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Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]

TIRED of extending begging bowls to other community members to feed their families, a group of 18 women decided to venture into a unique male-dominated industry of manufacturing coffins.

Today the enterprise supplies bereaved families with coffins in and around Chief Sikhobokhobo area of Nkayi, Matabeleland North Province.

Last year the enterprising ladies established Masiwothane Burial Society and manufacture coffins that they sell at affordable prices to leverage against competitors at Nkayi Business Centre.

The business is now providing coffins to many villagers who cannot afford expensive coffins but desire to give their loved ones a decent burial.

Mbonisi Sibanda makes a contribution during the Nkayi Diaspora Investment Indaba held in Bulawayo last week

The group shared its story of resilience and hard work to escape from the clutches of poverty during the Nkayi Diaspora Investment Indaba held in Bulawayo last week.

The event, hosted at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, brought together businesspeople and various stakeholders from Nkayi District to promote community investment-driven initiatives and showcase opportunities for the district, which is rich in natural resources like timber and others. The meeting also sought to foster unity within the Nkayi community.

The women are part of communities that received training in business development and entrepreneurial skills from a local non-governmental organisation, Amalima Loko.

“The nearest place where bereaved families can get coffins, which are often expensive, is at the Nkayi Business Centre, which is about 70 kilometres from our area under Chief Sikhobokhobo.

“So, when we decided to form a co-operative we opted to manufacture coffins. It’s a male-dominated industry but we are determined to succeed in the business and take care of our families as we were tired of begging for food from neighbours and other villagers,” said one of the Masiwothane Burial Society members, Mrs Siphilisiwe Moyo.

Miriam Juba

She said their cheapest coffin costs US$95 and they produce an average of four per month.

“Because coffins are generally expensive, some villagers were forced to break wardrobes or doors to make what looked like a coffin or bury their relatives wrapped in blankets,” she said.

The group members said they urgently need a capital injection of US$1 000 to buy a generator, a drilling machine and a workbench to enable them to double production.

Mrs Miriam Juba of Gamulani Village, Ward 15, who is into baking bread and scones in her community said her major customers were teachers from nearby schools and local shops.

“Amalima Loko taught me how to keep records of my sales and expenditure so that I can see how much I make as profit every month. Last year I made a profit of US$1 520, which enabled me to pay school fees for my children and buy food,” said Mrs Juba.

To increase production, she appealed for a four plate gas stove, which will enable her to work indoors during winter and during the rainy season.

Siphilisiwe Moyo

Her plea was answered by local businessman Mr Arthur Moyo who donated the gas stove. Her small business needs capital injection of US$1 000 to buy baking trays, mixing bowls, a flour sieve and a flour mixer among other equipment.

“The equipment will enable me to serve 600 families with freshly baked products and I will also be able to hire an assistant to meet demand,” she said.

Mr Proud Ncube (18), a young welder who cut his teeth in the industry working for his uncle during school holidays, said he was now permanently employed.

The small family business services the local community in Sowela Village in Ward 11 under Chief Sivalo in Nkayi and does scotch carts, wheel barrows, gates, windows and door frames among other products.

Mr Ncube received a welding machine, over US$700 in cash, a grinding machine and welding rods from investors that attended the Nkayi diaspora investment Indaba to start his own business.

“From the Amalima Loko training that I attended I learnt about the importance of using social media to advertise my business as well as the importance of customer care,” he said.

Chief Dakamela of Nkayi hailed the investment indaba which he said was not only a vehicle for growth but also united the people of Nkayi.

“The small business owners who attended this event were assisted with money and equipment to further grow their businesses. These are acts of goodwill that we encourage among the Nkayi community,” he said.

He said the investment indaba should be made an annual event to enable the Nkayi community to come together and address challenges.