National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa - Nafupa SA

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

NAFUPA SA: 180 DAYS OF PROGRESS, GROWTH AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES UNDER THE 2026 NEC

A Statement of Encouragement and Progress Review

As we mark 180 days under the leadership of the 2026 National Executive Committee (NEC), we are proud to reflect on the progress made by NAFUPA SA in strengthening our organisation, empowering our members and creating opportunities for sustainable growth within the funeral industry.

The past six months have been a period of renewed commitment, expanding representation and meaningful initiatives aimed at building a stronger, more united and prosperous organisation. Our progress demonstrates what can be achieved when leadership and members work together towards a common vision.

A Growing Organisation with National Representation

One of the significant milestones achieved during this period is NAFUPA SA's representation across all nine provinces of South Africa. The arrival of the Free State, with more than 50 members, is a welcome development that strengthens our national footprint and demonstrates the growing confidence in our organisation.

We have also introduced new programmes designed to encourage member participation, promote professional conduct and support business development. The launch of _President Wednesday_, for example, encourages members to take pride in their brands, uphold professional standards and build businesses that command respect in the marketplace.

Creating Opportunities for Our Members

The NEC remains committed to ensuring that membership translates into practical opportunities. Our engagement with suppliers in Gauteng regarding the cold rooms announced by the President at our conference is part of this commitment to improving the operational capacity of our members.

We are also proud to introduce two underwriting opportunities that can contribute to member development and business growth.

Fair Growth, now operating as Nafupa SA-owned and led by Mama Khoza, continues to make a positive contribution to members in the Free State. Members are encouraged to explore this opportunity and understand how it may support their businesses.

In addition, NAFUPA SA has introduced a product specifically designed for its members, particularly those who are new to the funeral industry. The product offers a one-plus-nine cover for individuals up to 64 years of age, at a stated premium of R350, with R20,000 cover and additional benefits, including repatriation, a casket benefit subject to the applicable conditions, and a 40% Avis car-rental discount. The product also offers policy administration and premium collection facilities, backed by Kunene Makopa Insurance. Members are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the product terms and conditions so that they can communicate its benefits accurately and responsibly to prospective clients.

These initiatives reflect our determination to help members access tools, products and partnerships that can support their growth in an increasingly competitive industry.

Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary

Our 10th anniversary celebrations, held at the Premier Hotel in Umhlanga, Moses Mabhida Stadium and Rooftop KwaMashu, remain a proud chapter in the history of NAFUPA SA. The celebrations brought together members, industry leaders and distinguished guests to recognise a decade of commitment and progress.

We were honoured by the presence of SAFPA President Dr Nomfundo Mcoyi Zondo, the AFPO NEC and the Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Metro, who delivered the keynote address. Members who attended the celebrations also received uniforms, reinforcing our sense of identity, unity and belonging.

During the conference, the President announced the donation of five mortuary units to assist members with their daily operations. Someleze, Bejay, Amadodana and Amyo FS have already received their trailers. This initiative demonstrates the importance of turning organisational commitments into practical support for members on the ground.

Recognising Excellence and Entrepreneurial Achievement

We are encouraged by the remarkable growth witnessed in the Western Cape after a prolonged period of limited progress. At the MTN Conference in Cape Town, NAFUPA SA members reportedly made up approximately 90% of those in attendance, reflecting an encouraging level of participation and visibility.

We also congratulate our members who participated in the National Funeral Business Awards and returned with five awards. We recognise Umhlanga, Bablo, Cartel and the young, enthusiastic entrepreneur behind Nonkanyiso Funerals for their achievements.

Their success reminds us that our members have the potential to compete, innovate and excel. Every award earned by a member adds to the visibility of our industry and inspires others to pursue excellence.

We further congratulate everyone who has successfully completed their YBD test and those who have already received their YBD. Every qualification, achievement and new business milestone is another step towards professional growth.

A Call to Every NAFUPA SA Member

As we look towards the next 180 days, our message is simple: the journey has begun, but there is still much more to achieve.

NAFUPA SA is a home for growth, opportunity and collective advancement. However, the benefits of belonging to an organisation are best realised when members actively participate in its programmes, embrace available opportunities and commit themselves to continuous learning and improvement.

To those who have already responded to the call, we thank you for your dedication and participation. To those who have not yet taken part, we encourage you to get involved. Do not allow hesitation or inaction to delay your progress. Some opportunities require us to act when they arise, and our willingness to participate can make a meaningful difference in our businesses.

Like Mamelodi Sundowns, we must continue to believe that the sky is the limit. Our achievements over the past 180 days should not be a reason to become complacent, but a motivation to aim higher, work harder and build stronger businesses.

On behalf of the NEC, I extend my sincere appreciation to every member who has continued to uphold _Uthixo Unathi_ throughout the country. Your faith, commitment and contribution remain important to the growth of our organisation.

As we move forward, let us remain united in purpose, proud of our brands, committed to professionalism and determined to create a lasting legacy for the next generation of funeral industry entrepreneurs.

The first 180 days have laid an important foundation. The next chapter belongs to all of us. Together, we can build a stronger NAFUPA SA.

Issued by:

MUZI HLENGWA
President of NAFUPA SA
Contact: 084 284 8400

20/09/2026

STATEMENT TO THE PUBLIC

A Humble Appeal to Bereaved Families to Prioritise Funeral Service Payments

The death care sector would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all families and members of the public who continue to support our businesses and entrust us with the responsibility of caring for their loved ones during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

We fully understand that losing a loved one is one of the most painful and devastating experiences a family can face. We also recognise that bereavement often comes at a time when families are experiencing financial difficulties. Some families have not made adequate financial preparations, while others may find themselves let down by insurance policies when they need assistance the most.

We therefore understand the challenges that bereaved families face, and we remain committed to assisting wherever we can.

However, we would like to make a humble appeal to all bereaved families to prioritise the payment of funeral and burial services provided by undertakers.

Funeral businesses, like all other businesses, have financial responsibilities. We must pay our employees, maintain our vehicles and equipment, pay rent, electricity, water, fuel, insurance and other operational costs. When funeral services are provided without payment, it places significant financial pressure on the undertakers and the employees and families who depend on these businesses for their livelihoods.

We respectfully appeal to families to make funeral service payments a priority and, wherever possible, to settle outstanding amounts before or during the funeral arrangements.

We understand that families may make different choices regarding funeral arrangements according to their cultural practices, traditions and financial circumstances. However, we ask that the same consideration be extended to the undertaker who is providing an essential service. Where resources are limited, families are encouraged to communicate openly with their undertaker and discuss their circumstances before arrangements are finalised.

We further appeal to members of the public to avoid immediately taking disputes involving funeral service providers to social media or public platforms without first attempting to engage with the company concerned. Public accusations can have serious consequences for businesses, their employees and the families who depend on those businesses for their livelihoods.

The death care sector does not regard bereaved families as merely customers. We understand the responsibility entrusted to us when a family gives us the care of their loved one. We will continue to treat families with dignity, compassion and respect. However, we also need the public to understand that compassion and business sustainability must go hand in hand.

We therefore call on South Africans to plan ahead and consider appropriate funeral or burial cover. Death is an inevitable part of life, and proper financial preparation can help families avoid additional financial pressure at an already difficult time.

To all the families who continue to support the death care sector, we say thank you for your trust and unwavering support.

To bereaved families, we say: we understand your pain, we respect your circumstances, and we are willing to assist wherever reasonably possible. We simply ask that you also respect the services we provide by making payment a priority.

Let us work together to ensure that families receive dignified funerals while funeral service providers are able to remain sustainable and continue serving communities.

Issued by:
NAFUPA SA
President
Muzi Hlengwa
084 284 8400

01/09/2026

STATEMENT OF UNITY OF THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY
A Call for Unity, Growth, Professionalism and the Protection of the Funeral Industry

Issued by: Muzi Hlengwa, President of Nafupa SA
Durban, South Africa | 1 September 2026 | 07:30

The leadership of Nafupa SA is built on experience, resilience and a proven record of breaking boundaries in the funeral industry. We are a leadership that has never shied away from challenges. Instead, every challenge has strengthened our resolve and compelled us to build greater capacity, broaden our leadership base and bring into our ranks quality leaders from different associations, organisations and sectors of the funeral industry.

The funeral industry has grown because there were leaders who stood firm when it mattered. Nafupa SA has stood tall, without fear and without shame, in defending the dignity, interests and future of this important industry.

Today, as President of Nafupa SA, I make a clear and urgent call for a united front within the funeral industry.

Our responsibility as industry leaders goes beyond representing individual organisations. We have a duty to protect the industry itself, strengthen those who are already operating within it, promote professionalism and ensure that the funeral sector has a sustainable future for generations to come.

The time for unity is now

We cannot continue with a fragmented industry characterised by numerous small associations, forums and structures competing for the same space while the industry itself remains insufficiently organised and formalised.

We need to move decisively towards the formalisation of the funeral industry.

Every legitimate undertaker should belong to a recognised and formal industry association. We must build an industry where standards are respected, professionalism is upheld and legitimate businesses are protected.

This is not about excluding people unfairly. It is about creating an organised, accountable and professional industry in which those who are already committed to the sector can grow, improve their standards and build sustainable businesses.

The funeral industry should not become a free-for-all where anyone can enter the sector without proper standards, accountability, skills, compliance or commitment to the profession.

One industry. A united leadership.

For too long, our industry has struggled with fragmentation. We have a federation that has unfortunately not provided the level of leadership, vision and decisive direction that the industry requires. As a consequence, more associations and forums continue to emerge.

We believe the answer is not to create more structures. The answer is unity.

Our call is for industry leaders to come together and work towards a united and purposeful leadership structure. Ideally, the industry should have no more than three strong representative associations, structured to accommodate the different levels of business within the sector:

One association representing the interests of large funeral businesses;
One association representing medium-sized funeral businesses; and
One association representing small funeral businesses.

Beyond these representative structures, we must honestly ask ourselves: What purpose is served by having numerous smaller associations and forums that continue to divide the voice of the industry?

Our objective must be to build strength through unity rather than numbers through fragmentation.

The question of federation

For approximately two to three years, efforts have been made to dissolve competing federations and bring the industry together under one recognised federation, the Funeral Federation of South Africa (FFSA).

The UTT, which I lead, has already agreed in principle to formally dissolve into FFSA. Our leadership has demonstrated that this commitment to unity is genuine by not seeking positions or personal advantage from the proposed merger.

Unfortunately, the process has taken far too long to be formally concluded.

We cannot allow the pursuit of unity to remain permanently trapped in negotiations and administrative processes while the industry continues to fragment.

Where unity is possible, we must achieve it. Where existing structures are unable to deliver unity, industry leaders must have the courage to find another path.

Nafupa SA extends its hand

Nafupa SA therefore extends an open and sincere invitation to like-minded associations, forums and industry leaders to join hands with us.

We call upon smaller associations and forums to consider formally merging with Nafupa SA and becoming part of a stronger industry platform.

This is not a call for the destruction of leadership. It is a call for the consolidation of leadership.

We believe that leaders should not be afraid of unity. The strength of a leader should be measured by the ability to build something bigger than themselves.

I therefore appeal to leaders of smaller organisations: do not wait until your members have already chosen unity before you choose it yourselves.

The future of this industry belongs to those who are prepared to put the collective interests of the funeral profession above organisational pride, personal positions and individual agendas.

No leader can permanently stop an idea whose time has come.

The time for unity has come.

Protecting the future of the industry

Nafupa SA believes that the funeral industry must become a properly recognised, formalised and professional sector capable of creating sustainable businesses and lasting opportunities.

We must create an environment where serious undertakers can grow, where standards can improve, where young entrepreneurs can enter the industry responsibly, and where businesses can create legacies that can be passed from one generation to another.

Our vision extends beyond South Africa.

From Cape to Cairo, from Morocco to Madagascar, Nafupa SA seeks to contribute towards building a funeral industry that is professional, sustainable and capable of creating opportunities across Africa.

We want Nafupa SA to be a vehicle for growth for serious undertakers and for people who are committed to building businesses that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

My dream is simple but profound: one day, a South African child must be able to stand tall and compete successfully with the children of all nations.

That future will not be built through division.

It will be built through unity, growth and professionalism.

We must therefore put aside our differences, strengthen our institutions, consolidate our leadership and protect the funeral industry with everything we have.

Nafupa SA is ready to play its part.

We invite associations, forums, business owners and industry leaders who share this vision to stand with us.

Let us unite the leadership.
Let us protect the industry.
Let us formalise our sector.
Let us grow together.
Let us build a professional funeral industry for generations to come.

Sisebenzile manje — sigade umzila ngendlela enobuchwepheshe, ngesithunzi nangobunye.

UNITY. GROWTH. PROFESSIONALISM.

Issued by:
MUZI HLENGWA
President, Nafupa SA
Durban, South Africa
084 284 8400
1 September 2026 | 07:30

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23/08/2026

Statement of Support for Flam Funeral Services
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR FLAM FUNERAL SERVICES

Issued by the National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa (NAFUPA SA)
President
Muzi Hlengwa
23 August 2026

The National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa (NAFUPA SA) wishes to express its full support for Flam Funeral Services in Isipingo and to condemn any form of political interference, intimidation or undue pressure directed at funeral service providers in the ex*****on of their lawful business.

The funeral services sector is an essential part of our society. Undertakers provide a critical service to families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives and deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

NAFUPA SA is particularly concerned about the continued involvement of political figures and political candidates in disputes involving funeral service providers. We strongly caution the MK Party councillor candidate and her supporters against using political influence, real or perceived, to interfere in the legitimate operations of funeral businesses.

Funeral policies and funeral cover are governed by terms and conditions which provide clear guidance on the rights and responsibilities of both the policyholder and the funeral service provider. Where a policy has lapsed, the funeral service provider cannot reasonably be expected to provide services without payment.

It is our understanding that the funeral cover in question had lapsed and that the family was therefore required to make payment for the funeral. In these circumstances, it would be unfair and unreasonable to expect Flam Funeral Services to conduct a funeral without receiving payment for the services rendered.

If the councillor candidate genuinely wished to assist the bereaved family, there were constructive alternatives available, including mobilising financial assistance or raising funds to help the family meet the funeral costs. Political intervention, confrontation or pressure on an undertaker is not an appropriate solution.

NAFUPA SA is deeply concerned that such conduct could set a dangerous precedent for the funeral services industry. If political candidates are permitted to interfere with funeral businesses today, funeral practitioners may face even greater challenges tomorrow. We therefore call upon all political organisations and their candidates to respect the independence of funeral service providers and to refrain from using political platforms to intimidate or interfere with legitimate commercial activities.

We further call upon the leadership of the MK Party to urgently provide appropriate guidance and training to its candidates on the limits of political authority, community leadership and the lawful resolution of disputes. Candidates seeking public office must understand that holding or seeking political office does not give anyone the authority to disregard contractual agreements or interfere in private businesses.

NAFUPA SA also appeals to members of the public to treat funeral practitioners with respect. Undertakers are essential service providers who operate businesses that employ people, maintain facilities and vehicles, purchase equipment and incur substantial costs in providing dignified funeral services. Like any other service provider, they are entitled to be paid for services rendered in accordance with agreed terms and conditions.

We stand firmly with Flam Funeral Services and all law-abiding funeral practitioners who conduct their businesses professionally and with dignity.

NAFUPA SA will continue to defend the interests of funeral practitioners and advocate for a funeral services sector that is free from intimidation, political interference and abuse of influence.

Issued by:
Muzi Hlengwa
President of the
National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa (NAFUPA SA)
Tel: 084 284 8400

23/08/2026

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