Vodacom launches funeral insurance product

Seabata Mahao

Vodacom Lesotho recently launched a new funeral insurance offering dubbed Mpate Sheleng Funeral Cover.

The product comes with features that allow users to choose between paying their insurance premiums weekly or monthly, at the convenience of their homes.

The premium of the policy is paid for using airtime.

The product, which has both individual and family cover options, has premiums as low as M3.75 per week for a M10,000 funeral cover.

The product is offered in partnership with Alliance Insurance as the underwriter.

“We are here for one thing only-to serve Basotho. The product is named Mpate Sheleng to precisely honour the spirit of Basotho that unity is power and this is why we joined forces with Alliance Insurance Company,” said Vodacom’s chief executive officer (CEO), Mohale Ralebitso, during the product launch last week.

“In that same spirit, we bring you one more wonderful feature, so that when times get tough, you have one less thing to worry about. The premium paying mechanism is digital because they do not want the nation to be left behind when other countries advance.”

“The convenience is that a person can just check their progress from their phones and does not have to go through many forms. You will be surprised to see the amount of flexibility this product has.”

Vodacom’s acting commercial managing executive, Tšepo Thabisi, explained Alliance Insurance’s role in the partnership.

“The partnership with Alliance Insurance Company was brought upon by the fact that VCL is not an insurance company and would need assistance with claims processing and insurance legalities.”

He said launching their insurance policy was part of the company’s strategy of easing the lives of Basotho by making them live in comfort and have access to services at a low cost.

Alliance Insurance’s Chief Operating Officer, ‘Malengolo Seotsanyana Sello, said they were honoured to be part of the partnership, which brings them closer to their purpose of serving Basotho at affordable costs.

“This is important now when people are losing their jobs, and the state of the economy seems to be in crisis. Therefore, it is important to see to it that people still have access to good services, and that can be achieved through establishing products with affordability. I believe Vodacom is leading the way in the aspect of portraying financial inclusion”, Sello said.

The funeral cover is available to only Lesotho ID holders aged 18 to 60 years. It is accessible by dialing *135# on mobile phones.