05 Jul 2015

Death is certain and affects all mankind. 

Owing to this, everyone who is alive must be prepared for this reality. In modern days, preparation for this involves funeral cover at various insurance companies such as Botswana Life Insurance and Metropolitan.

Meanwhile, it is not everybody who can manage to have a funeral insurance cover. Some Batswana are still struggling financially and cannot afford to pay expensive monthly premiums charged by insurance companies.

To overcome this challenge, women in Lehututu have grouped themselves to form a burial society called He Tshubago Burial Society.

‘He Tshubago’ is a Sekgalagadi expression simply meaning we are lighting. 

Established in 2013, the society targets low income women who are in the age range of 18-65 with a valid national identity card. 

He Tshubago Burial Society was formed to answer this problem and ease the financial burden on family members when there is a funeral.

Just like any other burial society, it has a joining fee, waiting period of 12 months and monthly contributions.

 Out of the P20 that members contribute every month, a registered member is covered for P20 000 in addition to groceries amounting to P5 000 for the bereaved family. Not only limited to financial support, society members also help out during the funeral. 

It’s up to the members to see where they can lend a hand and some usually cook. 

The members are also required to wear their uniform at the funeral and presentation of groceries.

Having been in existence for only two years, the society has grown tremendously with branches in Lehututu, Lobatse, Maun, Kole and Gantsi. 

It boasts of over 300 members and plans are underway to open other branches all over Botswana as many women are willing to join.

“The secret of our growth is unity, respect and collective decision making.

 We treat each member as valuable and significant to the society,’’ Ms Tebagano Lekutlane, the chairperson of He Tshubago Burial Society said.

On the way forward, Ms Lekutlane said they were planning to build administration offices where they could operate and were awaiting response from the Office of the President and the Department of Gender Affairs for financial support. ENDS