Clover’s 59th Mama Afrika empowers her community through skills development
The Clover Mama Afrika programme equips women with knowledge and skills in a bid to empower them to go out into their communities and implement different programmes.
Clover’s Mama Afrika has recently appointed and welcomed its 59th Mama Afrika, Zakhe Rammekwua who runs an NPO orphanage in the Princess informal settlement allowing her to grow her footprint and outreach to new communities in the Gauteng area.
Tshepang Programme for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children was started by Zakhe some 17 years ago after leaving her job as an assistant director at Johannesburg Child Welfare in 2006. She said that she had noticed a need at the grassroots level for a daycare facility that offers daily meals, health and hygiene monitoring, counselling, life skills support, and suitable education.
She now caters to 320 youngsters daily and runs a food programme for more than 105 people and seniors supported by 23 full-time carers and looks after child-headed households in her community.
Zakhe’s centre offers a library as she cited her favourite quote which is, ‘Knowledge is power – never give up on an opportunity to learn’. She also feeds 200 children daily and plans to open a preschool. She also owns a popular hair salon and a successful vegetable farm.
The Clover Mama Afrika initiative believes in teaching and upskilling individuals and empowering strong women across the country to better their communities.
“Zakhe, an inspiration and hardworking woman, joins the Mama Afrika sisterhood, aiming to grow and develop her centre, becoming a beacon of light in her community,” Prof Elain Vlok, Clover Mama Afrika Trust manager said.
Clover Mama Afrika is a sustainable corporate social investment project in South Africa, empowering women through 440 training sessions and over 2313 beneficiaries. The project trains and guides strong females, known as ‘Mamas’, in community projects, focusing on orphans, the elderly, and HIV/ Aids patients. The project aims to upskill these hardworking, selfless individuals, ensuring their communities are uplifted.
Zakhe’s staff had only good things to say about her and the experience at the orphanage.
“I was first a beneficiary and through Clover, we did arts and culture. Mama Zakhe has been a mother to me spiritually, she was there throughout all my highs and lows,” Nofesane Bushula said.
“This is a place we call home – a place that brings joy, and love and offers support to the community of Princess, we have different programmes and activities, and we cannot wait for Clover to come back to us,” Keitumetsi Dhlamini, a child and youth care worker said.
Teaser: The Clover Mama Afrika programme equips women with knowledge and skills in a bid to empower them to go out into their communities and implement different programmes.
