WHEN these men’s fathers realised that they were old enough to have their own families, they left their burial society and stopped paying instalments . . .
“Our fathers did not want trouble and neither do we. So when we were old enough, we took over their society accounts and they became our dependents.
“If we die here, there is no way our children must come to fetch our bodies. The society will take us home,” said Emmanuel Thovhala, chairman of Phalaphala Burial Society based in Galfontein, Joburg.
Phalaphala’s members come from villages in Limpopo. Emmanuel said their fathers started the society before they were born. Back then it was called Nthabalala-Mulima. In 2003 it was reformed when members realised that their children would be in a better position to take care of them.
Emmanuel said their burial payout is R12 000 for each of the 26 members – including spouses. Their parents, kids and dependents get less burial money.
They meet at a selected place on the third Sunday of every month in Galfontein.
Those who want to join them must pay R1 500 to be a full member.
Every month each member pays a R120 contribution. If a member should die, the society hires a bus to transport all of Phalaphala’s members and their immediate family to attend the funeral in Limpopo.
