STOKVEL FEATURE

ITEKENG BURIAL STOKVEL ASSISTING EACH OTHER IN TRYING TIMES

Thokozile Mnguni speaks to Itekeng Burial Society committee member, Elizabeth Mabitsela, about their plans and achievements.

Itekeng Burial Society was formed in 1989 by twenty community members after they noticed a community need, your help when a family lost a loved one. This stokvel solution pays out when a member loses a family member that enables them to purchase groceries and a coffin.

Rules and Regulations

When a new member joins the club, rules and regulations are made clear to that particular person. The club members are governed by a set of rules and are encouraged to respect one another as they consist of different age groups. The club covers the immediate family members only, including children and parents, but the amount of money varies between children and parents. There is also a joining fee for new members who wish to join the club. When a club member has lost a family member, a proof of death certificate has to be submitted and the club members are also entitled to conduct their own investigation to verify that there has indeed been a death in the family.

Where the club meets

The society is based in Majaneng Township and, every second Saturday, meetings are held at a member’s home. Each member pays a fee of R20 to cover the costs of refreshments for the day. Members also brainstorm ideas and discuss ways they could run the club more efficiently.

Contributions

Members contribute a total amount of R50 which is deposited into a bank account. The money is divided, and a certain amount pays for coffins upfront at one of the local funeral parlours. When someone dies, the member is given an amount of R2000 and also receives a coffin.

Elizabeth Mabitsela

More about the society

Elizabeth Mabitsela has been with the club since its inception says that members also help each other with funeral arrangements. Elizabeth highlighted that whilst the goal of the club focusees on providing financial support during a time of loss, club members assist each other by preparing food, serving guests and helping with housework. This is especially important as some community members do not have nearby relatives.

Future plans

“We plan to attract more people who are willing to help each other and we are also discussing the purchase of a marquee, tables and chairs so that nobody need struggle with hiring these items for funerals. We have bought food warmers to make things easier as they are needed for all occasions. We also plan to encourage our children to join the club so that when we are old or have passed on, they should continue with the work that we are doing,” says Elizabeth.