Nyaradzo acquires Glen Forest cemetery

Zimbabwe's largest funeral assurance provider, the Nyaradzo Group, has acquired the Glen Forest cemetery, which will now be renamed the Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park.

The cemetery, Glen Forest Cemetery, will undergo a major transformation into a modern memorial estate featuring upgraded facilities and expanded services.

The group was founded by Zimbabwean entrepreneur Philip Mataranyika.

Under the redevelopment plans, the new Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park is expected to go beyond a traditional burial site, incorporating landscaped gardens, gated entrances, a crematorium, a contemporary chapel complex, and hospitality facilities including a restaurant and bar overlooking green spaces and water features.

Nyaradzo said the project is designed to create a dignified and peaceful environment where families can gather, reflect, and spend time in remembrance, rather than viewing the site solely as a burial ground.

Architectural plans also include paved internal roads, modern parking areas, pedestrian walkways, and controlled access systems aimed at improving movement and visitor experience within the facility.

The company said the broader vision is to introduce a new standard for memorial parks in Zimbabwe by combining remembrance, ceremony, hospitality, and modern infrastructure in a single integrated space.

Further development will also focus on landscaping and environmental design elements intended to create a calm and organised setting for visitors.

The acquisition marks a significant expansion for Nyaradzo as it continues to grow its footprint in the funeral services and memorial infrastructure sector in Zimbabwe and beyond.