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Roselyne Sachiti-Features, Health & Society Editor
Zimbabwe’s Second Republic’s re-engagement and engagement drive with Western countries is bearing fruit for local companies wishing to invest globally.
Under the Second Republic, Zimbabwe’s foreign policy has been designed in a manner that aids the country’s economic recovery, enables economic growth, creates employment and boosts a climate conducive to attracting investors into the country.
The Second Republic has also been promoting local businesses wishing to export services outside Zimbabwe putting the country on the global map.
Early this month, Zimbabwean funeral service provider Nyaradzo Group opened a branch in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.
Speaking to The Herald, Nyaradzo Group chief executive officer, Mr Phillip Mataranyika, said the motivation in opening the UK office was in line with their aim to grow as an international brand, serving the interests of their market wherever they are in line with their mission and vision to be a global player.
“We established a presence in the UK to serve Zimbabweans in that space of the world as a foot in the door. In time, we see ourselves serving all nationalities within the UK, including locals, for quality service knows no race, colour or creed.
“It also presents us with an excellent launch pad for us to spread our wings into the rest of Europe and the Americas.”
Mr Mataranyika said their business is an all-time business, more so in such difficult times, as those brought about by Covid-19.
He added that despite the hazards they faced, they continued to provide event management and end of life solutions to people in their time of need.
“Giving a decent send off to loved ones is a critical part of our service and we appreciate the fact that the investment terrain knows no race. What is required is a solution oriented focus which brings answers to the challenges people face on a daily basis, even more as a result of the pandemic, and at Nyaradzo we do just that.”
With his roots in business starting with helping people in the UK with remittances in the early 2000s, it seems Mr Mataranyika has a sentimental value in that his company again, is dealing with the UK demographic.
“We have always been about providing solutions to our people wherever they are in the world, and the UK constituency represents a good number of Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.
“As much as it is sentimental for us, it is also pragmatic in that we are offering practical solutions to our people, not only in terms of the convenience they now enjoy in taking out policies with us, but also the quality service that we provide for them and their families in the diaspora and back home in Zimbabwe.”
Being a foreign African investor, opening a new branch in the UK at a time many businesses are folding as a result of Covid-19 pressures globally could have presented its own challenges.
However, Mr Mataranyika says they have received tremendous support from both the Zimbabwean and UK Governments.
“The UK Embassy in Zimbabwe has been very supportive all the way from the Ambassador herself, Her Excellency Melanie Robinson, the Embassy Staff, as well as the head of international trade, Tom Hill,” he revealed.
“We are grateful for the support we have received from the Zimbabwe Embassy in the UK all the way from the Ambassador, His Excellency Retired Colonel Christian Katsande as well as the embassy staff.”
At a time the Second Republic is on a massive re-engagement and engagement drive, Mr Mataranyika said the RBZ played a critical role in setting up shop in the UK.
“Right from the get go, the regulatory authorities back home, particularly the RBZ and our regulatory body IPEC, have always been responsive to our requests for support in terms of regulatory approvals for investment.
“The RBZ has granted us approvals, concessions and necessary dispensations for us to be able to invest not only in the UK, but also in South Africa, and for that we remain grateful to all the Government agencies.”
Having once said their only regret is that Nyaradzo Group has not been aggressive enough to export services to more countries in Africa, Mr Mataranyika said opening the UK branch is just the beginning.
“I strongly feel that we will expand as much as there is appetite for the solutions we provide in our chosen space of insurance and events management. We believe that the model we have perfected to good measure in Zimbabwe can provide solutions to the rest of Africa.”
He revealed that they are looking into hybrid solutions across the African continent, most likely co-investing with local players so that we can share the knowledge and expertise they have accumulated over the years with compatriots across the African continent.
“The main idea behind this concept is to provide decency and excellence when it comes to events management, of which funeral management is one. Granted, our presence in the UK resonates with that drive, but we still believe that we can do more on our own home turf,” he pointed out.
Covid-19 has brought with it challenges especially in terms of repatriation of bodies.
According to Mr Mataranyika, the main challenge has been on logistics.
“Right from the onset of the pandemic we were faced with a massive reduction in terms of air travel which is requisite for us to be able to move the deceased from overseas to back home or to anywhere in the world.”
He further explained how the pandemic also brought with it new regulatory requirements in terms of the coffining and sealing needed for the shipment of the human remains.
“It is an additional requirement, another layer of safety which ensures that whatever we do is done safely and in line with Covid-19 guidelines worldwide.”
However, he pointed out, they have seen a gradual opening up of this space and can see a semblance of normalcy in as far as air travel is concerned.
He also said they have also experienced in some jurisdictions a reduction in the use of repatriation services due to the fact that some countries are not very keen on the movement of people who would have passed on due to Covid-19.
“However, we do notice on application, clients being granted that waiver to allow them to move the remains of their loved ones to desired places of interment.”
He said many lessons have been learned in terms of businesses reacting to the shocks caused by pandemics.
“Every so often in business, we come across inflection points wherein the operating landscape is changed significantly by one event or the other. The Covid-19 pandemic is one such occurrence which has come with huge lessons.”
One of the key lessons learnt is the need for adaptability and resilience.
He emphasised the need for businesses to build structures and pillars that ensure that they stay the course and remain true to values regardless of any turbulence.
“One of our core values as Nyaradzo is to remain committed to giving service to our customers. It definitely has not been a smooth sail, we have had rough patches but remained true to our values, providing service to our clients and that has helped us to weather the storm.
“To be honest, the pandemic maybe with us for a while longer and we have to learn to live with it, despite the obvious shocks that come with lockdowns, the increase in mortality and reduced economic activity.”
Key lessons to be learnt , he added, include fortitude given the harsh circumstances corporates had to operate in since the pandemic began.
“We remain indebted to all Nyaradzo staff and members of the management team for their dedication and commitment, as well as the partnerships we have that have come in handy in helping us deliver our services,” he said. These, he pointed out, include Government agencies; pathology services, the Registrar General’s department, the ZRP, municipal authorities, environmental health technicians, amongst others.
“We need each other in order to overcome this crisis and have an efficient and effective system, which enables our customers to give their loved ones’ decent send-offs,” said Mr Mataranyika.
Online Reporter