Stokvels the real empowerment deal

I HAVE the greatest admiration for well-organised stokvels, “Little savers are now big business” (December 11).

As an advocate for economic self-organisation, I believe stokvels count among the most successful and enduring black economic self-help schemes.

Not only do they promote economic networking and selfempowerment, they bring about real wealth creation and strengthen collective buying power.

According to your article, stokvels hold up to R49-billion in savings. Some are now buying property and farms and invest in the stock market. Such long-term wealth creation is the answer to short-term material gain and consumerism. This is real black economic empowerment.

Control and management of one’s own capital, and not dependency on government hand-outs, is what we all should strive for. —