Sinethemba breathes new life into family business

When Sinethemba Ndlangamandla’s undertaker father passed on in 2009, his funeral service business did not meet its demise with him. 

Instead, over a decade later, his daughter rolled up her sleeves to run Mphazima Funeral Abangcwabi. 

Testament to her efforts, Mphazima is today earning praise while ploughing back into the community of Mkhondo, in Mpumalanga, where it is based. 

In a recent interview with Vuk'uzenzele Mphazima chief executive Ndlangamandla, said: “The business was started by my father a while ago but then he passed away in 2009. 

I was 16 at the time and it was then run by staff as my mother wanted to continue working as a professional nurse and had no interest in the business.”

Despite her age, Ndlangamandla kept tabs with developments at the company while she completed her matric in 2011.  It was not until 2021 that she took over the reins. 

After completing grade 12, Ndlangamandla went on to obtain honours degrees in psychology and BCom, both from the University of South Africa (UNISA). 

Upon completion, she worked at the Pretoria Zoo, the National Research Foundation and UNISA.
After obtaining her two degrees, she assisted in the business to learn the ropes while looking for a job.

“I’ve never had ambitions to take over the business, it just happened. My mother decided that I should take over the business because she didn’t have any interest in it. Yes, I do have siblings but they are also pursuing their career interests,” she said. 

She expressed gratitude to her mother for entrusting her with the responsibility of managing the business. 
The business has also grown its  fleet of hearses from four to seven. 

“We now have a reception area, a coffin and casket showroom, a boardroom, a director’s office and a storeroom. Those are some of the changes that I’ve introduced,” she said.

As a form of giving back to the community of Piet Retief, Ndlangamandla has opened the Mphazima Foundation.

Her efforts were rewarded in May when the business took home a R100 000 cash prize for coming second in the Hollywood Foundation’s Bambelela Business Awards held in Mpumalanga. 

Plans are afoot for the business to open additional branches across the country. 

“That’s my wish because I want to create more job opportunities. The full-time and part-time staff are a sign that it is possible,” she said. ¥

To get in touch with Mphazima Funeral Abangcwabi, visit the company’s website on mphazimafunerals.co.za, email info@mphazimafunerals.co.za or call 072 474 2817