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.

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.

“As the costs of funerals escalate and the prevalence of cash transactions declines, South Africans are adapting to new methods of providing support,” he explained.

“Traditionally, donations were collected through cash contributions at homes or during church gatherings. However, digital platforms like AltarPOS are revolutionising this process.”

Ngwenya said that with the simple act of scanning a QR code or tapping a device, individuals can now contribute in a manner that is both safe and secure, alleviating the complications typically associated with handling cash or disclosing sensitive banking information.

“This new method is not only efficient but also accessible for all ages. For those living away from their hometowns or even abroad, these digital tools bridge the distance, enabling contributions towards funeral expenses regardless of one’s geographical location.”

He said the shift away from cash transactions has helped to resolve some longstanding challenges, and his app has removed the difficulty for some to maintain accurate records of contributions and payments.

“Digital fundraising platforms allow every donation to be tracked, creating a transparent and managed account where fund totals can be communicated to contributors,” Ngwenya elaborated. “This transparency builds trust among donors and organisers alike,” he said.

AltarPOS user Ntombi Masehla, also a representative of AVBOB, a company specialising in funeral insurance, said that as someone who walks with families through the most difficult times of their lives, she understands how overwhelming funeral arrangements can be.

Masehla said the last thing grieving families wanted was to worry about managing cash donations or keeping track of contributions.

“That’s why we started using AltarPOS at AVBOB. The system has changed the way our community gives and supports one another. With AltarPOS, families receive contributions digitally and securely, directly through QR codes.

"This means no more stress about carrying cash, no more confusion about who gave what, and full transparency for the family. In our experience, people find it easier to give when it’s as simple as scanning a code—even relatives from far away can contribute instantly.

"We’ve seen how this eases the financial burden on families and allows them to focus on healing and honouring their loved ones.”

Masehla said: “In grief, small things matter.”

DAILY NEWS