Q & A ICEBOLETHU GROUP
Did you always have aspirations to be an entrepreneur?
I didn’ t initially set out to become an entrepreneur. My background was in education, and I began my career as a teacher. However, entrepreneurship has always been a part of who I am. While teaching, I would sell items at school and even started a small catering business before founding Icebolethu. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, where my grandfather ran multiple businesses, I witnessed firsthand what entrepreneurship entails and the transformative impact it can have.
There was always a desire within me to make a broader impact and serve in a way that could uplift entire communities. As my career progressed, I recognised entrepreneurship as a powerful vehicle to achieve this goal. The idea for Icebolethu developed gradually as I observed the unmet needs in my community, and I realised that starting my own business would enable me to address those needs directly and meaningfully.
What has entrepreneurship taught you?
One of the biggest lessons in my journey has been the importance of adaptability. Initially, I thought we were doing well running a funeral parlour, but the industry was rapidly evolving. Large insurance companies were consistently offering daily value to their clients, and we realised we needed to innovate to remain competitive. This led to the introduction of our loyalty rewards programme, and today, Icebolethu iSave Rewards stands as one of the best decisions we’ ve made.
Entrepreneurship has taught me that success demands constant evolution and a willingness to adjust your approach. You can start with a solid plan, but real-world challenges often require flexibility and creative problem-solving. The growth of Icebolethu highlighted the value of resilience and innovation, and has deepened my sense of responsibility – not just to our clients, but to my team and the community we serve. This journey has been both humbling and profoundly motivating.
What are the highlights of your entrepreneurial journey?
A significant highlight has been growing Icebolethu into a diversified group with multiple service divisions, including funeral services, catering, security, and tombstones. Expanding internationally with Icebolethu Funerals UK was another monumental achievement, marking our presence on the global stage. Reaching the milestone of employing over 2 000 people remains one of my proudest accomplishments. Contributing to job creation in South Africa and knowing that we are putting food on the table for numerous families is deeply fulfilling and humbling.
On a personal level, being recognised through accolades like the Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards, the KwaZulu- Natal Top Business Women Award in 2019, and receiving an honorary doctorate from Mangosuthu University of Technology has been truly rewarding. These honours validate the hard work, resilience, and impact we’ ve had on our community and beyond, inspiring me to continue striving for excellence.
Tell us a bit about the Icebolethu Group – the various companies and the synergies of the different companies.
The Icebolethu Group encompasses several subsidiaries, including Icebolethu Funerals, Icebolethu Funerals UK, Icebolethu Catering, Icebolethu Security, Icebolethu Tombstones, Icebolethu Properties, Icebolethu Memorials, Icebolethu Burials, Icebolethu Foundation, Icebolethu Group Academy, Icebolethu Cleaning Services, iTravel and iMobile. Each entity serves a unique role, but they all work in harmony to offer comprehensive services to our clients. For example, families can plan a funeral with Icebolethu Funerals, organise catering through Icebolethu Catering, and secure the venue with Icebolethu Security – all under one roof. This synergy allows us to provide a seamless, dignified experience for our clients.
Considering the growth of the Group, how have you had to adapt as a leader?
As the Group has grown, I’ ve had to adopt a more strategic approach, focusing on delegation and empowering my team. Initially, I was hands-on in every detail, but as the business expanded, I learned to trust and empower capable leaders across various departments. My role has since shifted to setting the vision, fostering a strong company culture, and ensuring that each division operates cohesively within our core values.
To what do you accredit the growth and success of the Icebolethu Group?
The growth and success of the Icebolethu Group can be attributed to several key factors. First and foremost, teamwork has been at the heart of our journey. Having a dedicated and aligned team that shares the same vision has allowed us to consistently deliver excellence in everything we do.
Another critical factor has been our commitment to listening to our clients. We make it a priority to understand their needs, preferences, and challenges, and we focus on providing solutions that truly address those concerns. By giving our clients what they want and continually improving our customer care, we’ ve been able to build trust and loyalty, which has been instrumental in driving our growth. This client-centred approach has not only strengthened our relationships but also reinforced our position as a trusted brand in the industry. ■
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