Batho Barona Stokvel is a black owned funeral policy led by Victoria Kganyago. It deals with helping black women to take care of themselves and their families. Batho Barona stokvel, which means “OUR PEOPLE” has been running effectively for almost a month now. With the support she gets from family and friends, she managed to put Batho Barona stokvel into a 6 months’ trial and succeeded. Located at corner Schoeman and Paul kruger, Batho Barona stokvel is easily accessible and convenient for everyone.
Victoria says starting Batho Barona Srokvel was not smooth sailing. She had to quit her job at a hospital and give the stokvel her undivided attention. Victoria describes herself as a person who accepts challenges and critics. She had to deal with people criticising her idea and giving negative responses. That did not bring her down; instead it made her to believe more in her idea.
“I love critics and negatives because it shows that something positive is happening”-Victoria told Tsa Pitori. She had to put all her savings to the business. Victoria says she always had a dream of coming up with a solution to give people money back and groceries at the end of the year. Batho Barona stokvel started with three to four members. Now it has grown to 20 members and still counting.
Victoria told Tsa Pitori that, after the critics and the negative comments, Batho Barona Stokvel has been doing well and people have been responding to it well. More people want to sign up for these awesome covers. The stokvel is divided into four different covers. They have family covers that cover wife, husband and three children. It gives back R15 000 cash back for elders in case of death and they share groceries in December.
Individual cover, covers parents and three siblings. Gives back a lump sum of R10 000 and groceries at the end of December. There is another for churches and choirs. It is R50 monthly. It also offers groceries at the end of the year. In case of a funeral, Batho Barona stokvel gives the family of the deceased R5000. There is also a cover for pensioners which cost R200 per month. In case of death, Batho Barona Stokvel gives the family R10 000 cash back and groceries at the end of the year.
The stokvel is unlike any other funeral policies. It does not really have a specific age group for old people like other policies. It has a waiting period of 6 months before one can claim.
Victoria says Batho Barona stokvel is like her baby. She would like to see it growing into a very big and successful funeral policy. She says she wants Batho Barona stokvel to have cash back to give to parents during the beginning of the year. This money will assist them with school uniform, stationary and school fees. She is easily accessible on various social platforms. Facebook, she is Victoria Refilwe Kganyago, on Instagram she is @victoriakganyago.
BY: ZANELE MAGAGULA
