Tombstone business aims for dizzy heights

By: TONDERAI KATSWARA

HE is a popular figure in Katutura, where he is known as the maker of tombstones to honour the dearly departed.

This man is Fillipus Itula, popularly and affectionately known as

Dr Stone, the owner of Katutura Memorial Stones.

The eloquent Itula says he is very happy with his business and

has never looked back since he started manufacturing tombstones for

sale way back in 1992 in Katutura, where he is still based.

 

Fitting the image of an industrial manufacturer to a T, dressed

in his blue work overalls and heavy, black safety shoes, Itula

describes his abilities as a God-given talent that has brought him

fame and fortune and continues to lead him to further

successes.

 

Itula entered into the business after the death of an uncle.

 

Realising that family members were struggling to pay the funeral

costs, Itula - who at that time was still in school - decided to

contribute by making a tombstone for the gravesite.

 

Itula says word got around about the tombstone that he had made

and from then orders started pouring in.

 

These tombstones come in various sizes and shapes with

inscriptions and designs set in a manner conforming to customers'

demands.

 

Itula laments the idea that no big organisation could help when

he needed the financial support and that he had to scrounge around

and make ends meet from his own meagre savings.

 

Itula says he works on every tombstone as if it's his last one,

making each individual stone a unique piece.

 

Itula has seven employees and together they do everything from

cutting and shaping the stones, designing and engraving

inscriptions and decorations, to polishing and installation.

 

Marble and granite are the preferred types of stone.

 

Cement also plays a vital role in the moulding.

 

A variety of chemicals are used for painting and polishing to

bring out the necessary shine.

 

The seven workers have been personally trained by Itula,

bringing that personal touch to the business.

 

As his business grew, Itula became a household name amongst

Namibians and he is now also doing business with customers from as

far as South Africa, Angola and Botswana.

 

Seeking to broaden his horizons, Itula recently entered into a

partnership with Michael Ott and Mark Hoffman to set up Namibia

Stone Services, which will be launched soon.

 

This company will continue with Itula's tombstone business, but

intends to diversify into manufacturing tabletops, kitchen surfaces

and tiles.

 

The new business will move into bigger premises in the Northern

Industrial Area, equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and

heavy-duty equipment that will increase production

significantly.

 

Itula is very excited about the venture, which he says will also

create more jobs for local youths.

 

"There is a bright future and hopefully we will be able to

employ more people.

 

We want to diversify and get more out of this venture...

 

Since 1992 the operations have grown but with this joint venture

it will definitely grow significantly."

 

As we wind up the interview, Itula receives a call on his

cellular phone and he quickly answers; "Yes, this is Dr Stone

speaking..."

 

A man on a mission, and ready to talk business.

 

Itula, married and a father of five, says he hardly has time to

rest as he is continuously busy, always ready to assist customers

at any time of the day or night.

 

The eloquent Itula says he is very happy with his business and has

never looked back since he started manufacturing tombstones for

sale way back in 1992 in Katutura, where he is still based.Fitting

the image of an industrial manufacturer to a T, dressed in his blue

work overalls and heavy, black safety shoes, Itula describes his

abilities as a God-given talent that has brought him fame and

fortune and continues to lead him to further successes. Itula

entered into the business after the death of an uncle.Realising

that family members were struggling to pay the funeral costs, Itula

- who at that time was still in school - decided to contribute by

making a tombstone for the gravesite.Itula says word got around

about the tombstone that he had made and from then orders started

pouring in.These tombstones come in various sizes and shapes with

inscriptions and designs set in a manner conforming to customers'

demands.Itula laments the idea that no big organisation could help

when he needed the financial support and that he had to scrounge

around and make ends meet from his own meagre savings.Itula says he

works on every tombstone as if it's his last one, making each

individual stone a unique piece.Itula has seven employees and

together they do everything from cutting and shaping the stones,

designing and engraving inscriptions and decorations, to polishing

and installation.Marble and granite are the preferred types of

stone.Cement also plays a vital role in the moulding.A variety of

chemicals are used for painting and polishing to bring out the

necessary shine.The seven workers have been personally trained by

Itula, bringing that personal touch to the business.As his business

grew, Itula became a household name amongst Namibians and he is now

also doing business with customers from as far as South Africa,

Angola and Botswana.Seeking to broaden his horizons, Itula recently

entered into a partnership with Michael Ott and Mark Hoffman to set

up Namibia Stone Services, which will be launched soon.This company

will continue with Itula's tombstone business, but intends to

diversify into manufacturing tabletops, kitchen surfaces and

tiles.The new business will move into bigger premises in the

Northern Industrial Area, equipped with state-of-the-art machinery

and heavy-duty equipment that will increase production

significantly.Itula is very excited about the venture, which he

says will also create more jobs for local youths."There is a bright

future and hopefully we will be able to employ more people.We want

to diversify and get more out of this venture...Since 1992 the

operations have grown but with this joint venture it will

definitely grow significantly."As we wind up the interview, Itula

receives a call on his cellular phone and he quickly answers; "Yes,

this is Dr Stone speaking..."A man on a mission, and ready to talk

business.Itula, married and a father of five, says he hardly has

time to rest as he is continuously busy, always ready to assist

customers at any time of the day or night.

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