SOMETIMES you don’t find what you were looking for the first time around so you move on and try something new. The same applies to stokvels and savings clubs.
This idea motivated the women of Hashtag Success, a stokvel they formed in December. The main goal of the stokvel was success, so it became its name.
Member Mpheletso Motlhatlhedi said that they started the group after realising what the goal of every group needed to be.
“We all started in different stokvels and groups but all of us felt the groups we were in were only meeting members halfway.
“We didn’t join those groups to make politics. This is when we came together and talked about our goals. We all learnt that it wasn’t complicated – we all wanted a successful stokvel – and so we formed Hashtag.
When SunStokvel arrived at their venue in Phahameng, a kasi in Mangaung, the Free State, the women wore jeans and white tops. The attire of every meeting is decided by the host beforehand.
Another member, Nonceba Gulekana, said that when the aim of a group is clear it doesn’t clutter up the members’ social plans and sharing of good advice.
“We save cash throughout the whole year so we have a pile of money to share in December at a big party. I love the idea.
“We do have fines for rule breakers. They range from R20 to R50 for members who are late for meetings, absent without notice or who do not wear the uniform specified for the day.
“We don’t allow anyone to speak as they wish during meetings and we never tolerate ringing cellphones.
“We also donate spare cash for birthdays and funerals. But apart from that: success, here we come!”