The SPAR Group is proud to partner with Stokvel Talk this August to celebrate Women’s Month. As part of this national collaboration, SPAR supported Stokvel Talk Roadshows in Kathlehong and surrounding communities, giving women the opportunity to attend free and lively sessions designed to empower them financially.
The roadshows provided practical financial insights, clever savings tips, and a platform for women to connect with like-minded individuals who share the same drive to grow their hard-earned money.
“As a community-based retailer with stores run by local owners, we understand that for millions of South African women, stokvels have always been about more than just money. Stokvels are about strength, trust and friendship. That is why SPAR stands proudly alongside women as they continue to use stokvels to achieve financial independence and build brighter futures for their families,” says Mpudi Maubane, The SPAR Group National PR, Communications and Sponsorships Manager.
The events emphasise that collective savings schemes are not only strong social networks but also essential financial tools, especially for those living outside urban areas.
The national significance of stokvels and the importance of understanding how they operate and their benefits for members are emphasised by some compelling statistics. South Africa has about 11.5 million stokvel members, with 57% being women. Together, stokvels channel an estimated R50 billion annually into savings and investments for their members. Many of these clubs focus on family welfare, such as burial societies, while an increasing number of multipurpose stokvels are opening doors to broader financial opportunities.
“It is appropriate that we also use these kinds of events to shine a light on an issue that affects thousands of young girls every day, namely period poverty,” says Maubane. “For many families, sanitary pads are a luxury. This means that around 30% of South Africa’s girl learners are forced to miss school every month. Over a year, that adds up to about 50 days of lost learning, impacting girls’ confidence, school academic results and future dreams.”
Through its End Period Poverty campaign, SPAR collaborates with community and sporting partners to tackle this issue and is dedicated to eradicating period poverty by 2030.
“To reach this goal, it is important that at events like Stokvel Talks, we bring stokvel members, small business owners, and families together to play their part in ensuring that girls are not held back. By turning small acts of giving into a national movement, SPAR believes we can make sure no girl is left behind because of her period,” says Maubane.
About The SPAR Group:
The SPAR Group Ltd (SPAR or the group) is a warehousing and distribution business listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in the Food and Drug Retailers sector. The group owns the SPAR retail brand, but, essentially, supports a network of independent retailers who trade under our brand through our distribution centres. SPAR forms part of SPAR International, which is present in 44 countries and has 240 distribution centres that serve 13 million customers every day. The SPAR Group Ltd, headquartered in Durban, South Africa, is present in nine countries, has 10 distribution centres and serves 3 768 retail members through 14 store formats every day.
For more, please visit www.spar.co.za or https://thespargroup.com
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