Minutes of the 2nd Annual Family Gathering Meeting Held on the 1st October 2011 at KwaMbotho in Harding, KwaZulu Natal

Minutes of the 2nd Annual Family Gathering Meeting Held on the 1st October 2011 at KwaMbotho in Harding, KwaZulu Natal at 10h30.

1. Opening

The meeting was opened at 10h30 by the Master of Ceremonies Mr SH Xaso.

2. Opening Prayer

The MC handed over to Mr Mzamo for the opening prayer. He spoke about the importance of building especially as we were embarking on a building journey as a family. He spoke about the importance of coming together as one for the success of our nation.

3. Welcome

All the guests in the hall were welcomed and were told to relax and feel at home.

4. Apologies

Apologies were tendered for the Chief by Tat’ uMshikilana. He stated that the chief was tied up in a Contralesa meeting called by the Government and could not get away to come to the gathering.

5. Representatives

It was requested that the representatives for the Mbotho families in the hall each come up to introduce themselves so as to have a clear record of the people who attended the gathering.

5.1 Xaso family from East London

5.2 Xaso family from Cape Town

5.3 Mabhengwana family from Ngqamakhwe

5.4 Ngcingwana family from Mt Frere and Ntabankulu

5.5 Ngcingwana family from Qumbu

5.6 Stemela family from Qumbu

5.7 Nkuzu family from Mqanduli

5.8 Bango family from Ngqeleni eMayalweni

5.9 Mbotho family from Bizana

5.10 Bala and Baleni family from Gatyana

5.11 Qhubeka, Moshani family from Mqanduli

5.12 Hlathi family from KwaMachi

5.13 Vuke family from Zimbane

6. Family History

The family history was still being compiled and the representatives were requested to forward whatever information they might have so that it can be compiled into a document that can be communicated to everyone in the family before the next family gathering in Ngqeleni in 2012. Documents can be forwarded to xasozc@gmail.com

6.1 Electronic Media Activities

Ziyanda Xaso went through the activities that have been occurring so far on the internet. She stated that on facebook there were two group pages that were established for the family namely the Mbotho Youth Movement Group and the Mshikilana ninaboMazama Group.

She also reported that there was currently a Mbotho Youth Movement blog site being used to communicate all the family activities to the youth of the family. She reiterated the importance of making sure that the youth is involved and included in all the family activities as they are the future.

7. Family Trust

Mthobisi Mbotho went through the family trust document. He stated that there were currently 6 committees established under the trust namely the following:

7.1  National Executive Committee

7.2 Planning and Events Management Committee

7.3 Education, Research and Cultural Committee

7.4 Business, Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Committee

7.5 Youth Development Committee

7.6 Funeral Scheme Committee

He stated that the reason for setting up the trust is to ensure that as a family we are able to assist each other and ensure the unity of our family. He stated that there would be branches for each committee representing the different provinces and the provincial branches will be represented in the national committee to ensure communication between the provincial and national branches.

Everyone was encouraged to distribute and comment on the document so that it can be a document that is owned by the family and is done in consultation with everyone.

He also raised the issue of the T-shirts stating that these were the initiative of Ziyanda Xaso and that they were available for sale at a price of R170. He stated that the price is the actual cost of producing the T-shirts and that absolutely no profit has been gained from making them as the printing of the names in the front and back of the shirts was expensive. He stated that even people who were interested in having the t-shirts at a later stage needed to contact Ziyanda so that she could make arrangements for them to get the shirts.

8. Questions

A chance was given for questions of clarity regarding the document.

8.1 An alternative to e-mails was requested

The meeting was told that e-mail was the cheapest way to communicate because as the trust was not yet fully functional and established there were no funds in the trust therefore people were using their own resources to distribute the document and therefore e-mails were currently the cheaper alternative. People were encouraged where possible to print and distribute the document to other family members.

8.2 Membership cards and Car stickers

There was a request for membership cards and car stickers from the meeting. It was decided that those would be taken under advisement and considered for the future.

8.3 Membership Fee

The membership fee was discussed and the following suggestions were brought forward:

o A joining fee of R150

o A joining fee of R50

o It was suggested that the joining fee be separate for working and unemployed individuals. It was then decided that the joining fee should be uniform but affordable as distinguishing between the two classes would be an administrative nightmare.

The two fees were voted for and the joining fee of R50 had more votes and was therefore approved and passed at the meeting.

9. Decisions

It was agreed that the next family gathering to be held in Ngqeleni would be held on the 14th July 2012.

10. Vote of thanks

Mr Mboto thanked everyone at the meeting for attending and asked that they spread the word regarding the gathering on the 14th July 2012 at Ngqeleni. He stated that he was thankful to everyone for making the time to be at the gathering and said that we needed to unite to ensure the success of this project.

11. Closure

The gathering was closed with a prayer.