Tembisa burial societies empowered
"Among the challenges that were identified as hindering the growth of social clubs and burial societies on investment matters, was the mismanagement of financial resources."
Women from various social clubs in Tembisa gathered on September 27 at the Rabasotho Hall for the launch and graduation ceremony of Friendly Societies.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s spokesperson, Mr Themba Gadebe, said the EMM, the Department of Small Business Development and the South African Federation of Burial Society (SAFOBS) reflected on the status of burial societies in the northern parts of Ekurhuleni.
“Among the challenges that were identified as hindering the growth of social clubs and burial societies on investment matters, was the mismanagement of financial resources, maladministration and lack of knowledge of investment opportunities. In tackling these problems, Deputy Minister for Small Business Development, Elizabeth Thabethe, encouraged the members of burial societies to start thinking differently and see themselves as growing into becoming co-operatives,” he said.
“Look at the burial value chain, there are entrepreneurial opportunities to explore. Identify a niche market that you as burial societies can leverage from as entrepreneurs and future co-operatives. Do not only view yourselves as burial societies,” said Dep Minister Thabethe.
She expressed her gratitude to the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) for elevating skills development by training the 148 graduates who completed a week-long basic computer course through INSETA.
Ms Kenosi Boya, the chairperson of the Women of Power Social Club who was among the graduates, said the skill she acquired through the training programme will benefit the club as administration can now be done using computers.
“I am 40 years old already and we, as elders in the club, will also be tech-savvy,” she said.
Ms Florence Joale, who was also one of the graduates, said the computer course will assist her burial society a great deal as bookkeeping was previously done manually and this resulted in the loss vital information.
“We are here to assist and bridge the gap in burial and social clubs through training and capacity building programmes that will improve the quality of services rendered by the Friendly Societies in Ekurhuleni,” said the National Secretary for SAFOBS, Thulani Mabuza.
Mr Gadebe said the EMM, in partnership with the various stakeholders that were present at the launch, will visit other parts of Ekurhuleni in an effort to assist burial societies to prosper.
