Stokvels in South Africa are big business and becoming bigger. A group saving scheme that was once used for a like-minded group of individuals who share the same goals to meet short-term needs, such as buying groceries or school supplies at the end of the year, is fast becoming a way for the new generation to build wealth and invest in property. According to research by, over 11 million South Africans are members of one or more stokvels, of which there are more than 820 000, holding savings in excess of R44 billion. Stokvel members need education and guidance on how this non-traditional approach can be used to leverage their collective strength for greater economic benefit – in other words, taking it beyond spending on consumables. In this conversation, we look at what a prospective buyer should look at before buying property through a stokvel and how to make the best first-time home buying decision possible.