By Buziwe Nocuze
The Siyanqoba (we are winning) stokvel is an apt name for the group that is succeeding in its goal.
The 150 individuals from Mcwabantsasi in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape are not waiting for RDP houses that are never going to happen. Instead, they have started a stokvel to help each other build their own homes.
Zandile Mbana founded the group when she realised that most people who want to build their own homes cannot do so because of money issues.
“Some people can’t get loans to build houses because they are not working and depend on social grants,” said Zandile, who started the group in 2022 with 60 members.
“There is nothing more important than having your own place to stay. I opened the group because I wanted everyone to fulfil their dream of owning a house,” said Zandile.
The 150 members have formed themselves into groups of 10 and contribute what they can afford to pay every month.
Once there is enough money to start building a house for one of the group members, the money is paid directly to a hardware store for the building materials “so that people don’t use the money for other things,” said Zandile.
“We urge anyone who has the means to assist us in building up our hardware stock so that we don’t have to buy from other hardware stores. We will be able to create job opportunities for our people.”
Nomfuneko Nogqayiza, one of the stokvel members, has built a seven-roomed house using the money she got from Siyanqoba.
“I have been trying to build a home for my family for years, but I couldn’t do it alone because the building material is expensive,” said Nomfuneko.
Another Siyanqoba member, Nomlindo Nyamambi, was forced to take her three children out of private school so that she could save money for building a house.
“[But it] never helped because we used that money for other things. We didn’t save it for building materials as we thought we would. When I heard about Siyanqoba I knew the group would make my dream come true,” said Nomlindo.
“I advise other people to have these kinds of groups so that their children and family members can have a home, even after they have passed away.”
Pictured above: A group of people from Mcwabantsasi in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, started a stokvel group to help each other build their homes.
Image source: Supplied
