Clover Mama Afrika has been awarded the Mail & Guardian Investing in the Future Award in the Corporate Category. In its 22nd year, the Investing in the Future Awards showcase excellence in corporate social investment (CSI) practice.

Since its inception in 2004, the Clover Mama Afrika social upliftment programme has reached more than 11 800 children and 3 500 elderly people many of them abused, orphaned, homeless and vulnerable. The programme started as a humble project and has since developed into Clover’s flagship CSI initiative. It currently has 33 Mamas who run successful care centres throughout South Africa and who act as the backbone in most of their communities.

Clover is sustainably helping them not only to look after themselves, but also the people around them. Clover has empowered 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 supplied with the necessary tools, equipment and infrastructure to create an income for their communities.

The Investing in the Future judges were impressed by the personal touch involved in Clover Mama Afrika. The project’s outreach structure, skills development and focus on community financial sustainability were also praised and given two thumbs up.

“Winning this prestigious award means a lot to us and inspires us to continue the work we do and take Clover Mama Afrika to new heights. This is a proud moment for us all,” says Professor Elain Vlok, Clover Manager Corporate Services and Clover Mama Afrika Trust.