FAMILIES that pray together, enjoy together and face the tough times together, build a bond that lasts for generations.
This is what was in the minds of the elders of the Machimana clan when they started the Machimana family society 31 years ago.
Cassius Machimana, public relations officer of the Machimana family society, said: “The aim was to ensure that our family members know each other.
“Because most of the time when elders of our family pass away young people turn their backs on each other.”
They rotate their meetings every first week of the month around Tzaneen in Limpopo.
Each member pays R120 and all the money is taken to the bank.
At the end of the year they go on an outing and spend half of the money from their savings account to cover all expenses.
They choose venues to go to every year and are still to confirm the venue and date for this year’s outing.
Each family in this society takes his entire family along for the day of fun.
If death occurs, the society pays R6 000 to the mourning family. This includes in-laws and children above six years old.
For those under six years of age families are paid half of that amount.
“We don’t only focus on burying our people when they die, but also buy each other presents if one of us celebrates a wedding, birthday party or unveiling and many more.
“The society withdraws an amount of R500 that will be used to buy that celebrant a gift or present.
“The society has also invested money in six different companies to accumulate better interest,” added Cassius.