ZIVA: The Vision, The Team,

ZIVA: The Visionaries & The Voyage
Building the future of community support for Zimbabweans in the UK—where Ubuntu meets innovation, and where 20p becomes a shield of £20,000.
Founder's Story
Richard Tapomwa
Affectionately known as Makeke
A Community Fractured, A Vision Born
"In 2020, I looked at our community and saw a paradox: we were working harder than ever, yet we were more fractured than ever. Trust had become a rare currency."
I realized that for us to survive in the Diaspora, we didn't need more 'policies'; we needed more 'people'. Real connections. Genuine solidarity. The kind of Ubuntu that our grandparents practiced without even naming it.
ZIVA was born out of a desire to restore that lost trust. It started with a phone call and a WhatsApp group, but it has grown into a registered Community Interest Company because we realized that 'More Hands' truly do make the 'Weight' less.
We aren't just managing funerals; we are managing the dignity of a nation in exile.
Richard Tapomwa (Founder)
Meet The Admins
William Gandanga
Chairman - Leicestershire Branch
Blessing Nhandara
Admin
Sacha Robinson
Admin
Meet More Admins
Patience Oyeniran-Chipaumire
Admin
Rejoice Jakopo
Admin
Zvichauya Mhaka
Admin
Sifela Chawatama
Admin
Our Foundation
A Bold Goal: The Power of 20p
Imagine the strength of 100,000 Zimbabweans standing shoulder to shoulder. Our goal is as simple as it is revolutionary: 100,000 members donating just 20p each.
In isolation, 20p is insignificant—barely enough for a cup of tea. But collectively, it creates a £20,000 shield for a family in crisis. This is the ultimate evolution of Ubuntu, transforming minor individual contributions into a massive, unbreakable wall of community support.
We're not just pooling money. We're weaving a safety net that catches every member of our community when they need it most.
The Mathematics of Solidarity
100K
Target Members
Building a community of 100,000 Zimbabweans united in purpose
20p
Individual Contribution
A small sacrifice that creates monumental impact
£20K
Collective Power
The shield we create together for families in crisis
Heritage
The Inspiration: From Small Seeds to Giants
1
1845: Old Mutual Begins
Started as a small, local mutual insurance society—essentially a burial club for a modest group of people
2
Decades of Growth
Gradual expansion through trust, community support, and unwavering commitment to members
3
Today: Continental Giant
Now a financial behemoth serving millions across Africa and beyond
4
2020: ZIVA Launches
We begin our own journey with the same principles that built empires
We are unapologetically ambitious. Our "Dream Quest" follows this proven path—starting with the dignity of a funeral, but building toward a multi-faceted future where the Zimbabwean Diaspora controls its own financial and social destiny.
Our Blueprint for Transformation
ZIVA begins with dignity at life's end, but our vision extends far beyond. We are designing a comprehensive support system that serves every stage of the diaspora experience—from arrival to legacy.
Vision
Beyond the Final Farewell
Supported Living in the UK
While our first successful initiative has been the funeral support grant, we refuse to be defined only by the end of life. ZIVA is fundamentally about supported living in the UK.
We're building an ecosystem where Zimbabweans thrive—not just survive—throughout every season of their journey in the diaspora. From the moment someone arrives to the legacy they leave behind, ZIVA stands as a pillar of support.
Priority One
The Silver Tsunami: Supporting Our First Generation
Our Pioneers
The first generation of Zimbabweans to settle in the UK—our trailblazers—are aging gracefully but need support
Culturally Sensitive Care
Specialized programs ensuring those who built this community don't face old age in isolation
Practical Support
From medication delivery to social care coordination—building a comprehensive safety net
Honoring Those Who Paved the Way
"We are developing programs to ensure that those who built this community are not left to face old age in isolation. They gave us foundation—we give them dignity."
Social Connection Programs
Regular community gatherings that combat isolation and celebrate our shared heritage
Healthcare Navigation
Assistance understanding and accessing NHS services with cultural competency
Financial Guidance
Support with pensions, benefits, and financial planning for retirement years
Next Generation
Not Just "Mum and Dad's Thing"
A Message to Our Youth
ZIVA is not just a funeral group. It is a legacy-building machine. We are expanding our programs to include initiatives that resonate with younger Zimbabweans—focusing on what matters to you.
We're moving from a "burial society" to a social movement that secures the future for those just starting their journeys in the UK.
Building Your Future With ZIVA
Professional Networking
Connect with successful Zimbabweans across industries—mentorship, job opportunities, and collaborative ventures
Financial Literacy
Workshops on investing, property ownership, wealth building, and smart money management in the UK
Community Identity
Cultural events, language programs, and heritage celebrations that keep you connected to your roots
Entrepreneurship Support
Resources for starting businesses, accessing capital, and building enterprises that serve our community
Leading Ourselves, Building Legacy
A Phone Call
One conversation about a community member in need
A WhatsApp Group
Grassroots organizing through digital connections
A Registered CIC
Formal structure protecting our community's interests
A Movement
An institution our children will proudly inherit
We are proving that we can lead ourselves, support ourselves, and build an institution that transcends generations. This is self-determination in action.
Leadership
Meet Your Administrators
The Stewards of the Vision
Every ZIVA administrator serves voluntarily—no one draws a salary. We are united by belief in the mission, not personal profit. Our commitment is protected by law through the Asset Lock provision of our Community Interest Company structure.
Each administrator brings unique expertise, cultural understanding, and unwavering dedication to serving our community with transparency and integrity.
Our Ethos: The Principles That Guide Us
Volunteerism
No Admin takes a salary. We serve because we believe in the mission. Every hour we dedicate, every decision we make, comes from genuine commitment to our community's wellbeing. This isn't a job—it's a calling.
Transparency
Every penny is accounted for. Via Stripe and Join It, protected by the legal structure of a CIC. Financial reports are accessible to members. No hidden fees, no mysterious allocations. Your trust is earned through radical openness.
The Asset Lock
ZIVA can never be sold for private gain. Our constitution ensures that the value we build is locked for the community, forever. Future generations will inherit this legacy intact—a permanent institution serving Zimbabwean interests.
The Asset Lock: Your Permanent Protection
Constitutional Guarantee
The Asset Lock is not just policy—it's legally binding protection written into ZIVA's founding documents as a Community Interest Company.
No administrator can ever purchase ZIVA's assets
No private investor can acquire control
All value created remains community property
Future modifications require member approval
This ensures ZIVA serves Zimbabweans in perpetuity, never becoming a vehicle for personal enrichment.
Technology Serving Tradition
Stripe Integration
Secure, transparent payment processing with full audit trails. Every transaction recorded, every contribution tracked, all visible to members.
Join It Platform
Streamlined membership management making it easy to join, contribute, and stay connected with your community.
CIC Legal Protection
Community Interest Company structure provides regulatory oversight and member protection under UK law.
Our Promise
Ubuntu Evolved: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Structure
Community First
Every decision centered on member wellbeing
Trust Restored
Transparency and accountability in every action
Protection Delivered
Reliable support when families need it most
Legacy Building
Creating lasting institutions for future generations
This is how we honor our ancestors while securing our children's future. This is how we transform individual vulnerability into collective strength. This is ZIVA.
The Journey Ahead
01
Join the Movement
Become one of the 100,000 members building our collective shield
02
Contribute Always
Small individual action creating massive communal impact
03
Access Support When Needed
From funeral assistance to eldercare to youth programs—ZIVA stands ready
04
Build Legacy Together
Create an institution that serves Zimbabweans for generations to come
More Hands Make the Weight Less
From a phone call to a movement. From 20p to £20,000. From isolation to Ubuntu restored.
ZIVA is not just an organization—it is our collective answer to the question: How do we take care of our own?
Join us in building the future of Zimbabwean diaspora support. Together, we are unstoppable.