THE sad past of Mzansi led to many families being scattered all over the country.
This is why these distant relatives formed a club. They hope to bring the family closer together and stop them growing apart.
The concerned relatives formed Malebatse Modise Thage Family Social Club with fewer than 10 members last year but its membership has already grown to 30.
The SunStokvel team caught up with Malebatse Modise at a quarterly meeting in Mmakaunyane, north of Tshwane.
The first order of all their gatherings is that they always begin by saying a short prayer.
The club members then contribute R100 or more each. The money is deposited in the club’s account and verified by the agreed signatories.
Club chairman Jacob Thage (59) said: “It is important that we start with a prayer. We need God to lead the whole process.
The second item on the agenda is that we quickly read out the minutes of the previous meeting and remind everyone about the laws of the club’s constitution.
“Then we go straight to the business of the day which includes the contributions.”
As a social club, Malebatse Modise works to assist its members in any way possible.
If a member loses a loved one, the club pays out R3 000 as a condolence.
If a member hosts an event such as wedding, birthday party or unveils a tombstones, the club pays R2 000 for financial assistance.
“We do this because we want to be there for each other in good times and bad.”
Jacob said he hopes that by SunStokvel publishing the club’s story, relatives who have still not joined will seek them out and come on board as new members.
He said that the plan behind the push for new members is currently their biggest goal of the moment.
They want the club to reach a membership where the club can afford to pay out R10 000 to a grieving family if death should strike a club member or close relative.
