Happy Women's Months from Dups!

Happy Women’s Month to all you beautiful women in the kingdom. August is regarded a women’s month in South Africa in commemoration of the 20 000 women who marched to Union Buildings in August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. The month is now a representation of women’s strength of character. Sadly, this celebration comes against the backdrop of several acts of violence involving women –many women getting murdered by men who, even after the deed, still claim to love the slain women, women murdering men they claim to love, women abusing helpless children, and last but not least, women committing acts of violence on themselves by taking their own lives. This is all quite unfortunate as it is avoidable.

This week we would just like to celebrate all the strong women holding it together to keep their families’ heads above water against all odds. They might be holding top executive jobs, selling vegetables at the market, or just looking after their families at home. These are all positive contributions that keep families and the nation nurtured. Remind us again who called women “the weaker sex!” Indications all around us show us that many of them are actually solid as rocks. There are many grannies who should be resting and enjoying their twilight years, but are scrapping around to feed, clothe and educate hungry orphaned grandchildren. We salute you for your resilience. There are also many single mothers raising their offspring by themselves after getting widowed or after the children’s dads ran for the hills, mothers raising children with disabilities, we take our hats off to you.

As human beings, women need companionship. That’s what God and nature call for. The companionship, however, must be wholesome. A person who makes your life miserable, leaves you feeling shortchanged or puts your life under any form of threat is not a companion. That person does not deserve your attention. It is always a sad day when we read stories of women who die at the hands of their partners, especially after there had been red flags throughout their relationship that their lives were under threat. Think of the school girl that got murdered by her boyfriend in June after telling her friends that he had promised to kill her, yet she still walked away with him and lost her life. Women are known for their big hearts that overflow with love. Love, but be willing to accept it when things go south. Your love for someone should not be the reason why you should stop existing (as when women commit suicide following the collapse of a relationship or get murdered by a violent partner), or why the other person must stop existing (as when women murder men who don’t reciprocate their love.) Life is too sacred to be wasted like that.

There is a message that ladies share a lot on social media which reads: “A strong woman knows how to keep her life in order. Even with tears in her eyes, she still manages to say, “I’m OK,” with a smile.” Don’t say you’re OK when you’re not, because when you bottle emotions up, one day they bubble up and explode, like when you shake a bottle of Coke. Talk to someone who cares. There are organisations available to help women in distress.

Should you find yourself all alone, don’t bury your head in the sand. Show up and make your mark in the world. Regardless of the circumstances, learn a new skill this month to celebrate your womanhood. Love yourself and others. Pray. Have faith. Get a funeral policy from Dups. 

Dups Properties - Swaziland's utility hub

In a previous installment of this column, we discussed the Dups Loyalty Card, and promised that we would give you a breakdown of how it can benefit you. We highlighted the many companies that fall under Dups Holdings. For many, our name is only associated with funeral policies and the funeral home, and we hope this article, and others to follow, will help shed some light on other outstanding activities that we are involved in.

Today we will zero in on Dups Properties, a place where a wide array of services are provided. Dups Properties is responsible for rental properties such as houses, flats and shops as well as construction. Also, if you ever need to hire construction, maintenance or other equipment such as concrete mixers, welding machines, and flood lights, among others, Dups Properties is the place to go.  We rent out catering paraphernalia like tents, chairs, tables, gas stoves, big steel pots, mobile flushable and pit toilets, and a lot more other things. The flushable toilets are the ones with an installed cistern, while with the pit ones, you would be getting the shelter to place around a pit that has been dug on the ground.

Dups Properties also provides plumbing, tiling and carpentry services, not just for buildings belonging to Dups or Dups policy holders, but also to the general public. There’s nothing as distressing as having a blocked toilet or burst water pipe at home or at the office and not knowing who to turn to. Well, now you know!

Our carpentry workshop is where exquisite furniture and fittings are made. The advantage of coming to our workshop over walking into a random shop is that our furniture, be it office desks and cupboards, chests of drawers, cots, is tailor-made to suit your needs. You can even bring in a picture of something you would like or give specifications, our proficient carpenters will deliver. As you may well know already, there are various types of wood that are used to make furniture. You’re free to choose the wood you want, depending on availability and the depth of your pocket.

Outrite Signs is the other arm nestled under Dups Properties. This is where poster-size pictures, banners, billboards, signs and graphics are made.

We hope you’ve been able to see that all the services that Dups Properties provides are basic daily services. If you were a Dups policy holder and came to us for all these services carrying your Dups Loyalty Card, we offer up to 10% discount on some of our products and services. You would also be able to get discounts with other Dups Holdings subsidiary companies. These are tough times and you need to pinch pennies wherever you can.  If you haven’t collected your loyalty card yet, you are missing out on an opportunity to cut costs. Get in touch with us and collect your card. The loyalty card is an electronic smart card similar in appearance to a bank debit card.  Upon being swiped, we at Dups can instantly access information on your personalized portfolio with us, from the insurance cover you have with us, to your purchasing preferences, and what Dups services you are utilizing.

Because of space constraints, we will not be able to do justice to everything you can get from Dups Properties here, but if you are ever in need of specific equipment for construction, maintenance, plumbing, or carpentry, just come to us and you will find it. We will also inform you about the goods and services the company offers on our social media pages, so be sure to visit. You can send queries to info@dupsgroup.com, www.facebook.com/dups or on Twitter @dupsinsurance. Alternatively, you can call us on 2505 2028 to find out more about Dups products and services. Feel free to also pay us a visit at our offices in Manzini, Matata, Matsapha, Simunye, Nhlangano, Mbabane, Piggs Peak and Siteki.

Dups Loyalty Card Makes Everyday Look Like Christmas

In December last year, Dups Holdings launched the loyalty card program with a client rewards program. The loyalty card is an electronic smart card similar in appearance to a bank debit card.  Upon being swiped, we at Dups can instantly access information on your personalized portfolio with us, from the insurance cover you have with us, to your purchasing preferences, and what Dups services you are utilizing.

We offer loyalty cards holders up to 10% discount on some of the products and services provided by the Dups Holdings subsidiary companies.  The card entitles the holder to a number of instant benefits from these companies.

Over the past few months we have been rolling out the new card, which replaces the old Dups card. We are pleased to know that our clients have been very receptive of it. Who wouldn’t be? We all like bargains and are always game for anything that gives us a chance to save through discounted rates, especially in these difficult times.  Those with retail loyalty cards know the thrill of being told you’re paying less for something because you’ve accumulated points that allow you to get a discount. You’ve done your calculations and know you have to pay E150, and you’re told, “No, you’re paying E120 because your loyalty card has enabled you to get a discount.” And just like that you have some extra cash to buy other essential commodities for your family, or spoil yourself with something you were pining for. That’s the feeling we want you to have when you use your Dups loyalty card.

There are some, of course, that have dragged their feet a little in coming to swap their old cards for the loyalty card. We believe this could be because they might not really be aware of how the new card is supposed to benefit them. Our reputation as the best funeral insurance provider is unprecedented, but that’s not the only thing we do best. The funeral insurance, being our most known occupation, sometimes steals the thunder from the other enterprises within our stable. For that reason, in the next few weeks, we will take you through the activities of the other companies that fall under Dups Holdings. It is the services of these companies that will result in you getting discounted rates when you use your loyalty card.

Just to give you the heads up on what is to be discussed in subsequent instalments, there are five companies operating under Dups Holdings, namely Dups Direct Insurance, Dups Properties, Outrite Signs, Dups Herbal, Dups Financial solutions, Liyandza Family Trust, United General Insurance, and the much known Dups Funeral Home and Crematorium.

Here is brief description of some services you can access from our companies in order to benefit from the loyalty program.  Under Dups Properties you can access accommodation catering, electrical, plumbing, building, carpentry and maintenance services.  Dups Funeral Home and Crematorium takes care of all your funeral needs which include tombstones, crematorium, ash urns, and repatriation, among others. If you believe in, or would like to try out homeopathic remedies, Dups Herbal is the place to go. Outrite Signs is responsible for the creation of posters, billboards, banners, signage, printing, and other related services.  We want to be your one-stop-shop for all the basic services you may need on a day-to-day basis, and through the loyalty programme, we will ensure that you don’t walk away empty handed.

Please follow our Facebook page www.facebook.com/dups.  Our vibrant team from the marketing department works hard to respond to all your queries, keeps you up to date with current promotions, and shares all the news you should know from our stable. You can also call us on 2505 2028 to find out more about the loyalty card program as well as all our products and services, or visit us at our offices in Manzini, Matata, Matsapha, Simunye, Nhlangano, Mbabane, Piggs Peak and Siteki. Alternatively, you can send queries to info@dupsgroup.com, or on Twitter @dupsinsurance.