adminof-the-art funeral parlour in Chiredzi last week.
The parlour, which is situated a stone’s throw from the Central Business District, brings to six the number of funeral parlours operated by Nyaradzo in Zimbabwe.
The group, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in March this year, has branches in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo and in the mining town of Zvishavane.
Governor and Resident Minister for Masvingo Province Mr Titus Maluleke, who officially opened the branch, hailed the move by Nyaradzo Group of establishing a funeral parlour in Chiredzi and urged other
entrepreneurs to invest in the town.
Mr Maluleke described the project as a demonstration of confidence by indigenous Zimbabweans in Chiredzi as a potential investment destination.
“There is no doubt that the investment will immediately help residents get top-class funeral and insurance cover and services over and above the employment opportunities that have been created.
“This huge investment will go a long way in transforming the face of Chiredzi and all other areas in the province that have been targeted for investment,” he said.
Mr Maluleke added that Nyaradzo’s entry into Chiredzi is an important development that should spur other entrepreneurs to invest in the town.
Nyaradzo is planning to extend their tentacles in the province by opening two more branches in Masvingo and Zvishavane before the end of the year.
Plans for the opening of the Mhondoro-Ngezi and Redcliff branches in Mashonaland West and the Midlands province have also reached an advanced stage.
The establishment of the Chiredzi parlour has created numerous opportunities for downstream industries and has also resulted in the creation of jobs with more employment opportunities likely to emerge in the medium to long-term as the country’s economy recovers.
“It’s also a demonstration of what Zimbabweans can do. A number of organisations in similar business have been shunning Chiredzi but I am happy that Nyaradzo saw what many could not see,” said Mr Maluleke.
Nyaradzo Group chairman Mr Ben Chiganze attributed the company’s success to loyalty on the part of all customers, current and potential.
“We spent more time listening than talking. We also understand the needs of our customers and we stand ready to provide solutions to suit their requirements.
“Because we listen, we have provided buses for mourners, a service which was non-existent before. A bus has therefore been dedicated to Chiredzi. More buses will be on the way should the situation demand,” he said.
He added that the establishment of the branch was born out of the realisation that the people of Chiredzi were desperately in need of such a service.
“We have now introduced a policy called ‘Six Pack’, which enables one to offer funeral cover to six people (husband and wife, in-laws, kids and the policyholder’s mother and father). Also on offer is our Six Pack
Extended family which can cover up to 20 people,” he revealed.
As part of their corporate social investment programme, Nyaradzo are promoting green burials whereby a tree is planted with every burial they do and the objective is to plant up to 500 million trees in 15 years.
Nyaradzo has grown into a market leader in the funeral business and other ancillary services and the group is now parent to a coffin manufacturing business Calundike Exports, Eureka Insurance, Nyaradzo Funeral Services and Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance Company.
Online Reporter