eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
The country’s largest funeral service company, Nyaradzo Group, has commenced operations in neighbouring South Africa as part of the its drive to expand into the region.
Nyaradzo corporate communications manager Kudzai Mpunzwana told Business Weekly that the SA operation marked the beginning of the group’s thrust to expand into the region, adding plans were also underway to tap into international markets.
In November last year, the company commissioned a modern, fully-equipped Service Centre in Randburg, Johannesburg while operations began a month later.
Mpunzwana noted that South Africa is Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner and Nyaradzo’s vision is, among other aspects, focused on international growth.
“We chose South Africa as the maiden international project given the significant number of Zimbabweans living there.”
It is estimated that three million Zimbabweans are living in SA.
“We have plans for expansion into the entire SADC region. Furthermore we are also exploring other countries across the globe,” Mpunzwana said.
She said the response the SA venture has received so far is encouraging.
“The market is impressed with our state-of-the-art Service Centre which we have equipped with modern equipment and a highly-skilled team.
“All of the clients that we are serving are Nyaradzo clients who have taken out their policies in Zimbabwe. That said, we are at an advanced stage of processing the necessary documentation that will enable us to offer our funeral assurance products in South Africa.”
Ms Mpunzwana said the group’s long term thrust was to reach out to all nationalities for local funeral services or expatriations.
“We also envisage providing other risk and events management solutions, as we have done in Zimbabwe.”
Locally, Nyaradzo has built massive capacity supported by an extensive branch network and modern assets with over 40 branches nationwide. Overall, the Group comprise subsidiaries in the insurance, services and manufacturing industries.
In the past 12 months Nyaradzo opened sales offices in Chegutu, Victoria Falls, Chipinge, Chivhu and a service centre in Chitungwiza and they are eying presence in Beitbridge, Mataga, Mvurwi, Kariba and Hauna.
