For the past ten years a win-win partnership between a leading short-term insurer and a community in the heart of agricultural South Africa has brought a much-needed annual cash injection for the care of the elderly, while serving up a dollop of yearly family fun.
Mutual & Federal is proud to have sponsored Limpopo’s largest annual arts festival, the Mutual & Federal Agri Kierieklapper Kunstefees (KKKF), since its inception in 2000. The partnership has enabled the company to plough back into this largely agricultural community.
This year’s festival takes place in Mokopane in August. The three-day event raises funds for the local community centre to continue its indispensable work among the district’s elderly.
“Insurance and finance companies are often perceived as simply out to make money,” says Andries Wiese, group manager for Mutual & Federal Agri, which insures 36 % of all South African commercial farmers, making it the leading insurer in this sector by a large margin.
“The health and welfare of the community, however, are vital to us,” he says. “This is where our business lies and we need to contribute. The Mutual & Federal KKKF gives us a perfect opportunity to do this.”
This year the festival boasts more than 140 stalls, from which visitors can buy everything from art, sculptures and furniture to home produce and jewellery. The emphasis is on good quality, original work. There are also a number of productions taking place, ranging from theatre to music concerts, as well as competitions and a fun walk.
A funfair and games, including paintball, will ensure the young at heart are kept happy, while there is a wine bar and the Castle tent for adults. There will even be a world record knitting attempt.
The highlight of this year's festival will be a performance by Kurt Darren.
Money raised is donated to the Service Centre for the Aged, which provides food and caring for the elderly, irrespective of race, creed or colour.
“The Centre supplies approximately 16000 meals to the elderly annually as well as medical assistance,” says Wiese. “It desperately needs funding for this invaluable work and the festival helps to supplement its small government subsidy.”
The event gives Mutual & Federal an opportunity to give back to a predominantly agricultural community in a very practical, hands-on manner that makes the lives of community members easier.
“We form an integral part of the organising committee, and many of our staff get very involved in the Festival,” says Wiese.
Mutual & Federal also supports an agricultural school in Tzaneen, Limpopo, so the festival presents the opportunity to help those at the other end of the age scale.
The event takes its name from the Kierieklapper, a tree endemic to the area. It will be held at the grounds of the Hoërskool Piet Potgieter in Mokopane (formerly Potgietersrus) from Thursday, 5 August, to Saturday,7 August, and entrance to the festival ground is free.
There is a community church service on Sunday, 8 August, followed on Monday, 9 August, by the Mutual & Federal KierieKlapper Golf Day.
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