LIKE so many fly-by-night Mzansi businesses, the funeral services are filled with cruel predators and dodgy unprofessional operators.
And this is one reason why A re Tshwaraneng Social Club has set in motion a plan to start a decent funeral parlour.
The club had about 30 members when it was launched back in 2003. Most of the members are based in areas such as Soshanguve and other parts of North West.
SunStokvel spoke to their chairman Fanie Bila, who said: “Our club, like most societies, provides a service to its members when one of us or a close relative dies. While we were satisfied with this, we also felt A re Tshwaraneng could spread its wings and grow into a venture.
“And since this is not about taking more money from members, most have welcomed the idea with open arms and think it is a move in the right direction,” he said.
Like most clubs, members of A re Tshwaraneng meet once month. They contribute R170 a month plus R20 for catering.
The society has had its ups and downs and only 19 members are left.
But this was a good result as they stopped the organisation’s collapse and grew it stronger than it has ever been.
Today they are in the last stages before they open their own funeral parlour.
Fanie said: “Every year or so we would increase our contributions like all other clubs, but this took us back in terms of membership as some could not continue with us any more.
“But at that time we also started discussing ways to run a funeral parlour which will soon open its doors for everyone.”
