Death 'good for business'
2004-08-16 15:17
Jabu Mhlabane
Malelane - Death has been good to the people of Siphosemaswati village in Mpumalanga's impoverished Nkomazi district.
The enterprising villagers have capitalised on soaring local HIV/Aids and other deaths by establishing the region's first grassroots tombstone factory.
Spearheaded by local dynamo Jack Nkosi, the villagers create polished stone and concrete tombstones that rival the best found 100km away in the provincial capital's glitzy showrooms.
"And ours are just a fraction of the price charged in Nelspruit. Nkomazi is home to 700 000 people, but there isn't a single local tombstone manufacturer. In the past, people travelled 100km only to be charged exorbitant rates," says Nkosi's 26-year-old brother, Willem.
"Our tombstones are just as good, but cost as little as R1 600 each. More importantly, the money stays here in Nkomazi and the factory creates local jobs."
Willem took over management of Siphosemaswati Tombstones in January when his visionary brother died in a car accident. He was just 29-years old.
"Jack was so committed to Siphosemaswati that he even made his own tombstone before he died. We miss him, but we work hard to make sure his vision of a dynamic community-based company becomes true," says Willem.
The village-based factory uses raw slabs of stone, polished concrete, ceramic tiles, and various types of coloured cement to create a range of tombstones ranging from the grandiose to quirky personalised monuments to the region's people.
"Most of our clients are poor people, who until now could not afford the dignity of honouring their ancestors or loved ones with decent tombstones. Now, we create customised tombstones to order," says Willem.
Just as importantly, Siphosemaswati allows customers to pay-off the tombstones on instalment, or through informal stokvel saving clubs, with monthly payments as low as R100.
"Because most people here are either farm workers or unemployed, it is important that the cost doesn't cripple them. The concept seems to be working, because we are beginning to get customers from as far as Swaziland and Limpopo," says Willem.
The steadily growing business is good news for Siphosemaswati's 18 staff.
- African Eye