Building on a great stokvel idea

group of Cape Town women from Philippi, Crossroads, Khayelitsha and Strand have started a with a difference. They call themselves the Masakhe Ladies and they pool their money to build houses.

Started in January, the currently has 12 members, each contributing R2 450 a month. They then buy materials, rotating through the members one at a time.

Members decide among themselves whose turn it is for the monthly lump sum payment. The founding members met through a food “We can’t keep on having a

for food when we know that the most important thing is a roof over our heads,” says Ntombekhaya Plati.

“We get a quotation and go to the hardware store to buy material or save the money to buy a house or a plot,” she says.

“I am tired of staying in a shack that leaks when it rains. I want to sleep peacefully when it’s raining,” says Dorah Mkenku.

“I have been doing for food for more than 15 years and I have nothing to show, but this will have good results because in no time my house will be done.”

She received her material on Saturday and plans to build a four-roomed house.

The members of the group have chosen a uniform of overalls and work boots to wear to their monthly meeting.

“We didn’t want to wear high heels,” says Lizzy Sicwebu –