Marking two decades of service to the broadcast industry, Cris Mutambe has been something of a poster person for the DStv brand in Zimbabwe, showing how local expertise is an essential ingredient in the DStv mix of local and international inputs.
He is managing director of Crism Investments, a leading DStv installer and agent, providing a range of support services to the customer base in Masvingo, Zvishavane and the Lowveld. As an accredited agent, the company provides and installs equipment to enable viewing of DStv and also provides customer service.
Mr Mutambe was born in Chipinge in 1974, but grew up in Nyikavanhu, to where his parents had moved when he was small. His family is related to the Mapungwana chieftainship.
He holds several degrees and diplomas, including a master’s degree in strategic management and a Bachelor of Marketing degree, with honours, from Great Zimbabwe, as well as diplomas in marketing and information systems. He has attended more than 20 courses run within the telecoms industry, and has more than 20 years’ experience in his chosen field.
His career started with the then Posts and Telecommunications Corporation in 1999, then moved into selling electrical goods before opening a small electrical and consultancy shop in the Old Aroma area of Masvingo. Later, he moved the business to Kyle House in the Masvingo CBD and extended into Zvishavane and Chiredzi.
“A church friend in South Africa, Frikkie Max, who owns an electronics company, encouraged me to become a DStv installer and agent and he assisted me to go through the relevant technical and computer training,” he said.
“So in 2001 I became a DStv installer and enjoyed great support from people in MultiChoice and others to help me get the business under way and successful.”
Crism Investments is now an experienced electronics business that provides, with other services, DStv sales and installations, and has also opened Composed Business Investments, a company that undertakes various business consultancy services
Crism also created Crisline Solar Systems, selling solar energy products, panels, invertors ,batteries and various other accessories, as well as repairs and installations.
“In years to come we hope also to look at ventures in mining and agriculture,” said Mr Mutambe.
He is married with five children and also supports his aged mother and other family members, as well as a number of orphans in the Nyikavanhu area. As treasurer of the Nyikavanhu Former Students Association, he is part of a network that helps the primary and secondary schools there.
“As a business we have had our ups and downs, but ‘press on’ is our motto. We continuously strategise to survive,” he said.
“I love this job, and I thrive on customer interaction. My own observation is that DStv is a provider of good customer service. One of my favourite memories was being trained in how to deal with difficult or angry customers!”
Mr Mutambe watches a fair amount of DStv himself, enjoying in particular the SuperSport channels and their coverage of golf, a game he enjoys playing.
“I also like gospel channels and the movie channels.”
He’s looking forward to growth and development in years to come, and to continuing to learn even more in the business world.
“By the grace of God I am committed to providing the best service to all our clients and to continue serving the DStv brand, so I am excited by what comes next,” he said.
