THE past does not change. What has happened has happened and nothing can change that no matter how passionately we desire a better history.
The best way to deal with the past is to live in the present and face the future.
This message drives the women of Reapele Burial Society. They were previously members of a burial society called Kago.
Secretary Diteko Kono said: “It was a big society in Kagiso. It was known. We thought we were safe but in 2009, we realised too late that all the money we had saved was gone – it had been taken by the management.
“Kago collapsed as all 60 members left.
“But 13 of us never lost hope. We saw the potential for a new group and in 2015, we started Reapele.
“We needed to bury our dead with dignity but we were still a little sore at having our trust broken like that. But we had to move forward so we agreed to keep our society small. A society with too many members becomes uncontrollable at the top even if it looks stable from the bottom.
“We each deposit R200 in the society bank account every month. We also double check the deposit slips and the last month’s account statements. All the paperwork is open for all the members. There are no secrets.”
At the meeting, the host prepares a free meal for all 13 of them – mostly chicken and boerewors with rice or pap and two salads.
“The grieving family of a dead member – or one of the 10 people each member is allowed to register – is paid R10 000 to help cover funeral costs.”
