I saw an insert about the black tradition, Stokvel, on national televition recently.
It triggered fond memories of a pleasant place in my life soon after 1994 that I could nor woulld ever forget.

The euphoria of the New South Africa was still very potent and it was a new adventure to be able to mix with our fellow South Africans of colour.

Selina, a colleague and friend, taught me a lot about the township culture in our eager conversations.It was then that I noticed other black workers coming to her at the end of each month, giving her amounts of money which she locked away in the stationery cupboard in our office.

I asked her about this as she did so in a solemn manner, but in front of me as if she trusted me.

She was eager to tell me about yet another part of Township Culture that most white South Africans did not know.

They have this special saving scheme which they call the Stokvel. A group of peoplo who know and trust one another would form a stokvel club. This club would consist of about 12 people,mostly women, who are employed or earn money by other means.The group or club would then choose, vote for a resposible member who would be the leader of the club.

At the end of each month every member contributes a set amount of money payable to the leader of the Stokvel club.The amount is also decided by the members in a meeting. It can be as little as R20 or much more , depending on the income, economy of vthe members. This amount can also go up, always with the approval of all the members.One of the members would recieve the lump sum of money on a strict rotating basis as soon as all the contributions are paid to the head or leader who is also the treasurer, allround organiser of the Stokvel club.

This meant every member knew which month they would get the money and could plan ahead on what they would spend the ‘savings’. It could be something for their home, school fees or clothing for for a special event etc.

In the townships the ciubs would have a party with food,drink, music and dancing. Each member would contribute towards the celebration.

As far as I could tell the blacks, people of colour were all paid in cash, little brown,seale3d envelopes with their pay numbers written on it. It was done in this manner to safe them paying banking fees.So the club membersbwould come and pay there ‘subs’ in cash on payday.

Selina invited me and I soon became a member of the Stokvel at work.It was exciting. We were a happy crowd with a sense of unity, mutual respect. More often than not the person who got the money , would come and show the item bought with it. Normally we would get ‘slap’ chips and Russian sausage to celebrate during lunch break on payday.

I thus became part of a group who shared highs and woes. It was fun, friendly, filled with love and laughter!