & Sadza

Every protein belongs on a plate with the right sadza and the right relish. These bundles are how Zimbabweans actually eat — all prices final, shipping included.

The Classic

The Heritage Plate

Kapenta matemba, rapoko sadza and mufushwa weCovo. The combination that has sustained Zimbabwean families for generations. The complete traditional dinner.

🇬🇧 £24.99  •  🇿🇦 R520  •  🇿🇼 $12.00
Shipping included
Madora Lovers

The Madora Feast

Madora mopane worms cooked the right way with multigrain sadza and nyevhe for a deeply traditional, intensely flavoured plate that nothing else comes close to.

🇿🇦 R700  •  🇿🇼 $16.50
Shipping to ZW & SA included — 🇬🇧 UK: not available (insects)
Gift Box

The Savanna Tasting Box

All four proteins in one gift box kapenta, madora, and when in season, majuru and ishwa. The gift for any Zimbabwean who has been abroad too long.

  • Kariba Kapenta 100g
  • Madora 100g
  • Majuru 100g (when in season)
  • Ishwa 100g (when in season)
🇿🇦 R580  •  🇿🇼 $14.00
Shipping to ZW & SA included — 🇬🇧 UK: Kapenta only, insects not available in GB
Seasonal items substituted if not available
Find us near you

Available in your city

Order direct or collect from a stockist in your city. Tap Map for directions, or WhatsApp us for the exact stockist address and current stock availability.

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Stock Origin Zim proteins — madora outsells every other product in stores that carry it. First reorder usually within two weeks.

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Interactive stockist map coming soon. For now tap Map next to any city for directions, or tap Ask us and we will send the exact stockist address and current protein stock levels via WhatsApp.

Everything about Savanna Proteins

Are madora (mopane worms) available year round?

Madora are harvested seasonally when the emperor moth caterpillars emerge typically late summer in Zimbabwe. We pack and store them to supply year-round where possible, but availability can be limited late in the season. WhatsApp us to confirm current stock.

What is the difference between majuru and ishwa?

Majuru are termites (Isoptera) , wingless or newly winged, harvested from mounds. Ishwa are the winged flying ant form of the same or related species, collected on the single night they fly. Ishwa are slightly larger, slightly nuttier in flavour, and available for an even shorter window than majuru. Both are seasonal and both are sold in 100g packs only.

Can I order madora, majuru and ishwa if I am in the UK?

Not currently through commercial sale. The UK Food Standards Agency requires novel food authorisation for any insect species sold as food in Great Britain. As of 2025, only three species have valid applications on file — yellow mealworm, house cricket and banded cricket. Mopane worms (Gonimbrasia belina), termites (Macrotermes) and flying ants are not on that list, which means they cannot legally be sold commercially in Great Britain at this time. We are monitoring the FSA's novel food process and will update customers as soon as the position changes. WhatsApp us to be added to a notification list.

Can I order Kariba Kapenta (matemba) if I am in the UK?

Potentially yes, but there are import documentation requirements that we confirm before dispatching UK orders. Commercial import of dried freshwater fish to Great Britain requires a catch certificate from Zimbabwe's fisheries authority and confirmation that the processing establishment is approved under UK import rules. We have all documentation to export to the UK. WhatsApp us for current UK availability and pricing.

Are the prices shown final — is shipping really included?

Yes. Every price on this page is your final price. Shipping to UK, South Africa and Zimbabwe is included. No additional charges when you order via WhatsApp.

How do I know if seasonal products are in stock?

The simplest way is to WhatsApp us and ask to be added to the seasonal notification list. We message our list first — before we post on social media — so you get the first opportunity to order when stock comes in.

Lake Kariba • Matabeleland • Mashonaland, Zimbabwe
+263 711 326 565
[email protected]
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