The lives of two of Clover’s Mama Afrikas have just been made so much simpler, thanks to Flexifleet. Mama Shirley Merime, of Ennerdale, and Mama Felicity Maluleke of Soweto, were the lucky winners of a live draw on Ontbytsake, KykNet where they each won themselves a brand new Toyota Yaris, donated by Flexifleet.

Clover Mama Afrika - Ukwakha Isizwe (building and nurturing our nation) is Clover’s flagship social upliftment project which seeks to assist and support communities at grassroots level. By empowering the Mamas – the backbone of most communities – Clover is sustainably helping them not only to look after themselves, but also the people around them.
The project currently assists 33 of these matriarchs who collectively care for more than 11 800 children and over 3 000 elderly. For the past four years, Flexifleet has partnered with Clover, during which time it has donated eight vehicles to this worthy project.

“No words can describe what a difference this valuable partnership with FlexiFleet has and is doing for our Mamas. Every year two Mamas stand a chance of owning their own vehicle, giving them much needed mobility. This new level of independence helps them enormously in the day-to-day running of their community projects,” explains Professor Elain Vlok, Manager Corporate Services and patron of the Clover Mama Afrika project.

John Loxton, Managing Director of FlexiFleet, says it made sense to support the Clover Mama Afrika initiative as it emphasised realistic economic empowerment, something that is central to Flexifleet’s core values and objectives. “The Clover Mama Afrika corporate social investment project is a perfect fit with our own corporate values of empowerment on a sustainable level. This donation is a small gesture that hopefully has a big impact on their lives. Their gratitude of such a gesture is heart warming.” says Loxton. This is the fourth year that Eqstra Corporation, through its subsidiary FlexiFleet, supports the Clover Mama Afrika project with vehicles.

Both winning Mamas Shirley and Felicity are remarkable women who have been selflessly helping improve the lives of children and women in their communities for many years. Mama Shirley Merime from Ennerdale runs the Ebenezer Hannah Home where she cares for 77 elderly and more than 60 children on a permanent basis. She also provides a safe haven for about 95 Xenophobia victims. Mama Shirley is affectionately known as ‘Mother Teresa’ by the residents as she truly believes that the needs of others are more important than her own. “Praise the Lord, Halleluiah, I do not have words to describe how I feel. This gift is a blessing and one that we will cherish for many years.” Says a proud Mama Shirley.

Mama Felicity Maluleke from Meadowland Soweto had big shoes to fill by taking over Mama Linah’s legacy at Vutomi Inyioko Stimulation Centre. Felicity however, is no stranger to the good work that has been done in caring for up to 25 mentally and disabled children. She has been working closely with Mama Linah for the last six years. Young Mama Felicity herself has experienced a sad and challenging life when her 4 year old girl passed away. This is when she dedicated her life to learning and working with young children who cannot fend for themselves. On being the lucky Mama winning the vehicle, Mama Felicity says, “This is like a dream, I cannot believe it….thank you FlexiFleet and Clover Mama Afrika. My projects will only grow from strength to strength with this valuable prize.”

Clover Mama Afrika’s success is attributed to the continued support and partnerships such as FlexiFleet.

Proud winners Mama Shirley and Mama Felicity with their new cars

Prof Elain Vlok, Mama Shirley Merime with John Loxton and Mama Felicity Maluleke