Philip Mataranyika: The Man Who Demystified Death and Built an Empire
Dr. Philip Mataranyika, born in 1964 in Nyazura, Manicaland, is a celebrated Zimbabwean entrepreneur and founder of the Nyaradzo Group — one of Zimbabwe’s leading insurance and funeral service empires. After an early career at Old Mutual, where he earned multiple top advisor awards, he co-founded Nyaradzo Funeral Services in 2001 with a mission to provide dignified, affordable, and culturally relevant funeral services. His leadership transformed Nyaradzo into a diversified powerhouse spanning insurance, logistics, and events management.
Through innovation and community empowerment, Dr. Mataranyika redefined Zimbabwe’s funeral industry and built a trusted household brand. Today, he continues to inspire through leadership, philanthropy, and his vision of sustainable African enterprise growth.
The Man Behind the Brand
Born in 1964, Dr. Mataranyika’s journey began in Nyazura, Manicaland. He attended Rukweza Primary and High Schools in his hometown, as well as Tsungai Primary in Highfield, Harare. His commitment to professional development was clear early on, as he pursued and graduated from the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM) in South Africa. He later earned a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Management from the Chinhoyi University of Technology.
Before Nyaradzo, he forged a distinguished 15-year career at Old Mutual, beginning in 1986 as a Benefits Administrator. His drive and excellence saw him rise through the ranks to become a Financial Advisor, where he won the prestigious Old Mutual Chairman’s Prize for Top Financial Advisor for five consecutive years, from 1996 to 2001.
The Nyaradzo Journey
In 2001, Dr. Mataranyika co-founded Nyaradzo Funeral Services with Farai Rwodzi and Timothy Chiganze. The venture was born from a desire to provide dignified funeral services that were deeply sensitive to African culture—a concept that was considered taboo for indigenous entrepreneurs at the time. He faced immense resistance, even from his own mother, who feared he was "inviting misfortune."
Nyaradzo's character was forged in the fires of adversity. The company survived Zimbabwe's hyperinflationary period around 2008 by making bold and risky decisions, including sourcing foreign currency on the parallel market to keep operations running. This led to Dr. Mataranyika's arrest for violating forex regulations, though he was later acquitted. It was a testament to his commitment to not disappoint clients.
Under his visionary leadership, Nyaradzo evolved into the diversified Nyaradzo Group of Companies, which now includes:
- Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance
- Calundike Exports (Coffin Manufacturing)
- Eureka Insurance Brokers
- Sahwira Events & Lifestyle
The group continues to expand, with offices in South Africa and plans for the United Kingdom and the tourism sector.
Leadership & Legacy
Though often listed among Zimbabwe's wealthiest individuals, Dr. Mataranyika is renowned for his humility. He famously took it upon himself to personally drive the hearse carrying the body of music icon Oliver Mtukudzi and later served as the undertaker for former President Robert Mugabe, acts that deeply resonated with the nation.
His leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including:
- Business Luminary Award (2013)
- Leadership Award of the Year (2013)
- CEO of the Year (2010)
- National Businessman of the Year (2010)
When not leading the Nyaradzo Group, Dr. Mataranyika enjoys playing golf, going to the gym, reading books, and contributing his insights as a columnist for a local business weekly, reflecting a commitment to personal growth and public discourse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Philip Mataranyika is the co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nyaradzo Group, one of Zimbabwe's largest and most successful funeral assurance and services companies.
He worked at Old Mutual for 15 years, rising from a Benefits Administrator to a top Financial Advisor, winning the company's highest award for five consecutive years (1996-2001).
The Nyaradzo Group has diversified to include Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance, Calundike Exports (coffin manufacturing), Eureka Insurance Brokers, and Sahwira Events (events management).
He faced significant cultural resistance, as the funeral business was considered taboo for indigenous people. He also navigated Zimbabwe's extreme hyperinflationary economy, which required taking significant risks to keep the company operational.
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