Beyond the Brand: How Tinashe Mutarisi Balances Mogul Status, Fatherhood, and Modern Family Legacy Building
While Zimbabwe knows Tinashe Mutarisi as the mogul behind Nash Paints, a candid new interview reveals the man behind the brand. From growing up in a polygamous family in Wedza to raising seven children with a modern parenting approach, Mutarisi opens up about his private life, addressing viral controversies and the "generational wealth" blueprint he is building with his son.
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| Tinashe Mutarisi with his son, Tinashe Jr., at the new Foodies outlet. |
The Foundations: Wedza & Polygamy
Tinashe Mutarisi's story begins in Wedza, where he was born into a polygamous family; his father had three wives. He recalls a challenging childhood marked by friction, recounting painful memories of his mother being denied food by his older brother. Despite the hardships of a divided household, Mutarisi chose the path of forgiveness.
Rather than holding onto grudges after his parents passed away, he embraced his siblings. Today, he employs his brothers and has integrated them into his business empire, stating that carrying anger is like "carrying a heavy load while the offender walks free."
Mutarisi speaks fondly of his wife, whom he met when he had only three small shops. He describes her as his "best friend" and credits her for keeping him grounded when money started coming in. She is not just a domestic partner but a business one; she served as the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Nash Paints and is currently studying for an MBA alongside him.
"If I had married someone else when the money came, I would have put them in competition with her, and that wouldn't have been right," he reflected, emphasizing that she built the empire with him.
Fatherhood: The 7 Children
Addressing rumors of having "27 children," Mutarisi clarified that he has seven children.
- Dion: The firstborn, currently studying Artificial Intelligence in the Netherlands.
- The Sister: He mentioned a second child before Tinashe Jr.
- Tinashe Jr.: Recently finished Upper 6 at Lomagundi College and is now a co-owner of Foodies.
- Narine: His fourth child.
- The Twins: Matai and Nashe, the last borns.
Mutarisi's parenting style stands in stark contrast to the traditional authoritarian approach. He does not believe in corporal punishment. "I realized that hitting a child is like hot-wiring a car; it's a quick fix but damages the system," he explained.
He fosters an environment of open debate and reasoning. His son, Tinashe Jr., confirmed this, noting that they have constructive arguments without emotion. This openness allows his children to come to him with anything—including advice on social media posts involving relationships.
Addressing the Rumors
Social media was abuzz when artist Delroy Shewe claimed he wasn't paid for the hit song "Superstar." Mutarisi admitted the situation was handled poorly due to a lack of a formal contract initially. While he felt he had provided immense value through marketing (spending over $1.6 million on the NashTV platform over time), he ultimately paid Delroy to settle the dispute, prioritizing his peace of mind over being "right."
Responding to claims by Ndugu Yut that he blocks artists, Mutarisi dismissed the "gatekeeper" label. He explained that Ndugu was simply not on the payroll for a specific project but was still assisted in other ways, including a performance slot at the Saintfloew album launch. Mutarisi emphasized that he helps artists out of passion, not obligation, and has invested half a million dollars into the industry without seeking profit.
Mutarisi opened up about a devastating fire at his factory where he lost approximately $2 million in stock and infrastructure. Insurance only covered about $700,000. Despite this setback, he remains resilient. When asked about his net worth, he laughed off the "billionaire" rumors, modestly admitting to being worth a "couple of millions," prioritizing his peace and friendships over flaunting wealth.
The Next Generation: Tinashe Jr. & Foodies
The interview highlighted the launch of Foodies, a new food outlet co-owned by Mutarisi and his son, Tinashe Jr. This venture represents a shift from "traditional" business succession. Instead of hiding business struggles, Mutarisi is actively involving his son in the operational and decision-making processes immediately after high school.
Tinashe Jr. articulated his vision for the brand, focusing on customer experience and building a community hub rather than just a transaction point. He credited his father's mentorship for his business acumen, noting that he doesn't feel "boxed in" by his father's legacy but rather sees it as a platform to launch his own ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tinashe Mutarisi has one wife, whom he describes as his best friend and business partner.
He states he is apolitical but aligns with the government of the day for business stability, clarifying misconceptions about his political stance.
While avoiding an exact figure, he confirmed he is a multi-millionaire (USD), though he downplays the "billionaire" status often attributed to him on social media.
Yes, despite the initial lack of a contract and believing exposure was sufficient compensation, Mutarisi paid Delroy Shewe to resolve the public dispute.
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