Editor’s note

The word ‘stokvel’ is understood to originate from the term ‘stock fair’, as the rotating cattle auctions of English settlers in the Eastern Cape during the early 19th century were known. But contrary to popular belief, the group-saving method is not limited to Mzansi, but found across Africa.

Stokvels have evolved since the 19th century. According to the National Stokvel Association of South Africa (NSASA), the stokvel market, which is largely informal, is worth US$3 billion.

This edition rightfully zooms in on the topic of stokvels, as we are right in the thick of the holiday stokvel season, where members that have painstakingly been saving throughout the year finally get their pay-outs. In this issue, we speak with stokvel giant Busi Skenjana, who is the CEO of BSK Marketing and the founder of the Stokvel Academy. Our cover lady has a relentless passion for stokvels and, in our feature, she speaks about the importance of education in the stokvel industry as well as how the group-saving method is undervalued by government.

Our stokvel conversation continues as we speak to the founder of United Africa Stokvel, Darren Langbein. He speaks to Spot-On about digitising stokvels, which minimises the physical exchange of hard cash that puts a lot of stokvel members in danger.

Marking Mams

As much as we’re highlighting the stokvel market and its impact in this issue, we also have the spotlight on one of Tshwane’s townships, Mamelodi.

Google’s predictive search suggestions might offer ‘Sundowns’ as you type ‘Mamelodi’, but there is much more to this township than the defending Premier Soccer League champions. We speak to renowned, multitalented poet MoAfrika wa Mokgathi, who is a globally recognised artist born and bred in Mams. “Mamelodi is a boiling pot of energy, culture – it’s so multicultural. That’s what makes it unique. We’re known as the party people,” MoAfrika fittingly describes the township of her birth. As a publication guided by the three pillars of Informing, Empowering and Educating the community, we speak to a young lady, Nkeletseng Tsetsane, who is the brand director of Cuffed Urban Street Wear. The Mamelodi clothing brand gives skilled former ex-convicts an opportunity to make Cuffed clothing from scratch.

Other great reads in this edition include the story of Tidimalo MoeletsiMashigo, founder of Tidi’s Kitchen in Mamelodi, and our profile of Kasi Business Hub, a group of young guys who promote local businesses through an app and social media. It is a packed issue that should keep you entertained through the December holidays.

As this is our last edition for 2022, we’d like to thank all of our readers for the year we’ve had. It’s been a tumultuous one for us as a country when you look at Eskom’s troubles – and the instability of multiparty coalitions in the various municipalities hasn’t inspired a sense of calm in communities.

We hope you have a great and safe festive period with your loved ones. And remember to support local business these holidays!