KNYSNA NEWS - A local women's society is using the latest technology to hold meetings and pay the monthly contribution to their *stokvel during lockdown.
The Masimanyane Women's Stokvel, which celebrated its 20 years of existence last year, has changed with time – from holding meetings in their homes, standing in long queues at the bank and too much paperwork to nowadays employing social media.
Founder Thembeka Zweni said they started the group on 27 January 1999 with the hope of developing people who do not earn a lot of money. "We wanted with the little money we earn to do lots of things. We fulfil people's dreams, all those who had no hopes of building houses or owning cars," she said.
But with the current lockdown, Zweni said the society members are struggling to hold meetings and make payments fearing infection by the coronavirus.
"We have a WhatsApp group which we used to keep people updated between meetings. We have since used that platform to hold our meeting and discuss important issues," she said.
Members can now make electronic payments and update everybody on the WhatsApp group.
"We are a stokvel that does charity work for the most disadvantaged members of our community. We had programmes lined up that we wanted to do this month as part of our charity events but we could not.
We have postponed them until further notice," said Zweni.
She noted that their latest event was organised with their sister stokvel Yakhanani, by virtue of which they took orphans from the Dorothy Broster Child and Youth Care Centre to Loerie Park where they donated toys and played with them.
Masimanyane Women's Stokvel members before the lockdown. From left: Thembeka Zweni, Zoleka Bhoco, Khanyiswa Sewula, Nosamkelo Dlamkile, Likhakha Mfene, Nombulelo Mondile, Noluntu Mambathane and Alicia Sigcu.
* A stokvel is an informal savings pool or syndicate, in which funds are contributed in rotation, allowing participants lump sums for family needs.
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