The Man Who Demystified Death: Philip Mataranyika's 20-Year Journey with Nyaradzo
In the African context, death has a different meaning, and owning a funeral business was once considered taboo. Twenty years ago, when Philip Mataranyika set out to launch Nyaradzo, he knew the cultural resistance he would face—starting with his own family.
“When we got Nyaradzo registered in March 2001, there was one big elephant in the room: how I would break the news to my mother,” he reminisced. When she finally heard, she protested vehemently, accusing her son of “inviting misfortune.” Back then, the funeral business was a no-go area for indigenous people, believed to attract the wrath of departed spirits.
Navigating Economic Storms
Beyond cultural barriers, Nyaradzo had to navigate a hyperinflationary economy. The company faced a stark choice: close down, blame the economy, or find a way to survive. Mataranyika made the bold and risky decision to source foreign currency on the parallel market to keep the business afloat.
“In taking bold decisions to build the business, we had brushes with the law,” he revealed. This led to his arrest for violating foreign exchange regulations, and he spent two nights in prison before being acquitted. This steadfast resolve was crucial in a period when many other businesses collapsed.
From Skepticism to Celebration
Two decades later, Nyaradzo has not only survived but thrived, managing to demystify death and alter negative stereotypes. “Death no longer scares the daylights out of people,” Mataranyika wrote. “There is now acceptance that we are all mortal beings.”
Even his once-cynical mother became one of the company’s biggest cheerleaders. The company now commands a large share of the funeral market and has broken new ground, serving at the funerals of national heroes like Oliver Mtukudzi and Robert Mugabe—a role traditionally reserved for a state-chosen parlor.
Philip Mataranyika is the co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nyaradzo Group. After his schooling in Nyazura, he worked at Old Mutual for fifteen years, rising from a Benefits Administrator to a top Financial Advisor, winning the Chairman’s Prize for five consecutive years (1996–2001).
That experience molded him into the funeral assurance guru he is today. Over 20 years, Nyaradzo has grown from a single company into a diversified group that includes Calundike Exports (coffin manufacturing), Eureka Insurance Brokers, and Sahwira Events. This synergy gives the group a powerful competitive edge.
Despite being listed among Zimbabwe’s richest individuals, Mataranyika remains humble, famously taking it upon himself to drive the hearse for the late music icon Oliver Mtukudzi. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Management and has won numerous accolades, including the Business Luminary Award (2013) and CEO of the Year (2010).
A Legacy of Service and Resilience
The company’s ethos of service extends beyond funerals. When Cyclone Idai ravaged the country, the Nyaradzo Group was at the forefront, aiding affected families and helping them rebuild. They are also committed to environmental resuscitation, with a target of planting 5 million trees by 2026.
The journey of Nyaradzo is a testament to resilience. As a popular funeral song says, “Uri soja usatye” (You are a soldier, remain brave). The company has embodied this spirit, facing storms head-on to build a lasting legacy.
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