Visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo is a true industry reformer, having transformed a single funeral parlour into one of South Africa’s leading funeral and financial services groups. She continues to blaze trails, expanding her national footprint to more than 200 branches across all nine provinces and employing nearly 3,000 people
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo’s journey from humble beginnings to building a trusted national brand is incredibly inspiring. Looking back, she says her path has been shaped by resilience and purpose. “One defining moment is when Icebolethu started in Hammarsdale, the very community where I was raised. In the early days, we had just one small office and five staff members, but we had a very clear purpose. I recognised that many families struggled to organise dignified funerals while dealing with grief, and I wanted to build a service that could support them through that process with compassion and professionalism.”
Expanding on her vision, she explains that it was always about creating a one stop solution where families could access everything they needed in one place, allowing them to focus on mourning their loved ones rather than dealing with administrative stress. “Watching the business grow from those humble beginnings into a national organisation has been one of the most humbling experiences of my journey.” Today, Icebolethu employs over 3,000 people and operates more than 200 sites across South Africa, including customer service branches, administration buildings, operational centres and kiosks in Boxer stores. “What began as a small township business has grown into a trusted brand, but our purpose has remained the same, to serve families with dignity and care,” she shares.
Starting and growing a business is never linear. Reflecting on some of the toughest lessons she has learnt while building Icebolethu, Nomfundo says, “One of the biggest lessons was learning to build something meaningful with very limited resources. When we started, we did not have our own mortuary facilities, we did not have funding, and the funeral industry itself is traditionally male dominated. Entering that environment as a young woman required a lot of courage and resilience.” She adds that there were moments where she had to make difficult decisions with very little margin for error. “Those experiences taught me the value of persistence, discipline and building a strong team around you. Over time, I realised that leadership is not about perfection, but about having the determination to keep moving forward even when the journey is uncertain,” she affirms.
Icebolethu has become known not only as a successful business, but as a brand rooted in purpose and community. Speaking on this intentionality, she explains that it was always part of the vision. “Icebolethu was founded in a township and our growth has always been connected to the people who supported us from the beginning. Over time, we also evolved from being only a funeral services provider into a broader lifestyle brand that supports families in different ways.”
The business has since introduced iSave, a policy designed to pay for itself through discounts and benefits that clients can use during their lifetime. They have also launched iTravel, which assists families with accommodation, flights and transport, particularly when they need to travel for funerals or repatriation services. “Another initiative is iMobile, which supports our employees with access to mobile contracts and also provides affordable connectivity to the public. These innovations are part of our commitment to supporting families not only during moments of loss, but throughout their lives.”
GLAMOUR: As a woman leading a major organisation in South Africa, what barriers or perceptions have you had to navigate along the way?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: The funeral industry has historically been dominated by men, and entering that space as a woman meant I sometimes had to work twice as hard to prove my credibility. There were moments where people questioned whether a woman could lead in such a demanding industry. Instead of focusing on those perceptions, I focused on building a strong organisation, delivering quality service and remaining consistent in our values.
Over time, results speak for themselves. Icebolethu has grown into one of the most recognised brands in the sector, with a national footprint and even international offices in the United Kingdom, supporting families in the diaspora who need assistance repatriating their loved ones back home. That growth is something I am proud of, not only as a businesswoman, but as a woman who challenged traditional expectations within the industry.
GLAMOUR: What advice would you give to women who want to step into leadership or start their own businesses?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: My advice is to believe in your vision and remain committed to it even when the journey becomes difficult. Entrepreneurship requires courage, patience, and resilience. You must be willing to start small, learn continuously, and build strong relationships along the way. I also encourage women to support one another, because when women empower each other, we create stronger opportunities for future generations. What I normally say is that being a woman is not a disability, so do not seek pity and to be given favors just because you are a woman, let us work and claim our space in big boardrooms because we work.
GLAMOUR: Through the Icebolethu Foundation, you’ve invested significantly in community upliftment. Why is it important for businesses to play an active role in the communities they serve?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: Businesses exist because of communities, so it is only right that they contribute to the development of those communities. Through the Icebolethu Foundation, we support a number of initiatives that focus on youth development, education, and empowerment. These include programmes such as the Rhoda Girls initiative where over 200 young women have been nurtured and supported by the programme. We also do sports development, including canoeing programmes, and a Computer Skills Centres that we have built in rural communities to help young people access digital knowledge. Our latest addition are eKasi Business Fairs where we support township and rural SME’s to exhibit their work and bring training programs and funding opportunities. Our belief is that when communities are empowered, businesses also become stronger and more sustainable.
GLAMOUR: Why do you believe township businesses are such an important driver of South Africa’s economic future?
Townships are full of entrepreneurial energy and creativity. Many people operate businesses with very limited resources, yet they continue to innovate and serve their communities. If we provide the right support, training and access to opportunities, township businesses can become powerful drivers of employment and economic growth. That is why initiatives like the Icebolethu Foundation eKasi Business Fair, which we host with our partners are so important.
They create platforms where entrepreneurs can showcase their work, learn from experts and build networks that help them grow. The first one we held in Hammarsdale was huge success where over 110 businesses showcased their work, NYDA committed to come back and provide Funding readiness training, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs committed to allow these business to pitch and will be giving grants to the value of R200 000.
That is what this project is about, to bring tangible change to local businesses.
GLAMOUR: How would you describe your leadership philosophy today?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: My leadership philosophy is rooted in service, integrity and purpose.
I believe a leader must create opportunities for others, empower teams and remain committed to the organisation’s vision even during challenging moments. Leadership is not about authority; it is about responsibility and the ability to inspire people to grow.
This philosophy also extends beyond the business itself through the work we do with the Icebolethu Foundation, which focuses on community upliftment and empowering young people. The work we have done around community development and entrepreneurship has been recognised internationally, including receiving recognition at the Commonwealth Business Excellence Awards in Malaysia & Singapore, which was a proud moment not just for me, but for the entire organisation. It reinforced our belief that purpose-driven leadership can create meaningful impact.
GLAMOUR: How do you balance the demands of leadership with your personal well-being?
Balance requires intentional effort. It is not easy to maintain that balance given the demands of Iecbolethu and my role as SAFPA President, but I make an effort to attend to life outside of work like moments with my family, my friends and I love traveling so I make sure that I include and take time out to travel and see the world. I believe it also helps to sometimes get out of the office and do life, come back refreshed with new energy.
GLAMOUR: What impact do you hope Icebolethu will leave behind?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: I hope Icebolethu will be remembered not only as a successful organisation but as a company that truly changed lives. We want to be known for creating employment, uplifting communities and demonstrating that businesses can grow while remaining deeply rooted in purpose.
Beyond our services, we also extended our impact through storytelling and community engagement. Through our SABC 1 reality television show Icebo Labantu, we were able to reach communities across different provinces, highlighting real stories and assisting families where possible. That platform allowed us to connect with people in a very human way, and it reminded us that our responsibility goes beyond business, it is about making a difference wherever we can.
GLAMOUR: What excites you most about the next chapter for Icebolethu?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: What excites me most is the opportunity to expand our impact. As the organisation grows, we are able to create more employment opportunities, strengthen community initiatives and continue improving the services we offer to families across South Africa. We have 3 recently added businesses within Icebolethu Group; i-Mobile, i-Travel and Memorial Parks, I am looking forward to seeing these grow to be the strongest units within Icebolethu. I am also excited about the plans we have for communities through the Icebolethu Foundation. I am surrounded by committed people who are hungry for growth and I believe we are taking Icebolethu to a better place.
GLAMOUR: During moments of doubt in your journey, what kept you motivated?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: Purpose has always been my anchor. I constantly reminded myself why I started, to serve families with dignity and to create opportunities for others. When you focus on the bigger purpose behind your work, it becomes easier to overcome moments of doubt. God is my number one source of strength, He has carried me through thus far and I believe He is going to assist me to see through the vision he gave me.
GLAMOUR: How do you maintain trust and integrity while scaling the business?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: Trust is built through consistency and accountability. As we grow, we remain committed to the same principles that guided us from the beginning: compassion, professionalism, and integrity. Maintaining those values is essential to sustaining trust.
GLAMOUR: How important is representation in leadership?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: Representation is incredibly important. When young people see leaders who come from similar backgrounds, it helps them believe that their own aspirations are possible. I also believe leadership begins at home. My children work within the organisation and learn the values of discipline and integrity firsthand. Representation also extends to how we present ourselves, our brand identity, including the colour orange, is something I carry proudly because it symbolises the Icebolethu legacy.
GLAMOUR: Did mentorship play a role in your journey?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: Mentorship has played a significant role in shaping my journey. I learned early on by observing those around me, particularly my uncle in Richmond, who owned local shops—watching him run his business showed me that entrepreneurship was possible. Over time, I also came to appreciate the power of walking alongside other business owners, learning from one another, and mentoring each other through platforms like SAFPA, where shared experiences help us grow as an industry. This belief in mentorship is something I carry forward intentionally. It is the reason I founded RHODA Girls, where I have adopted and continue to mentor over 200 young girls, guiding them, exposing them to opportunities, and helping them believe in their own potential.
GLAMOUR: What are you most proud of beyond the success of the business?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: What I am most proud of is the impact we have had on people’s lives. Seeing employees grow within the organisation, supporting communities through the foundation, and creating opportunities for others brings me the greatest sense of fulfilment.
GLAMOUR: Has your definition of success evolved over time?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: Yes, it has evolved significantly. In the beginning, success meant building a sustainable business. Today, it is about impact, how many lives we uplift, how many opportunities we create, and whether we are truly making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. My vision has always been to build Icebolethu into a one-stop solution where families can access everything they need during a difficult time, from funeral services to catering, tombstones, and other arrangements, without the stress of managing everything themselves. This commitment to care extends to our employees as well, which is why we provide daily meals to our staff, supporting their well-being and reinforcing Icebolethu as an employer of choice.
GLAMOUR: What message would you like to share with young South Africans?
Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi-Zondo: I want young people to know that your beginnings do not define your future. I started with one small office and five employees in Hammarsdale, and today Icebolethu has grown into an international brand. That journey happened because I believed in my vision and refused to limit myself. My advice is to remain curious, continue learning and embrace new opportunities. The world is changing rapidly, technology, artificial intelligence and new industries are emerging every day, and young people should position themselves to be part of that future. There is space for everyone to succeed.
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