Share

SONKE RALLIES AROUND AFTER CRISIS

accreditation
Members of Sihamba Sonke Ma-Africa Burial Society.Photo by Malereko Tae
Members of Sihamba Sonke Ma-Africa Burial Society.Photo by Malereko Tae

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.

Get the best in Soccer, News and Lifestyle content with SNL24 PLUS
For 14 free days, you can have access to the best from Soccer Laduma, KickOff, Daily Sun, TrueLove and Drum. Thereafter you will be billed R29 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed.
Subscribe to SNL24 PLUS
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
What do you value most personally?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Earning tons of money
27% - 4 votes
Career Progression
7% - 1 votes
Work-Life balance
67% - 10 votes
Vote
Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make dailysun.co.za even better!

Learn more
Do you have a story for the People’s Paper?

Click below to contact our news desk and share your story with SunLand!

Let's do it!