The MaMi Group on 25 August officially broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art head office, a milestone hailed as a testament to the company's regional growth and community empowerment ambitions.
The intimate ceremony was attended by company directors, government representatives and key stakeholders. The 5,554 m² development makes provision for a basement, ground floor, mezzanine, seven office levels and a premium executive floor. The date of completion is set for 2027.
Designed by architect Mpho Magwabeni and supported by a team of engineers, consultants and contractors, the building promises to meet high standards of design, safety and sustainability. The top executive floor will house MaMi's leadership, and plans are under consideration to lease one or two floors to professional tenants.
The project is deeply rooted in the legacy of N.G. Magwabeni, the Group's chairman and founder, who has long emphasised the importance of serving people and building sustainable communities.
MaMi Group at a glance
Founded in 2012, MaMi Group is a private company based in Thohoyandou. Its financial services arm, MaMiGroup Financial Services was launched in 2017.
The Group includes several enterprises across sectors, such as MMG Finance, MaMi Hire, MTG Funerals, 2Ten Hotel, MGB Hotel, Lushika Water and more - underlining its diversified footprint in local commerce.
The funeral-insurance business, originally established in 1990 as Professional Insurance Brokers (PIB), recently rebranded to MMG Financial Services (Makuvhile Magwabeni Investment). The change emphasises the Group's commitment to family heritage and service excellence.
MaMi maintains multiple branches across the province, including offices in Polokwane, Giyani, Johannesburg, Louis Trichardt, Sibasa - and the current head office sits in Thohoyandou's Limdev Building, while MTG Funerals is located on the Punda Maria road.
Economic impact and community upliftment
Construction of the new headquarters is expected to create more than 100 jobs, with further employment to follow once operational. This aligns with MaMi's core principle: "Building Africa, Empowering Africans."
The Vhembe District Municipality's Executive Mayor, Cllr Fridah Nkondo welcomed the venture, praising the Group's role in driving Thohoyandou toward world-class status:
"We have a serious challenge of youth unemployment and poverty in the Vhembe District, and we thank the MaMi Group for bringing job opportunities right to our doorstep," she said during the launch ceremony last week.
"With big and modern infrastructure like this, we are on the verge of becoming a city. We call on other businesses to work hand in glove with local municipalities to improve the standard of living in the Vhembe District."