17/10/2024
Artists Establish Benevolent Fund
Story By Zimwriter
The end of life of a person is unavoidable. We hear of a death, we think of a loss. We feel grief. It is from this reality that a group of artists came together in July this year and established the Artists Benevolent Fund for members. A seven-member Management Committee was elected to run the Fund and these are Mercy Makumbe (Chairperson), Lucky Munyuki (Vice Chairperson), Patrick Mahlasera (Secretary), Florence McLaren (Vice Secretary), Fatima Makunganya (Treasurer), Tafadzwa Ranganai (Committee Member) and Takunda Nyakauru (Committee Member)
According to its constitution, the aim of the Fund is to promptly avail funds to the beneficiary(ies) in case of death of a member of the Fund. Premiums are paid monthly to Zimnat through the Treasurer.
“We have two premiums for subscribing members which is either one dollar or two dollars. The funeral cover is one thousand and two thousand USD respectively” Said Fatima Makunganya, The Treasurer of the fund.
Most Artists in Zimbabwe do not have regular paying jobs. Most of them cannot afford individual life cover.
“We noted over the years that Artists and their beneficiaries are financially strained in the event of death. After consultations with other artists, we came up with the Artists Benevolent Fund. Before the establishment of the Fund it was challenging for Artists to equitably mobilise and disburse funeral cash funds.” said Mercy Makumbe who is the Chairperson of the Fund.
“Membership to the Fund is open to any interested Artist who lives, works or studies in Zimbabwe and is between the ages of 18 and 75 years. Currently we have over 120 members and we would want to grow the membership nationally. Being part of a group life funeral cash plan is fairly inexpensive and any Artist can afford the premiums.” Said Mercy Makumbe.
Essentially the Artists Benevolent Fund is a group life insurance scheme for Artists which has a cash payout in US dollars in the event of death of a member. The Artists Benevolent Fund is underwritten by Zimnat Insurance.
Contact.
[email protected]
