13 Jan 2013

Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao has applauded his constituents  for forming a burial society.

Speaking during the Musanani Burial Society annual general meeting in Natale over the weekend, Mr Fidelis Molao encouraged the society management to ensure they continued with transparency, proper financial recording and improve their marketing strategies if they were to see their organisation growing.

On the other hand, the society chairperson, Mr Mukani Motshokwa implored the political leadership to encourage their communities to join burial societies.

Mr Motshokwa said by joining burial societies, they would have dignified burials and reduced the burden on government.

Through the society, he said, the community wanted to assist members in burying their dead. 

The chairperson also informed the meeting that the society had 279 active members of which 47 were registered last year.

The secretary of the society, Ms Mboni Mokgathi said they had members all over the country and had already assisted in the burials of 100 people since 2001.

She commended members, especially old age pensioners, whom she said used their monthly living allowance to pay their subscriptions.

“Some of them have even paid up to 2014 while those of us who are on full time employed default,” she said.

In his report, the treasurer, Mr Gaoitsiwe Bongwani said last year the society made over P171 000 through monthly subscriptions, loan interests and fund raising.

Mr Bongwani said the societal savings stood at over P400 000. 

A P250 joining fee was paid for one to be a member while the monthly subscription was P35 while additional memmbers paid P20 monthly.

He explained that the P35 monthly subscription catered for a member, spouses recognised by customary or common law and children aged up to 21 years.

Nevertheless, the treasurer said they were faced with challenges such as low turn up at meetings which he said made decision making difficult in cases where consultation was necessary.

The vice chairperson, Mr Saul Mafika said the society had two tents, chairs and a generator that were available for use by members for free at funerals.

Mr Mafika said the society had also embarked on community service projects and had already donated 90 blankets worth P15 000 to 90 needy children in Natale, Borolong and Chadibe.

He added that they had also set aside P30 000 for community service this year. ENDS