Africa and Zimbabwe’s Strongest woman, Chido Maenzanise, staged a first-ever powerlifting competition featuring powerlifting, para powerlifting, and kids’ fitness with the aim to empower communities through fitness.
Maenzanise is a pioneering Zimbabwean powerlifter and strongwoman, since she was crowned Africa’s Strongest Woman in 2025 after winning the championship in South Africa.
As a multi-medal winner with over 28 medals, she is ranked 21st in the world and is noted for her immense strength, lifting 220kg yokes.
However, recently she hosted an inaugural event, which left a mark on the community of Highfield at Black Moses Academy.
“It’s the first ever competition in Africa as it consists of strongman, powerlifting, para powerlifting, kids fitness, so it’s for all and for everyone.
“The theme was ‘No to drugs and yes to fitness’.
“It was broad, as we also focused on women’s empowerment and denounced child marriage through fitness.
“We had representatives from all provinces, with some coming as far as Chirumanzu.
“I was happy with the feedback of the athletes since some of the disabled don’t get a chance to showcase themselves because of their inability,” she said.
