Clover Mama Afrika, Clover's corporate sustainability initiative, is a community-led approach aimed at reducing poverty in neighbourhoods by empowering women and those around them to empower the generation that comes after them.

The project has been running successfully since 2004 and has hosted 440 training sessions with over 2 313 beneficiaries.

Mama Hester has been making handsewn animals made from Shwe-Shwe material for more than 10 years for the well-known Old Nics at Plettenberg Bay.

She has trained and upskilled 10 women recently and has another five women in training at the moment to make the Shew-Shew animals. All of these ladies create an income from the handmade toys.

Mama Hester says that she cannot wait to finish her first machine and overlocker sewing course, as she would love to extend the range by not only making all these material animals by hand but also using her sewing machine for her work. 

On top of her handsewn project, she is additionally running a guest house.

"I am so excited and grateful for this opportunity that has been given to me. There is so much I want to do in my community and I am looking forward to the training and upskilling I will receive from Clover Mama Afrika along the way," says Wildeman.

"We are happy to announce our newest Clover Mama joining our team this year. She is our 57th appointed Clover Mama. She is already doing wonderful work in her community, training women and on top of that she runs a guest house," says professor Elain Vlok, Clover manager of Clover Mama Afrika Trust.

"Nothing is too much work for her and she is definitely ready for this challenge and joining our team," adds Vlok. 

Among the 57 Clover Mama Afrikas, there are multiple centres that are providing to various communities. These include:
  • sewing — 24 centres
  • quilting — 13 centres
  • cooking and baking — 24 centres
  • bread baking — 22 centres
  • food gardens — 18 centres
  • beadwork — nine centres
  • crocheting / knitting  — 12 centres
  • flower arranging — 12 centres
  • pottery — one centre
  • hairdressing — five centres
  • egg laying / poultry project — five centres, and
  • welding — two centres.
Clover Mama Afrika concludes that it continues to upskill Clover Mamas in their communities, allowing them to share those skills with others living in their communities.

For more information, visit www.clovermamaafrika.com. You can also follow Clover Mama Afrika on Facebook or on Instagram.