Online Reporter
Lubelihle Moyo
BULAWAYO is smiling a little wider these days. From a humble kitchen table to the glittering stage of the Zimbabwe Wedding Industry Networking Gala (ZWING), Claytess — the homegrown jewellery brand dreamed up by husband-and-wife duo Clayton “Clay” Moyo and Gugulethu “Tess” Moyo has turned local grit into national glory.
In an exclusive interview with B-Metro, the couple shared their journey to being crowned Best Wedding Jewellers of the Year, a triumph that began with a simple vision: to create a legacy that would outlive them.
“It started as a simple idea, to create not just a jewellery business, but a brand that celebrates love, milestones, and special moments in people’s lives.
“What began as a small step of faith has grown into a purpose-driven journey,” Tess reminisced.
The early days were tough. Airtime ran out, bills piled up, and hope felt fragile. Giving up seemed like the easier option.
“There were moments when giving up felt like the easier path,” Clay admitted. “
But we always came back to the purpose. Claytess is bigger than us — it’s about impact, legacy, and serving people.
“Our faith in God, our belief in each other, and support from our customers kept us going.”
When asked where their strength came from, they were quick to answer: God first.
“God has been our foundation. Beyond that, we’ve been each other’s greatest support system. Our family, especially our mother, Lizzie Ngwenya, has always encouraged us.
“Our team, our loyal customers, our spiritual parents Bishop Dr Colin Nyathi and Bishop Dr Sarah Nyathi, and of course, our beautiful children — they are all reasons we keep pushing. Every one of them has believed in the Claytess vision,” Tess said.
When their names were called at ZWING 2026, the couple stood under the stage lights, feeling the weight of every whispered prayer and every sacrifice.
“It was overwhelming — gratitude and disbelief all at once. We reflected on how far we’ve come — the struggles, the prayers, the hard work, and every customer who believed in us.
“It felt like confirmation that every step of faith was worth it,” Tess said, glancing at her husband.
“Winning is not the end for us, it’s just the beginning,” she added. “Our next dream is to grow Claytess into a globally recognised brand while continuing to impact lives locally.”
Clay shared the same vision: “We want to expand, innovate, and continue creating unforgettable experiences for our customers. But no matter how big we grow, our foundation stays the same — prayer, family, and hard work.”
With the trophy now shining on their shelf, Claytess is dreaming bigger than ever. Yet their rhythm remains unchanged.
“We want to grow, but we won’t lose our heart. We’ll keep praying, keep serving, and keep making pieces that hold memory,” Clay said.
From kitchen table beginnings to national acclaim, this power couple is proof that faith, family, and perseverance can turn dreams into reality.
