Founder of Sharaude taxis, Mari neUpenyu hwevanhu
By Fanuel Viriri
Paul Mkondo once stood among the world’s most successful insurance professionals after achieving what few dared to dream — selling US$1 million worth of insurance products.
That remarkable feat earned him membership in the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), an elite international body that brought together the best performers in the global insurance industry.
In 1976, when the MDRT counted 11,804 members worldwide, Mkondo distinguished himself as the only African and Zimbabwean in the organisation.
Founded in 1927, the MDRT was dedicated to promoting ethical standards and best business practices among insurance brokers and financial advisors.
At the time, Mkondo worked as an agent for Southampton Insurance. After reaching the coveted US$1 million sales mark, he invested part of his earnings and commissions into buying two small vehicles, which he registered as taxis — an early sign of his entrepreneurial instinct.
He applied for and secured a business stand with the City of Harare in Glen Norah, specifically for a service station. Mkondo named the taxi company Sharaude Glen Norah Taxi Service.
He invested in building a modern garage and service station for his taxis. The fleet expanded to 120 taxis, making him the second-largest taxi company in Rhodesia, after Creamline Taxis.
In recognition of his achievement, Mkondo became a member of the Million Dollar Round Table in 1975, base in Illinois, United States. Notably, he was the only member from Africa, and Zimbabwe, at the time.
Mkoñdo became popular for his insurance radio programme called “Mari Nehupenyu Hwevanhu between 1970 and 1989, which was run by Southampton Life Assurance Company. The signature tune of the programme was “Itayi cent cent” by Tutankhamun Band.
Mkondo was born on December 23, 1945, in Fort Victoria (now Masvingo). He was the second child in a family of 18 and spent his early years in Nerupiri Village, Gutu South. Mkondo later moved to Marondera with his father, who worked as a farm manager.
He began his primary education at Chemhanza Primary School in 1957, before proceeding to Tegwani Secondary School. Mkondo furthered his studies at Bulawayo Technical College, where he trained in hotel catering.
He gained work experience as an assistant manager in charge of the kitchen at Paarlane Hotel, later moving to Federal Motel.
In 1968, Mkondo became the first black Zimbabwean to open a nightclub catering to African patrons, called Mutanga Modern Restaurant. He acquired Club Hideout 99 in Lochnivar from Leonard Nyamutsamba and Conrad Mandiki.
In 1970, Mkondo joined Southampton Assurance Company as an agent, selling life policies. Life policies in then Rhodesia worked as the currency was stable competed with the major currencies in the world. This situation obtained in the new Zimbabwe up to the early 1980’s.
He established his Paul Mkondo Multiple Agents dealing insurance products in 1989.
Sadly, Mkondo passed away in 2012 due to colon cancer and was buried in Toma Village, Chief Svosve area in Hwedza. #fblifestyle #business
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