06 Jul 2015

When death strikes, sorrow penetrates through the hearts of those close to the departed, and the feeling of sadness is worse if the family in mourning cannot afford a coffin for burial.

After realizing that some Batswana are find it hard to bury their loved ones, concerned young citizens established a coffin manufacturing company with the intention to offload more sorrow for the bereaved family by providing affordable coffins.

Through funding by the Department of Gender Affairs P184 000, Jackchris Basal Coffin and Furniture Manufacturing Company was born. The company which is based in Mochudi is a joint venture made up of four women and one man. 

Despite the manufacturing industry being male dominated four ladies beat all the odds and started the company with only one male. Ms Ganetsang Nonyane who is one of the partners told BOPA that the company which was started early in January this year is doing well.

She said the company has a good relationship with Golden mortuary as they normally sell their coffins to them. She said that they also sell their coffins to individuals. 

Ms Nonyane said wood carving for coffins is done by the male partner who has a versatile background knowledge on the art and the ladies do joinery to make a finished product. She highlighted that the company does not only deal with manufacturing of coffins, but are also involved in the manufacturing of furniture products such as chest drawers, wall wardrobes fitting. 

Just a few months since its inception , Jackchris Basal Coffin and Furniture Manufacturing has made a permanent mark in the coffin manufacturing industry as it is beginning to get recognition. The newly established company scooped position one at the 2015 Women’s Expo Botswana under the manufacturing category.

This unique coffin manufacturer has a buying policy which suits those who are financially disadvantaged to afford too expensive coffins. Their coffins range between P1 900 and P 6000.

Unlike other companies where people are expected to pay the whole amount right on the spot to get a coffin, with Jackchris things are different. If the bereaved family cannot afford to pay cash the company allows them to make payment arrangement for the coffin after burial. 

Ms Nonyane said, sometimes they are forced to give a coffin to a stranded family which can be paid back on a monthly basis. She noted that they are in the process of establishing a funeral policy, which will allow people to insure their life at a very reasonable price. 

BOPA caught up with one customer, Ms Lucy Mojalemotho who was among the crowd surrounding the Jackchris Basal Coffin and Furniture Manufacturing stall at the Expo.

She was impressed by the service that the company offers, the cost effectiveness of the coffins and the policy where one is allowed get a coffin and pay after burial on a monthly basis. She said this was indeed overwhelming as most people will no longer experience problems when burying their loved ones. ENDS