FUNERAL COVER DEMAND RISES FOR PLAYERS, FANS

MBABANE – A cause for concern! While some families and individuals experience seamless burials, it appears a fraction of sports stars and fans’ families in the country sometimes face hardship when death strikes. It has become a common trend in the sports fraternity, especially football, for those who passed away yet they had no decent jobs that donations would be asked once a dark cloud descends. It is worth noting that landing a helping hand in such tough times is culturally considered an act of goodwill, termed likhandlela (candle).

Some of the families of the deceased at times desperately need such support because the deceased passed away without any funeral policy. This occurs despite a number of insurance companies in the country offering affordable policies, with some starting at E15 monthly subscriptions. Beyond these funeral covers, there are no established funeral schemes perhaps to also assist during times of bereavement. Players also face serious trouble during times of serious injury, where soliciting donations has become the norm. In 2020, the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) adopted the Madvudvu Funeral Cover, which aimed to provide affordable funeral cover for players and fans at E20 per month.

This initiative was introduced by KhosiKen Sports Management, founded by former PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kenneth Makhanya. Football, however, was identified as the most urgent area to address. For an annual premium of E240, players were covered for claims of up to E10 000. The policy also included a six-month waiting period for natural deaths, while accidental deaths were covered immediately after the first premium payment. Unfortunately, this initiative failed to gain traction, and as of now, the PLE has no active funeral cover for its players or fans. Old Mutual Senior Development Officer, Elvis Dlamini, said most of the teams signed up but never followed through, leading to its cancellation.

However, Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman Polycarp Dlamini said they are making maximum effort to revive insurance covers.
“In fact, there are those who have come already and made presentations to provide these insurance covers. It’s unfinished business we believe we’ll conclude in the next meeting (Board of Governors special meetings),” Dlamini said. Notably, Mbabane Swallows National Supporters Committee (NSC) has an active funeral cover policy in partnership with Old Mutual. The annual premium is E300 per member, pro-rated at E25 per month for the E10 000 cover.

Furthermore, there have been incidents that have exposed the urgent need for comprehensive insurance policies. For instance, Mbabane Swallows’ player, Given Lukhele was involved in a tragic road accident last year, but was without any insurance policy to assist during such an unfortunate incident. Similarly, then Ezulwini United defender, Melusi ‘Mega’ Magagula, temporarily lost his sight and required medical care. Another poignant example is the case of the late Sidwashini United player, Bonginkosi ‘Gudas’ Dlamini, who was laid to rest this morning. His burial expenses were partially covered by public contributions, raising approximately E10 000 as of Thursday night.

Sustaining

Additionally, Green Mamba Captain, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, incurred over E400 000 in medical bills after sustaining a head injury while he was still with Swallows, which were personally covered by the late PLE boss, Victor Gamedze. Back in 2009, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) pledged to cover the funeral costs for deceased Leopard’s and Sihlangu player, Mduduzi ‘Mathousand’ Dlamini. The then President, Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa, undertook to cover all costs related to the treatment and full recovery of injured players, as well as funeral expenses and all logistics for the player. This followed a tragedy involving 11 Sihlangu players and a driver from the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs at Malangwane hill while they were attending a training session at the Somhlolo National Stadium.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Frederick Mngomezulu, said all the players at that time were insured by the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC). Elsewhere in other African countries, insurance companies have made efforts for footballers to have decent burials. For instance, DOVES Morgan Funeral Services unveiled a funeral scheme for the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe in 2010, aimed at helping members and their immediate families during bereavement. Doves stated they were moved by reports that some active and former footballers struggled to get decent burials because they could not afford funeral policies.

Arranged

Meanwhile, Soccer Insurance South Africa, arranged and administered by Delphisure Group Insurance Brokers (Cape Town) PTY/LTD, has a policy for the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Premier Soccer League (PSL). The 2021/22 season policy schedule outlined coverage for individuals associated with SAFA and the PSL, divided into three categories. For instance, Category A provides for registered and contracted PSL professional players, officials, technical and medical staff and ExCo members, PSL head office staff, club directors and officials and 10 additional named staff members from each club.

It covers many aspects such as death by accident, permanent total disablement, bereavement and critical illness benefit, among others. Claims start from a minimum of E35 000. Elsewhere in North Africa, Kenyan Premier League 12-time winner, AFC Leopards, and APA Insurance signed a landmark insurance deal back in 2013. The agreement sees its supporters, players and members of the technical team get insurance covers at affordable premiums.

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