change in their communities. One of these outstanding mamas is Jacqueline Donkerbroek from Overberg in the Western Cape. She runs the Tesselaarsdal Women Alliance Centre, which assists many mothers and children in the rural areas to get back their self-respect and dignity which has been lost due to abusive circumstances. Through their bread baking project, Jacqueline and her team recently fed 38 school children hotdogs. “We have won the hearts of the children which is a blessing and so happy it could be made in our own bakery,” says mama Jacqueline. Mama Phumelele Mtshali who runs the Bahle Care Centre in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal feeds an average of 100 members daily and employs 20 caregivers to assist with the centre. Eastern Cape mama Albertina Bloko, who started the Tyilulwazi Centre for the Disabled in 2005, feeds 31 members every day with the vegetables she grows. In addition to improving food and nutrition security, 12
the purpose of the initiative is to grow the earnings of South African women and to strengthen their roles as leaders in their communities. Prof. Elain Vlok founder of Clover Mama Afrika says, “It takes a strong woman to be the backbone of the community and feed those in need. These mamas are shining examples of rural women who are making a real difference. I would like to recognise these women on this special day as I am honoured to be able to help these women to help others!” About Clover Mama Afrika The Clover Mama Afrika project started as a humble project 13 years ago and has since developed into Clover’s flagship CSI programme. The project has to date appointed 43 Mamas throughout South Africa. These remarkable women collectively care for over 14 200 children and 2 800 elderly people, many of which are abused, orphaned, homeless and vulnerable.