Thembisa’s Clover Mama Afrika shines in her community
Clover Mama Afrika would not be a success without our loving, caring and hardworking mamas.
Mama Mirriam Makamu of Thembisa is a Clover Mama who pays wages to 46 people.
Clover Mama Afrika is a sustainable corporate social investment project that has been in existence since 2004.
The Clover Mama Afrika’s character is ‘Ukwakha Isizwe’ which means building and nurturing our nation.
Prof Elain Vlok, Clover Manager, Clover Mama Afrika Trust, said: “The project sets out to alleviate poverty by facilitating self-sufficiency initiatives.”
Going on 16 years now, the project has changed the lives of so many individuals and continues to do so. Vlok is the driving force behind Clover Mama Afrika.
Vlok added that at the heart of the project are the carefully appointed ‘mamas’ who already act as pillars of strength in their communities.
“These mamas have grown and developed immensely. Some have grown even beyond their own expectations and goals.”
“The project aims to empower women in communities across the nation with various vital skills, such as cooking, baking, sewing, quilting, business management and food gardening.”
Vlok added that over and above the training sessions, these mamas are all supplied with the necessary tools, equipment and infrastructure to create an income for themselves in order for them to give back to their communities. A lot of research goes into appointing mamas to be become part of the Clover Mama Afrika family.
While many women apply, the selection process involves a qualitative process.
Vlok selects through visiting the woman at her centre, evaluating how determined and hardworking she is and how committed she will be to further her skills and upskilling those in her community.
The project has 27 operating Clover Mama Afrikas who collectively manage 141 income-generating projects and 39 added value projects. These formidable women collectively care for more than 11 700 children and over 2 700 eldery. These mamas come from all over South Africa, in all provinces.
“Clover Mama Afrika would not be a success without our loving, caring and hardworking mamas. These women make their communities their top priority and put so much time and dedication into the training that we provide them in order for them to, in turn, upskill those in their communities.”
Over the years, the project has hosted 417 training sessions with over 2 241 beneficiaries. Teaching and guiding strong females in communities all over the country.
Only the most committed are enrolled,which include women looking after orphans, the elderly and those suffering from HIV/Aids.
