Sympathy ‘Mangwenya’ Sibanda is a renowned, multi-talented serial entrepreneur whose passion for creating natural products that enhance people’s health has not gone unnoticed. She is the founder and current Managing Director of Amandla Brands, a fast-growing food manufacturing company specializing in healthy snacks.
Some of the company’s products include peanut butter, seasoned nuts, flour, and other health-conscious offerings.
Recognizing the global health challenges people face, Sympathy made it her mission to create a brand that goes beyond profit-making. Her goal is to integrate healthy, sustainable products into people’s diets to help mitigate the current health crises. She is not only an entrepreneur but also an advocate for women’s empowerment, with a reputation for promoting good health and safe practices with a vision that stretches far beyond Africa’s borders.
In addition to her role as MD of Amandla Brands, Sympathy is a published author, renowned humanitarian, public speaker, trainer, and researcher, all of whom work tirelessly to advance women’s economic development. As an author, she has dedicated herself to preserving knowledge and culture through her written work.
The Road to Entrepreneurial Success
Sympathy’s journey to success is one of perseverance and resilience. From a young age, she witnessed the power of entrepreneurship through her father, a construction business owner, and her mother, a multi-talented businesswoman.
“Being the first child in a natively mixed family of Shona and Ndebele, I was taught the importance of financial liberation and the preservation of knowledge and culture. I took their advice to heart, and from as early as Grade 3, I ran my own iced drinks business,” she excitedly recalls.
Sympathy later earned her degree in sociology from the University of Zimbabwe, followed by a journalism qualification. She secured an internship at a local NGO, where she honed her communication and leadership skills, which she continues to apply in her work today. This experience also laid the foundation for her current role as a motivational public speaker and trainer for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Her time in the NGO sector lasted nearly a decade before she decided to step into the private business world—though the entrepreneurial seed had been planted much earlier.
The Power of Sacrifices and Commitment
In a society often hindered by gender stereotypes and discrimination, Sympathy has become a trailblazer, proving that women can excel far beyond domestic roles as traditionally dictated by African culture. While working at the NGO, she borrowed her mother’s peanut butter-making machine to start producing “dovi” (peanut butter) and sold it to her colleagues as a side hustle.
Sympathy admits she initially sold peanut butter from the trunk of her car, but what followed was a dramatic turning point. “People were shocked when I decided to quit my stable job and focus fully on the peanut butter business. Some thought I was crazy, others were concerned, but with strong support from my family and a partner who believed in my vision, I found the courage to resign and commit to building my brand,” she shared.
Sympathy’s turning point came when she won a competition funded by CBZ Bank, facilitated by Empowered by Life Trust, which gave her the financial boost she needed. “As fate would have it, I joined a nationwide competition for young entrepreneurs and emerged as the winner. The prize money gave me the capital I needed to establish my company,” she recalls.
Now in her thirties, Sympathy is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, driven by the same passion and energy to empower aspiring women entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe and beyond. A devout Christian, she credits all her success to God, as well as to everyone who has played a role in her journey.
Drawing Inspiration from a Challenging Background
Sympathy grew up in Chitungwiza, a high-density suburb where drug abuse and domestic violence were prevalent. Despite her family’s modest financial situation, she saw firsthand how entrepreneurship could create sustainable opportunities. She has since worked tirelessly to provide similar opportunities for others, focusing on employment creation and skills development. Through her consulting and coaching initiatives, she continues to empower individuals by equipping them with life skills and business knowledge.
Overcoming Business Hurdles
Like many entrepreneurs, Sympathy faced significant challenges, including policy-related issues and lack of funding. Early in her entrepreneurial journey, she took out a loan to purchase machinery for her business. However, the loan was delayed due to policy issues, and when it was finally approved, it coincided with the repayment start date. “The timing couldn’t have been worse,” she said.
This setback forced her to downsize the business—reducing staff, products, and the factory size. However, Sympathy views this experience as a valuable lesson. “It was one of my greatest regrets, but it was also a critical learning moment. I learned to manage setbacks and bounce back stronger,” she said.
Today, Sympathy stands as a successful businesswoman, admired for her resilience and her ability to motivate others facing similar challenges.
Achievements and Exciting Career Ventures
Sympathy’s diverse talents have expanded her influence across Africa and beyond. A gifted ghostwriter and development practitioner, she has helped individuals share their stories on various platforms to amplify their aspirations.
Her commitment to empowering women led her to found the Women Writers Support Network-Africa, a non-profit organization that offers writing therapy sessions for women across seven African countries.
Her dedication to entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment has earned her numerous accolades. She was honored with the CBZ Bank Youth Entrepreneur of the Year (2019) award and was recently listed among Zimbabwe’s Top 100 Young Influential People (2024).
In addition to her thriving snack business, Sympathy is a full-time broadcaster, hosting various shows on 3KTV (DSTV Channel 293).
Sympathy’s ability to balance business, philanthropy, and broadcasting speaks to her commitment to both her own success and the betterment of others. She continues to inspire countless women, proving that with determination and a strong vision, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.
Through collaborations with other female-owned businesses, Sympathy remains dedicated to her community’s growth and to the empowerment of women both locally and internationally.