Pauline Mhuka-Magavu Business Reporter
EDWARD Gomba has been re-elected president of the Zimbabwe Association of Funeral Assurers (ZAFA) for the third term running. Gomba is the founder and CEO for Ruvimbo Funeral Assurance. He will be deputised by Talent Maziwisa managing director of Doves Funeral who was also re-elected first vice president.
Sunset Funeral Assurance CEO Blazio Chaka was re-elected second vice president.
Vineyard Funeral Assurance CEO Solomon Chikanda was elected ZAFA secretary general
Gomba has championed the opening of a Funeral Industry Pension Fund.
He was also at the fore front of the creation of Funeral Services Association (FuSA) which is being run by Moonlight Funeral Assurances and Services CEO Chomi Makina and the publication of a ZAFA magazine which is published quarterly.
During his first two tenures, Gomba set up offices for ZAFA at 209 Samora Machel Ave and has an administration staff that runs the association’s daily operations.
ZAFA also now has its pension fund.
Speaking after his election, Gomba said he intends to make sure that funeral assurers were much more united in order for them to be able to provide professional services to the nation.
“This will enable ZAFA to become a force to reckon with in Zimbabwe. We will also soon come up with measures to curb corruption in the industry.
“ZAFA will hold its first conference in Victoria Falls in May this year to discuss a number of issues which will make this industry serve people much better,” Gomba said.
“This year we are working on the formation of a SADC Funeral Assurers Association for the purposes of knowledge sharing and coming up with policies and procedures for the funeral industry in the region,” added Gomba.
He said continuous training programs for the industry and engagement with government to improve service delivery and operations would increase this year.