After a long and difficult year, the Clover Mama Afrika team took some time out to travel a 6000km journey to visit their Clover Mama Afrikas all around our beautiful country. The trip, which the team considers âa giftâ and an opportunity to reconnect with their Mamas after a long physical separation due to the pandemic, was all thanks to MiX Telematics. The journey has been coined âThe Madiba Roadshowâ due to essence of the trip and the Madiba spirit it embodies.
Each year, the Clover Mama Afrika team visits each of their Mamas to check in, do a needs analysis and review where each Mama is as they progress in their projects, centres and training. Clover Mama Afrika is Cloverâs CSI project, it was founded in 2004 and since inception, the project has hosted a staggering 417 training sessions with over 2241 beneficiaries over the years in order to upskill âmamasâ all across the country.
This year was both âbusiness as usualâ and a bit different â things have been difficult for many of the Mamas, and while most of the time the focus is on developing the Mama to uplift her community, the team recognised that sometimes the Mamas themselves need support at home.
Once lockdown was announced, the team planned ahead as they realised many of the Mamas did not have adequate bedding for themselves. Due to the selfless nature of these women; all blanket donations are distributed to their communities and centres upon arrival. Prior to the country adhering to lockdown level five, the team sent all the ladies new duvets and pillows. On the Madiba roadshow, they surprised the ladies with new linen.
Reconnecting in the Free State
Starting in the Free State, Prof Elain Vlok, Clover Manager, Clover Mama Afrika Trust, got to see the new bedding being put to use. Mama Alinah Marumo of Thabong, Welkom was thrilled with her new bedding. She showed off her well-run centre, including her income generating vetkoek as well as a Shwe-Shwe handbag she was inspired to make during lockdown.
Mama Phomolo Raisa of Botshabelo was elated to receive her certificate for having successfully completed her recent virtual training of the Advanced Cake DĂ©cor course. Being an avid baker herself, Prof wasted no time in stepping into the kitchen to help Mama Phomolo and team refine her Sweet & Savoury Pie cups.
Lifting spirits in the Western Cape
First stop was Mama Mirriam Toni of Mbekweni in Paarl, and true to form, her house was full of activities, from baking to cooking while also full of children to take care of.
In Roodewal Mama Daphne Oliphant, along with Prof Vlok, handed over baker Charlieâs Advanced Cake DĂ©cor course certificate. Charlie proudly said, âThanks to the Clover Mama Afrika cooking and baking training, I have found my passionâ. In her neat sewing room, Mama Daphne shared that it was sewing and baking that got them through hard lockdown.
Catching up in the Eastern Cape
Prof Vlok was impressed with the EC Mamas, âI am so proud to visit the Clover Mama Afrikas in their own homes. Their houses are so neat, clean and comfortable. One can feel the pride they have in their own environment. They truly depict the words âno matter where you live, you can make your home into a palace!â
Mama Albertina Bloko of Kwa Nonqubela Location in Alexandria has been very busy mosaicking, sewing and tending to her food garden. âThe fresh vegetables help me feed a lot of members,â she says.
In Mdantsane Mama Glenrose keeps the elderly and youth in her care busy with an array of projects such as sewing, mosaic and knitting.
Mama Nondumiso Mpitimpiti of Amalinda Forest was another proud recipient of a certificate for her virtual training in Advanced Cake DĂ©cor.
Last stop heart-to-hearts in Gauteng
Mama Mirriam Makamu of Tembisa was especially thankful for her gift of new bedding and linen, because she gave up her home to house her very productive and successful bakery, and now lives at the church.
Next, the team travelled to Dobsonville where Mama Engelina Molete said how she is âhappy to be a part of this wonderful family,â. Prof visited her food garden which was started less than two months ago. âThanks to the wonderful rain, our vegetables, fruit trees and herbs are growing magnificently. I cannot be more thankful for this project.â Mama Engelina exclaimed.
Prof Elain had the opportunity of going through Mama Felicity Malulekeâs feedback report with her and also presented her with a certificate for successfully completing the virtual Advance Cake DĂ©cor training. âMama Felicity of Snake Park, Soweto is an exceptionally talented Mama in all that she does, whether it is baking, sewing, quilting or mosaic work. I am very proud of this young Mama,â says Prof Elain.
In Ennerdale Prof Elain and Mama Shirley Merime marvelled at the shady trees that were donated by fellow Cloverites in 2011. The trees were about 1m high at the time.
A total of 6470kms was covered during the Madiba Roadshow. âWe cannot thank MiX Telematics enough for this journey. We finally got to see our Clover Mama Afrikas in their own homes, and we are so proud of how theyâve coped in a pandemic. They allowed us into their safe havens, their bedrooms, each showing off their newly received gifts. Their gratefulness for this gesture was priceless. This roadshow has given me a new sense of pride of the work that we do and how every little bit of help is appreciated beyond words by our own formidable Clover Mama Afrikas,â confirmed an emotional but very proud Prof Vlok.
