A “glamorous philanthropist”, a pyjama party aficionado, a documentarian who likes pink flamingo pool floats, and an heir enjoying his New York apartment with Central Park views…
Tatler magazine’s portrayal of Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa’s four kids in a list of the most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes is a different vibe from their father’s serious, entrepreneurial, and visionary image.
He works daily to build the foundations of an African telecoms empire, beloved by international financiers and Google executives alike.
Family of entrepreneurs
The Zimbabwean mogul, attentive to developing the continent that made his success, does not usually flaunt his private life in the media, let alone tabloids.
Beyond Tatler‘s “lifestyle” depictions of the offspring of the founder of Econet and Cassava Technologies lie journeys sometimes far removed from Zimbabwe and Africa.
Esther, the youngest, with a fresh bachelor’s degree in digital culture from King’s College London, is pursuing a master’s in fashion entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of the Arts London.
Vimbai Masiyiwa, the “glam philanthropist”, has been an accomplished entrepreneur since 2019. While working on her UCL master’s degree, the 29-year-old, who “inherited her father’s work ethic” per Tatler, created Batoka Hospitality – a luxury hotel group developing local entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe.
When not “lolling” on a pink flamingo pool float, 27-year-old Sarah Masiyiwa takes an interest in Africa’s “unexplored independence stories” through a podcast. The documentarian holds degrees in economics and journalism from NYU. Alongside this personal project, she works in business development at the media company Sky.
Sporty Son
As the son of Tsitsi and Strive, 23-year-old Moses Masiyiwa devotes himself to sports as a coach and founder of his own company, Mofitness Limited. Though fond of high-society soirees, the Regent’s University London graduate (bachelor’s in sports management/marketing) often features in Tatler’s columns. Committed to African youth, he chairs the Africa Arise Youth Foundation – a Harare NGO using sports for youth personal development.
Strive and Tsitsi have two other daughters unmentioned by Tatler. Born in 1998 in Zimbabwe, Joanna studied at the prestigious Yale University, graduating with an ethics, politics, and economics degree.
A daughter in her father’s footsteps
Elizabeth Tanya, the eldest sibling, appears most directly connected to her father’s activities. In April, she replaced Strive Masiyiwa on Econet Wireless’s board – a leading Zimbabwe telecoms operator he created in 1993.
Aged 34 with degrees in international banking/finance, social entrepreneurship, and an Executive MBA from Cambridge, she has founded several online education and leadership companies and serves on various philanthropic boards.
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