This Women’s Month, Azande Mkhwanazi, founder of Zaya Wellness, is celebrating the strength, resilience, and purpose of women. For her, being a woman is proof that strength and softness can coexist. “Spiritually, I see it as God’s intentional design to nurture, lead, and create as a reflection of His love in the world,” she says.
Zaya Wellness, meaning “Victorious Woman,” is more than a wellness centre—it’s a sanctuary for restoration, mindful living, and community. Azande created the space from her own journey of burnout and healing. “When I experienced the power of true restoration, I couldn’t keep it to myself. Zaya Wellness is the space I wish I had when I was trying to piece myself back together,” she explains.
Every element of Zaya is intentional—from the calming scents and natural light to the affirmation quotes on the walls. “We want every woman who walks through our doors to leave remembering how it feels to be truly seen and cared for,” she says.
Community and sisterhood are central to Azande’s vision. She credits her personal growth to supportive networks of women who remind each other of their power. “The right women will remind you of your power on the days you can’t see it,” she says. This philosophy is reflected in Zaya’s success, from the launch of their wellness activewear line to the first members who joined purely through community connections.
Azande also highlights the importance of accessible wellness for Black women in South Africa. She believes the most overlooked aspects are rest without guilt, culturally safe spaces, and access to holistic wellness beyond appearances. Through Zaya Wellness, she intentionally provides opportunities for young professionals, like massage therapists, to gain experience while offering women true restoration from the inside out.
Growing up in uMlazi, Azande learned resilience and the power of community. Her entrepreneurial spirit was inspired by the small businesses around her, showing her that starting something from scratch is possible. These roots inform her leadership and the values she brings to Zaya Wellness.
The future of Zaya Wellness includes expanding services to offer in-house therapy, dietitian consultations, wellness retreats, and a growing community of women supporting one another. Azande is also stepping more into public speaking and expanding her podcast, Yours to Bare_Bear, as a platform for holistic wellness.
For women pursuing purpose-driven ventures, Azande offers practical guidance: “Start from a place of truth, not trends. Pray for guidance and provision. Purpose is a journey that stretches you in the best ways, and showing up every day isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.”
Through her work, Azande Mkhwanazi is creating a space where women can reclaim their identity, embrace their victories, and experience true wellness from the inside out.
