Mudiwa
A selfie-checked dating app for Zimbabweans ready for something real. I designed it in Figma and built it end to end; it is live on Android, with iPhone on the way.
- Role
- Founder: brand, UX research, UI design, build
- Platforms
- iOS and Android app, website, staff web app
- Stack
- Figma, Expo / React Native, Next.js, Supabase
- Status
- Live on Android, iPhone in App Review, 2026
Dating in Zimbabwe runs on Facebook groups. Nobody knows who’s real.
Mudiwa means beloved in Shona. People here who want something serious meet through friends, church and Facebook dating groups, where fake profiles and money scams are common and women get messages they never asked for.
Mudiwa answers the two questions people ask first: is this person real, and will they leave me alone if I’m not interested? Every member takes a selfie check before they can message, and a chat only opens when both people like each other.
The four worries behind every first message
“Is he even real?”
Catfish and romance scams are a known problem, so trust has to come before anything else.
“Will he leave me alone?”
Women expect unwanted messages. Control over who can talk to you matters more than features.
“My data is expensive.”
Bundles cost real money, so the app has to stay light on mobile data and still feel quick.
“Is this serious?”
People want someone they could bring home, so intentions are on the profile from the start.
How might we make a dating app that feels as safe as being introduced by a friend?
The product, screen by screen
App, website, staff desk and brand, by one person
iOS and Android app
Expo and React Native, built from the Figma boards with every state: loading, empty, offline and error.
Selfie verification
A quick selfie, checked by a person within four hours, before anyone can send a message.
Chat that respects you
Opens only on a mutual like. Voice notes, read receipts, and photos off until both agree.
Website and payments
Next.js site with the Android download, safety pages and EcoCash for optional extras.
Staff desk
An internal web app for selfie reviews, reports and appeals, with response times built in.
Design system
Figma tokens generate the app theme, so colours and type never drift from the design.
Where it stands
Mudiwa is my own product, launched in 2026. It shows the full job I do for clients: research, brand, design in Figma, then a real app in the stores.
Planning an app people need to trust?
Tell me what you’re building. You get a reply within one working day, with a plan and a price.
