ICEBOLETHU GROUP

ICEBOLETHU GROUP

Icebolethu Group was established in 2009 by Nomfundo Mcoyi, who was inspired by the need for a reputable funeral service provider, particularly in black communities.

Twelve years later, through hard work, unwavering dedication, and ambition, Icebolethu Group has over one hundred customer service branches and mortuaries including two call centres, an academy, and admin offices in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Six years ago, Icebolethu Group opened a branch in London, England specifically to take care of SADC nationals living and working in the United Kingdom

Icebolethu Group consists of ten companies: Icebolethu Funerals; Icebolethu Burial Services; Icebolethu Tombstones; Icebolethu Funerals UK; Icebolethu Foundation; Icebolethu Security Services; Icebolethu Academy; Icebolethu Properties and Investments; Icebolethu Catering; and Icebolethu Memorials.

The Group’s companies all service the two main income-generating businesses, Icebolethu Funerals (FSP) and Icebolethu Burial Services (IBS). Icebolethu Group Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Nomfundo Mcoyi, is also the KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson of the South Africa Funeral Practitioners Association and will be serving her second term, beginning in January 2022. Nomfundo also sits on the Board of Services SETA and is a shareholder of Scribante Labour Consultants, as well as Blacksuits.

Amongst her many accolades, Nomfudo has recently published a cookbook titled “Boardroom to the Kitchen with Nomfundo Mcoyi’’. Within Icebolethu Funerals is Icebolethu Corporate, which offers group scheme funeral cover, providing products and services to people belonging to group schemes such as companies, churches, stokvels, clubs, and similar groups.

The aim is to make Icebolethu Group accessible to all those who need it and, through partnerships with bigger organisations, members are covered and get to enjoy Icebolethu benefits. The company’s motto, “dedicated to the care of those we serve,” is shown through training and grooming staff members to ensure that they provide clients with the best customer service.

The company also provides a 24- hour call centre service and has packages designed to suit the desired target audience to ensure maximum customer satisfaction. The vision of Icebolethu Group is to be the centre of excellence in the funeral industry. This influences the ethos and organisational culture of the company and is filtered throughout the organisation within all structures and departments. The mission of the company is to deliver exceptional service and to perform dignified funerals and services. Icebolethu Group is also guided by five values: providing an efficient and effective service without compromising industry standards; acting with honesty and integrity; providing a zero-defect service; creating a safe, healthy, and stimulating environment for our employees; and providing effective social corporate investments that will benefit the greater society.

Teamwork is the most essential part of any profession which is why all Icebolethu staff members are trained to become part of the team, bringing their skills, experience, and expertise, thus ensuring that their input in the workplace benefits the entire team. Icebolethu Group has a staff complement of over 1,500 employees, with the majority of employees from destitute communities in which Icebolethu branches are located. As the company expands, the number of employees will continue to increase, making Icebolethu Group a key employer within the KwaZulu-Natal province.

Twenty-two Icebolethu Group branches across KwaZulu-Natal were looted and demolished during the civil unrest which took place in July 2021, compromising job security. All demolished branches are being restored in the same locations, as Icebolethu believes in reinvesting into the communities in which it serves. As branches are gradually being replenished, employees from damaged branches have been redeployed to other branches within the company. Funeral planning requires many resources and manpower, which is why certain tasks and equipment are outsourced from smaller companies, within townships and rural areas, to grow the businesses of other black people. Amongst these items are funeral tents and chairs. Over the years, suppliers have been able to grow their businesses through this partnership.

Regarded as a lifestyle brand, Icebolethu Group provides services, solutions, and benefits that their clients enjoy for a full life cycle; while alive, at passing, and afterlife. For the past 12 years, Icebolethu Group has strived to be of quality service to their clients and has continuously reviewed their products and services to suit client needs. This is why clients are given benefits to reap and enjoy while they are still alive, through partnerships the company has made with reput able retailers, travel companies, and supermarkets. Icebolethu clients also get to enjoy a full life cycle of benefits customised for their specific needs such as trauma counselling, free legal advice worth R5 000, a free will, as well as ambulance response and hospital bills up to R10 000, amongst others. With each product and service that Icebolethu provides, proper market research is conducted to meet clients’ needs and satisfaction.

With catering, a courtesy car, inkomo, and tombstone plan serving as additional “extras”, or top-ups, families are guaranteed peace of mind during their time of bereavement. This one-stop-shop business model is customer-centric and provides convenience for the end-user. Icebolethu Foundation is the community service division of Icebolethu Group. The foundation was established in 2015 after Icebolethu recognised the need to reinvest in the communities that the company serves and was identified by its management.

The foundation has since grown and is now providing aid to communities within KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng with the aim of uplifting, empowering and facilitating change by developing sustainable solutions for the youth and the elderly. As a black economic empowerment organisation driven by African values, the group celebrates our country’s diversity and cultural wisdom. The key focus of the foundation includes education, orphans, and vulnerable children and supporting sustainable living for the elderly.

The foundation is dedicated to focusing and driving community projects that contribute to developing one community area at a time. These projects include GogoFit, the Mother’s Day luncheon, and the home building initiative where the foundation builds muchneeded dignified and fully-furnished homes for families in need throughout KwaZulu-Natal. The “Back to School’’ campaign is an annual initiative that is aimed at assisting underprivileged learners with basic schooling necessities such as school uniforms, shoes, and lunch bags.

The Foundation also has a few agricultural projects to aid poverty-stricken communities. This is done through donations of water tanks, seedlings, and gardens where Icebolethu purchases land for farmers to commercialise their crops in different regions of KwaZulu-Natal.

The principal project within the foundation is Rhoda Girls, which is a programme very close to the heart of the GCEO AND Founder of Icebolethu Group who wanted to give young ladies, from disadvantaged backgrounds, a better opportunity to break the cycle of poverty. The programme comprises fifty young ladies, between the ages of 13- 21 years old, whom Icebolethu grooms over five years.

This is done through workshops, camps, and mentorship programmes. The ladies are also assisted financially with school and tertiary fees, transport, and school stationery.

NOMFUNDO MCOYI, GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ICEBOLETHU GROUP

The foundation is dedicated to focusing and driving community projects that contribute to developing one community area at a time.

Contact details

Head Office Address: 277 Umbilo Rd, Congela, Durban, 4013

Johannesburg Office Address: 387 Surrey Avenue, Ferndale Randburg, 2194

Email: info@icebolethu.co.za

Tel: 010 446 1096

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