Toni is the founder of Ncedisizwe Centre in Mbekweni, Western Cape, which she started in the early 1990’s. In 2011, she joined the Clover Mama Afrika project which has helped her provide a safe haven for young children that have been abused. As a victim of child abuse, she is determined to provide counselling, food and activities to keep these children off the streets.

With both her awards she has received a total of R104 000 in prize money. Mama Mirriam will use the Ultimate Cleanliness and Hygiene prize money to put better structures in place to make her centre a safer and cleaner place. The Clover Mama Afrika team will provide continuous guidance and feedback to ensure the money gets used efficiently.

She was ecstatic at the announcement of both her awards and is excited that she is able to use this money to further benefit her neighbourhood. Toni says, “Clover Mama Afrika has made it possible for me to continue helping out my community and those children who are unable to help themselves. I am honoured to be part of this amazing project and I am so thankful for this large amount of money that is going to better the lives of so many people. Thank you Clover Mama Afrika!”

Mama Mirriam is driven to continue to work hard to save enough money as it is her dream to fix up her centre as there is much needed be done, such as repainting, fixing the electric wires and building an electric gate to make the centre secure for all the children. She needs to buy new beds for the children who are currently sleeping on the floor, as well as add two big dining tables to her catering business so the guests can be catered for properly.

In the future she is also determined to build an internet café next to her centre as she has noticed the importance of having an internet cafe at her centre so the children will be able to further educate themselves and to provide them with the necessary computer skills needed in today’s world. She will not stop until these dreams become a reality.

Professor Elain Vlok, manager for Clover’s corporate services and founder of Clover Mama Afrika, explains that “Mama Mirriam Toni has only been part of our team of Mamas for four years but has made such progress in this short period of time. She is our Top Achiever of the Year because her dedication and passion has made it possible for her to reach all of Clover Mama Afrika’s objectives. She was also able to win the accolade for ultimate cleanliness and hygiene as she has implemented and maintained an infrastructure within the centre, her bakery and all surrounding areas which provides a safe, clean and healthy environment for all members in her care!”

The Clover Mama Afrika project started as a humble project 12 years ago and has since developed into Clover’s flagship CSI project. Winning many accolades along the way, the project has to date appointed 41 Mamas throughout South Africa. These remarkable women collectively care for over 15 500 children and 2 500 elderly people, many of which are abused, orphaned, homeless and vulnerable.

About Clover Mama Afrika

The Clover Mama Afrika project started as a humble project 12 years ago and has since developed into Clover’s flagship CSI programme. The project has to date appointed 41 Mamas throughout South Africa. These remarkable women collectively care for over 15 500 children and 2 500 elderly people, many of which are abused, orphaned, homeless and vulnerable.

Clover Mama Afrika empowers these Mamas with vital skills such as: cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, business management, food gardening and bread baking skills. Over and above the training sessions these women are all supplied with the necessary tools, equipment and infrastructure to create an income for themselves and give back to their communities. For more information on the Clover Mama Afrika project visit: www.clovermamaafrika.com