MANY people in Mzansi are struggling to make ends meet in the face of creeping poverty.
But these gogos and mkhulus never turned their backs on their club.
On Sunday, the happy members of Home Brothers Burial Society were all smiles as they walked into Diepkloof Recreational Hall in Soweto to celebrate their 45th anniversary in style.
Society chairman, Patrick Ntladi, who travels from Mahikeng in North West to Soweto every month just to attend the society meeting, said though it has been tough for everyone to keep up with their society contributions, their members stayed with them.
Richard Masokoane (73) is one of the longest serving members of the society.
He joined in 1974, three years after it was formed. He said: “I joined the society after I got married so that I can pay for future burials in my family.”
He said back then they used to pay R2,50 towards their burial money every month and received R40 for a burial.
Now they pay R80 a month, or R160 the next meeting after they made a payout, so their fund stays full.
Richard said they have enough money in their account so that they can afford to bury 10 people at one time without stressing about money.
Members and their spouses now get a R16 000, which covers both the members and their spouses, while dependents get R9 000, and parents and in-laws R8 000.
The 40-member society is looking to recruit new members in the new year.
