Clover Mama Afrika – Ukwakha Isizwe

Clover’s far-sighted and innovative social upliftment programme, Clover Mama Afrika - Ukwakha Isizwe (building and nurturing our nation) - has exceeded all expectations since it was launched in 2004. By supporting the real pillars of any community – the Mamas – Clover has been able to actively reach more than 12  000 children and 3 500 elderly, many of whom have been abused, or are orphaned, homeless or victims of HIV/Aids.

Clover’s flagship social upliftment project seeks to assist and support communities at grassroots level. By empowering the Mamas – the backbone of most communities – Clover is sustainably helping them to not only look after themselves, but also the people around them. Mamas reflect humility, caring and strength and are respected by their peers. Equally important, they understand the needs of their communities, and actively seek to address those needs in whatever way possible. Within their community, they unassumingly take charge of protecting, nurturing and educating their children as well as taking care of the abandoned senior citizens.

Today the Clover Mama Afrika project supports 35 Mamas who run successful care centres throughout South Africa. Clover trains them to become proficient in such essential skills as cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, business management, food gardening and bread baking skills. Over and above the training sessions these women are supplied with the necessary tools, equipment and infrastructure to create an income for their communities.

While Africa is still a land of hunger and need, Clover Mama Afrika is a story of hard truths and soft touches…. Of an initiative that’s out of Africa and fully in place… Of money that’s not simply disappearing into a bottomless pit, but helping people rise above their circumstances. Clover is passionately committed to its Mamas and to the programme. It has the infrastructure and the finances to continue supporting the communities throughout South Africa. As Professor Elain Vlok, Manager, Corporate Services from Clover and driver of the project explains: "The Clover Mama Afrika project is a long-term commitment to social development. The focus is on self-help projects to ensure the sustained improvement of the standard of living in the various communities. The principles of the initiative can be related to the old proverb that says that if you give a man a fish, you will feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Should you wish to get involved or want more information please visit:

www.mama-afrikanews.co.za or email mamaafrika@clover.co.za