Embracing ubuntu: how digital fundraising is transforming funeral support in South Africa

AN INVENTOR has churned out a digital creation that adds value and removes some hassles of managing money and donations associated with occasions and events.

- SIPHO JACK

One of the benefits of Thulani Ngwenya's AltarPOS app is that it can help families during days of bereavement to better manage their affairs, such as receiving donations and paying for funeral and related expenses.

AltarPOS is also regarded as an ideal digital tool that empowers community leaders and religious organisations to manage the accounting side for fundraising and similar events.

With cash quickly losing its kingly status, due mainly to convenience and security reasons, electronic, digital, online, and contactless transactions have become the norm, all of which AltarPOS accommodates.

Ngwenya stated that his creation seeks to simplify the process of giving while honouring age-old traditions. He highlighted how digital platforms were beginning to reshape the narrative surrounding grief support.

Culturally, communities usually rally together, preparing meals, providing emotional support, and contributing financially to ease the burden of funeral expenses for grieving families.