Shaping tomorrow together Celebrating 2025 :
MUTUALITY
Shaping tomorrow together Celebrating 2025 :
The UN ’ s Year of the Cooperative
By Elvira Wood , PPS Positioning Manager
The concept of cooperation and mutual support has existed for centuries and its power to transform communities and industries is undeniable .
In South Africa , for example , one of the most popular cooperative models is the stokvel . A community-based savings and investment practice , stokvels are often led by women who gather resources into a shared pool . Each member contributes a set amount regularly and the collective funds are then used to benefit all members – whether by providing financial support for emergencies , funding business ventures or contributing to community projects . The strength of the stokvel lies in the principles of Ubuntu – “ I am because we are ” – highlighting the interconnectedness of individuals within a community .
Similarly , in South Africa ’ s agricultural heartland , farmers rely on cooperatives , often called “ the Co-op ”. These cooperatives were formed in the early 20 th century to address challenges such as accessing markets , securing supplies and negotiating better prices . Farmers could benefit from bulk discounts on vital supplies like fertilisers , seeds and equipment by pooling their resources and gaining greater bargaining power . Over time , these cooperatives have evolved into crucial institutions for agricultural communities , ensuring access to resources , supporting productivity and fostering economic stability . Today , these cooperatives continue to empower farmers and support sustainable agricultural businesses , making them integral to the sector ’ s resilience .
The power of cooperation , however , is not confined to informal sectors or specific industries . The principles of mutual aid and shared resources have found relevance across a wide range of fields , including the financial services sector . Mutual insurance companies , for example , embody the spirit of cooperation . Much like stokvels and agricultural cooperatives , mutual insurers pool resources to provide financial protection and share risk among their members . They are built on the premise that members are both policyholders and stakeholders , contributing to a common fund and benefiting from the group ’ s collective strength . This cooperative model ensures that the focus remains on member interests rather than shareholder profit , creating a more community-driven approach to insurance .
A GLOBAL LEGACY
Pooling resources for mutual benefit is a global practice . Cooperatives and mutuals drive resilience and economic growth worldwide . The Cebu CFI Community Cooperative in the Philippines provides financial services and supports local businesses . In Europe , FrieslandCampina showcases how farmers collaborate to build global food brands , while Spain ’ s Mondragón Corporation demonstrates the power of worker-owned enterprises . These models embody a shared commitment to community development and the relevance of mutual and coperative principles .
Globally , mutuals and cooperatives contribute trillions of dollars to the economy . For example , the International
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