Philip Mataranyika is a prominent entrepreneur and the founder of Nyaradzo Funeral Insurance Company, which was formed in March 2001 is one of Zimbabwe’s leading funeral service providers.
Mataranyika was born in 1964 and did his primary education at Rukweza in Nyazura and at Tsungai Primary School in Highfield. He was enrolled at Rukweza High School for his secondary education. He holds professional qualifications from the Institute of Marketing Management of South Africa.
After completing his studies, Mataranyika started his career at Old Mutual for 16 years in various capacities. However, he soon realized that he had a passion for entrepreneurship and decided to venture into business.
Nyaradzo Funeral Services, a company that aimed to provide affordable and dignified funeral services to the people of Zimbabwe. The company’s mission was to ensure that every Zimbabwean family could give their loved ones a decent burial, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Under Mataranyika’s leadership, Nyaradzo Funeral Services quickly became one of the most successful funeral service providers in Zimbabwe. The company’s innovative approach, which combined funeral insurance with funeral services, proved to be a winning formula, and soon Nyaradzo had a loyal customer base.
Over the years, Mataranyika expanded Nyaradzo’s services, including the establishment of Nyaradzo Life Assurance, a life insurance company that offers a range of life insurance products to Zimbabweans. Today, Nyaradzo is a well-respected brand in Zimbabwe, known for its commitment to providing high-quality and affordable funeral services to Zimbabweans.
Mataranyika’s entrepreneurial success has not gone unnoticed, and he has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to Zimbabwe’s business community.
He holds top business awards that includes:
- Chairman’s Top Financial Advisor at Old Mutual (1996–2001)
- First Runner Up – Businessman of the Year (2009) by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC)
- Harare Businessman of the Year (2010) by the ZNCC
- National Businessman of the Year (2010) by the ZNCC
- Chief Executive Officer of the Year (2010) by the ZNCC
- First Runner Up – Chief Executive of the Year (2010) by the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe
- Chief Executive of the Year (2011) by KMFS
- Leadership Award of the Year (2013) by Megafest
- Businessman Luminary Award (2013) by Empretec Zimbabwe
Despite his success, Mataranyika remains committed to giving back to his community. He has established the Nyaradzo Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on providing education and healthcare services to vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe.
In conclusion, Philip Mataranyika is a visionary entrepreneur who has made a significant impact on Zimbabwe’s business landscape. His innovative approach to providing funeral services has helped countless Zimbabwean families give their loved ones a dignified burial, and his commitment to giving back to his community is an inspiration to many.
