Bulawayo businessman and founder and Director of Neighbourhood Funeral Services, Mr Pitiel Tshuma, has died.

 

Mkhululi Ncube Zimpapers Reporter

 

He was 64.

Mr Tshuma is one of the first indigenous people to venture into the funeral parlour business in the 1990s.

Neighbourhood Funeral Services Managing Director, Mr Nkosikhona Mlilo, confirmed the news.

Besides running the parlour, Mr Tshuma was also into production of coffins and caskets at a large scale.

“Our founder suffered a stroke recently, and he was rushed to hospital where he was operated on, but he did not recover. He died yesterday morning,” he said.

The late Tshuma is well known for giving back to the community, with his parlour well known for assisting less privileged members of society in Sizinda, Tshabalala, Nkulumane and Entumbane.

“To him, the funeral industry was a calling hence he always gave back to the community, and he had a good relationship with the community,” said Mr Mlilo.

The late Tshuma was also into mining and was a member of the Bulawayo Community Action Group.

He is survived by wife Simangele Heather Tshuma, five children and three grandchildren.

He is set to be buried on Tuesday.

Mourners are gathered at house number 2251 Nkulumane 5.