By Ntombikayise Promise and Emgard Msibi (on behalf of FEDUP)
This photo story (text and images) was compiled by members of a FEDUP savings scheme in Mpumalanga with the purpose of introducing how urban poor women organise themselves through savings activities.
It all starts with our ambitious citizens uniting to form one strategic society.
FEDUP members gather for a savings meeting in Kwa-Ndebele, Mpumalanga
When we stand together, we shall conquer. We create sustainable development through people-led development. Knowledge is power! We are one!
More impressions of KwaNdebele savings meeting
Securing our beautiful land for the poor. Umhlaba Wethu, Izwe Lethu. Our Land, Our Country. These women together with Walter Monyela [from CORC] gathered to ask the Chief of Kwa-Ndebele permission to buy the land of KwaMhlanga-Mountain View where they aim to build one hundred houses for the poor.
As long as we are in motion, we will get there. Our vision is SMART – Sustainable, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time bound.
Mama Madonsela speaks about being a FEDUP members in Leandra, Mpumalanga:
“It is a good experience to work with the Federation of the Urban and Rural Poor (FEDUP) because it has brought us dignity and happiness. We were able to get together as a unique group to gather information and then explore our talents. Hence we showcase our skills through the great work of art”
The vision of these FEDUP members is to develop their own initiatives by using their skills and drawing on the support of FEDUP. Not only do these members have skills for art but they also have their own garden where they plant mushrooms and strawberries. They are still in search of a market to sell these.
Saving for the near future
Initially the community of FEDUP did not see the value of saving, up until it was introduced to FEDUP. FEDUP in Bethal continued to grow from a small number of collectives. These women gather every Sunday afternoon to save money. Saving money makes them happy and wise enough to make good financial decisions with their lives.
The coordinators in our savings groups play different roles. In the picture below our loan facilitator is Sbongile, our treasurer is Neliswe, Thembi organises transportation, Mainah is our secretary and Nomvula Nkosi is our programme director.
Our savings groups in Bethal, Mpumalanga:
That is good keep it up. amandla. Peter Goodman from the E/Cape @ Kleinskool.