MEET the people who are proud to be members of Baswa Ba Limpopo Burial Society, which is not even a month old yet!
This month the 20 members started the society in Baswa, Phomolong, in Mamelodi East, and they say it’s growing like wildfire as there are more people who want to join them.
As a society Baswa do not only bury their dead but also spend much time socialising with and advising each other.
The members said the society is different from others because they treat each other as equals.
Julia Aphane (36) said: “Living without a burial society these days is very stressful.
“Before I joined, life was very uncertain but now I am certain my life will be covered.”
Another member, Thabitha Masha (45), said that joining the society was like a homecoming.
“In the past, I didn’t know any peace – I was always worrying about the future. But people were always encouraging me to join a society as life is too short.
“Today I’m standing here as a happy person because I know that the society will take care of me and give me and my loved ones a dignified burial if we should die.”
The members contribute R100 every month. New members have to pay a R1 200 joining fee and wait for three months before they can claim all the benefits of a full member.
Baswa fines members who do not wear their uniform to a meeting R20 each.
If a member dies her family gets a R3 500 payout for a child or R2 500 for all others including a list of relatives.
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