WHEN tragedy strikes, that’s when you will know the meaning of community.
Residents of Senaoane, Soweto, faced a big problem back in 1988 when five people from the same family died in a car accident.
Stephen Makhubu, treasurer and founding member of Sihamba Sonke Ma-Africa Burial Society, said it was not easy. The grieving family didn’t have money to bury all five people at the same time.
“We had to go house-to-house asking for donations. It wasn’t fun at all. I never wanted this to happen again.”
Sihamba Sonke Ma-Africa was then formed to ensure people never struggled with funeral money again – and three decades later it is still going strong and boasts 62 members.
Their joining fee is currently R1 000, and there is a six-month waiting period.
They hold meetings three times a year and pay only R100 each if a member of a dependent dies.
If a main member dies, the grieving family receives R7 500 for funeral costs. Dependents older than 10 years get R5 500 and under 10-year-olds R4 000.
Member Ida Nkosi, said: “ When my mum, who was a member since 1988, died I took her place and became a Sihamba Sonke Ma-Africa member.