* REPORT : 12

A progress report on Savings Schemes in Swaziland

1. Savings Schemes Visited

14 December 2000
I collected the draft constitution from Peoples Dialogue for the Swaziland Savings Schemes and left for Swaziland on the 15th of December 2000. We had to complete the constitution on our own since this was a burning issue and the main concern of the savings groups that their money was still kept by the treasurers in their houses.

18 – 19 December 2000
I conducted a "Project Design and Management Training" which was a continuation of the training held on the 6th – 10th November 2000. Though this was not part of the Federation, but it prepares the community on "Income Generation Programmes". A umbrella body was established consisting of 18 affiliates projects from all the rural community projects, where I also found an opportunity to introduce the Federation.

20 December 2000
I visited the "Sukumani Bulumbu Savings Scheme" and handed over the constitution. Sukumani is situated in Hhohho Region North of Swaziland and is a very new group formed on the 5th December 2000 with the initiatives of Charles Shabangu and Jabu Dlamini from Siya Embili – Manzini.

Total Members 33
Members present 21
Nzukuzonke collected E 30-60
Total amount saved E130-.80

21 December 2000
On the same day in the afternoon till the next day we visited "Sangena Ehhaya Savings Scheme" which is situated in Hhohlo Region North east Swaziland and handed over the constitution to enable them to open the banking account. Sangena was formed on 22 November 2000 with the initiatives of Charles Shabangu and Jabu Dlamini form Siya Embili Manzini.

Total Members 13
Active Members 12
Members present 20
Nzukuzonke collected E58-00
Total amount 13 E408-05

22 December 2000
We held a one-day network with "Siya Embili Savings Scheme" at Manzini Region. The copy of the constitution has handed over to the members. Siya Embili was formed in September 2000 after the exchange held in Ngcina Village.

Total Members 50
Active Members 41
Members present 25
Nzukuzonke collected E 543-10 (They save fortnightly)
Total amount saved E 817-5

26 December 2000
The delegation consisting of the MP Mr. Gamedze, Mr. Jerome Shongwe, Mr. Ndada Mamba, Mrs. Phiwokwakhe Shabangu, two members from Siya Embili Savings Scheme and I had set an appointment to meet with the Minister of Housing and Urban Development Mrs. Stella Lukhele. We managed to introduce the Federation, its aims, objectives and reported the total number of savings schemes already established in Swaziland.

Her main concern was " I wish the Swazi Nation could be taught on how to save as this is the key to alleviate poverty". After a lengthy discussion she concluded by saying her office is open though this issue should be dealt with at the "Tinkhudla Centres", which are community development centres. She urged us to mobilize the Federation to all the (11) eleven Tinkhundla centres in the entire Swaziland. We promised to bring our seniors with us into the second meeting with more information.

27 December 2000
We drove back to my home village, where we held a meeting with the members of "Phamphama Savings Scheme". Phamphama is situated in the East south of Sitcki, which falls under Lubombo Region. The copy of the constitution was handed over to members. Phamphama was also formed in August 2000 at the first network initiated by Ester Miya and myself.

Total Members 21
Active Members 18
Members present 9
Nzukuzonke collected E 40-55
Total amount saved E 633-80

28 December 2000
We drove to Nkamanzi where members of "Cabangela Likusasa Savings Scheme" in Nkamansi were patiently waiting for us. Cabangela Likusasa falls under Hhohho Region and was formed on 6th December 2000 with the initiatives of Charled Shabangu and Jabu Dlamini from Embili Manzini. The copy of the constitution was handed over to the members.

Total Members 25
Nsukuzonke Collected E 52-20
Total amounted E 130-20

30 December 2000
We visited Siyembili and Sharp shoot savings schemes and handed over the constitution. Siyembile and sharp shoot are the first groups, which were established in Ngcina Village at Siteki, which is part of the Lumombo Region. This group was formed in August 2000 during the first network initiated by Ester Miya and myself. Due to unforeseen problems encountered by both the groups Siyembili and Sharp shoot they decided to combine their savings and use one name "Siyembili".

Total Members 15
Nzukuzonke E60-00
Total amount saving E842-80
Total amount banked E740.00 (Swazi Bank)

31 December 2000
Vulindlela Savings Schemes was the last group visited. Vulindleda is also situated in Ngcina Village at Siteki, which is part of Lubombo Region. They were given the constitution in order to open the banking account. Vulindlela was also formed in August 2000 during the first network initiated by Esther Miya and myself.

Total Members 20
Members present 16
Nzukuzonke collected E120-40
Total amount saved E793-60

2. Banking institutions
The international banking institutions in Swaziland such as (Standard, FNB and Nedbank) charges E500, which is too expensive for the groups to open savings account with.
Only one group, Khethukwazi from Siteki, opted to open their savings account with Standard Bank since there are problems with Swazi Bank currently.
The Swazi Bank charges only E100-00 to open a savings account and most of the groups were comfortable to contribute towards raising E100-00 for the bank charges regardless of the current problems about the Swazi Bank.

3. Saving Books
I personally have found it difficult to purchase savings books form Funduzufe and take it to Savings Schemes in Swaziland at my own expense and I had not choice but to do it for the past four months. The Manzini group has identified a printing company, which is more than willing to reprint the books for Swaziland Savings schemes, but would only do so if I granted the authority by the Federation. Kindly consider this issue and inform me as soon as possible.

4. Network and Exchange
Ester Miya and I firstly introduced the Federation in Swaziland from Orange Farm in August 2000. The first chief Mpini Dlamini in Ngcini my home village warmly accepted the Federation.
Mama Iris from Peoples Dialogue, Phiwo from Funduzufe held an exchange in September 2000, Ester Miya from Orange Farm, Rachel and other two ladies from the Free State were part of the delegation. Since September 2000 we have taken the federation to (3) three regions in Swaziland. Ester Miya and I have travelled around to establish (9) savings schemes. My concern now is to organize more networks and exchanges in order to cover the (4) regions in Swaziland.

5. The Minister of Housing
As mentioned earlier in the report about the visit to the Minister of Housing, I would highly request the Federation authorities to speed up setting up a regional office for the organization and also consider registering with the government under the section" Savings and Credit Corporate. In order for the Minister to support the Federation, it would cost us to move fast in setting up the office and elect the office bearers to run the office. Members should know where to find and information.

6. Official Launch
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development requested us to set a date to launch the Federation and set up an office that would attend to all the organisation matters.
May I conclude by bringing this matter to your urgent attention that I am working under pressure by the nation and wish the South African Federation could consider this matter as a matter of priority.

submitted by: PATRICIA MSIMANGO-MAKORA