I
Insight Horizon Media

What are the 8 different types of stokvels?

Author

John Castro

Published Mar 17, 2026

What are the 8 different types of stokvels?

Types of Stokvels

  • Types of Stokvels.
  • Rotational Stokvels Clubs. These are the most basic form of Stokvel, where members contribute a fixed amount of money to a common pool weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
  • Grocery Stokvels.
  • Savings Clubs.
  • Burial Societies.
  • Investment Clubs.
  • Social Clubs.
  • Borrowing Stokvels.

What are basic stokvels?

Stokvels are invitation-only clubs of twelve or more people serving as rotating credit unions or saving schemes in South Africa where members contribute fixed sums of money to a central fund on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

How does WhatsApp stokvel work?

How do these work? People are recruited to join a WhatsApp stokvel group (using a WhatsApp chat group) by paying a joining fee. So, in order to be added to the group, you have to pay up. The average joining fee is R200, with the promise of around R1 000 return if you recruit two people into the group.

What are the disadvantages of stokvel?

Disadvantages. Stokvels relating to Burial Society’s may not provide enough cash for a burial and the family must pay for the funeral of a loved one out of their own pocket. Fighting between members of the Stokvel may lead to problems.

Is stokvel legal?

This means that no legal action can be pursued against the stokvel itself, but only against a member or members thereof. Stokvels are estimated to generate billions annually. There are bound to be disputes among group members and misappropriation of funds or corruption involved in stokvels.

What is an example of stokvel?

The members of the stokvel share a common goal for saving such as December groceries or a wedding or investing in property or the stock market. For example, a group of young professionals may get together and save in a stokvel so they can buy properties to rent out.

Are stokvels legal?

Scammers often pose as legitimate stokvels, investment schemes, or property stokvels but in reality, are nothing more than get-rich-quick schemes in the form of a Ponzi or pyramid scheme. “It is important to Nasasa to ensure that members of stokvels are protected from scammers.

How does stokvel make money?

A stokvel is a savings pool where a group of individuals contribute an agreed-upon monthly amount. The group can make monthly pay-outs, or they could keep investing their savings and get a sump sum at the end of the year. The funds in the stokvel offer each member in the group an equal and fair benefit.

Is stokvel a good investment?

“Your home loan application in a stokvel situation is only as good as your worst investor.” A large percentage of South Africans are excluded from the formal economy, and property stokvels provide a vehicle for low to middle-income families to invest and build wealth through harnessing the power of the collective.

Are stokvels regulated in South Africa?

The government has made efforts to regulate and oversee stokvels. The Banks Act of 1990 requires every such group to register with Nasasa or a similar industry body approved by the Registrar of Banks.

Is stokvel a pyramid scheme?

Up Money, which promoted itself as a grocery stokvel, was found to be a pyramid scheme and fined R1 million by the National Consumer Tribunal (NCT) on Monday. Members had to pay a one-off fee of R180 and recruit five new participants to be part of the scheme and receive a meat or grocery pack.

What are the requirements of stokvel?

You’ll need to have the following handy:

  • A minimum of R100.
  • A valid South African identity document or card, or permanent resident permit for each member.
  • A copy of your stokvel’s constitution.
  • Proof of your stokvel’s address.
  • Proof of address for each member of the stokvel (eg a phone bill).