Smarties Week celebrates smart mamas

The project identifies women who are already making a difference, and empowers them to become self-sustaining women with skills from which they can derive an income. "Once having mastered these essential skills, our mamas then pass on their knowledge and teach others in their communities to empower themselves and uplift their communities. Furthermore, their income is also used to support orphaned and abused children, as well as the elderly and infirm," explains manager for Clover's corporate services, Professor Elain Vlok.

Supplementing self-help

With this in mind, the last six years have seen Clover Mamas from all corners of the country travel from far and wide on an annual basis to attend this intensive week of hands-on training, aptly named "Smarties Week". The mamas receive added value workshops that complement their existing self-help projects.

"It is also a wonderful opportunity for them to unite and share ideas and stories. At the end of the week the mamas enjoy the annual Clover Mama Afrika awards ceremony, which sees each mama receives a trophy in recognition for her hard work and commitment to the project," adds Professor Vlok.

Smart crafts

This year Smarties Week was staged at the Hyatt Regency Oubaai Resort. The 2013 theme was centred on "smart crafts" and included the following workshops:

• Recycled crafts workshop
  
• Hair care and styling by Terenzo
  
• Quilt box making
  
• Chunky jewellery production as an alternative to beadwork
  
• Mosaicking
  
• Plate art
  
• Flower arranging
  
• Basic bread baking
  
• Scarf knitting.

"I had never knitted a scarf in my life and so I was very eager to attend the scarf knitting workshop presented by Professor Vlok. Obviously this will be very useful to me and those I care for this winter," said Mama Lucia of Fairview.

Other skills that were shared with Clover's mamas in attendance included insights into etiquette which included laying a table in the proper manner; basic finance; the likes of record keeping and budgeting; as well as pancake making. Another highlight was a visit to the sea which was a first for some of the mamas who had never before set foot on beach sand.

Outstanding mamas

The award ceremony for 2013 was also a night to be remembered. Clover's first and oldest mama, Agnes (86) of Mosselbay was the first to receive an award in 2013. This was followed by special awards of recognition given to Mamas that excelled over the last year. Mama Emily Duda of Muldersdrift received the Most Improved Award for have delivered tangible and sustainable results in just over a year with Clover Mama Afrika Bakes. Mama Zakhe Rammekwa of Princess received the Clover Mama Afrika Business Woman of the Year award for turning her sewing project around. She has moved to rented premises in order to handle the sewing workload.

Mama Dorah Semenya of Seshego took the Top Cleanliness and Hygiene Award for being consistent in health and hygiene for the members in her care. The Top Achiever Award went to two deserving mamas for being consistent in maintaining and improving their respective self-help projects. This award also saw Mamas Glenrose Mashiqa of Mdantsane and Florence Nyakiso of Botshabelo win a top-of-the-range iPad, courtesy of Unicode System.

The grand finale of the night was the Performer Extraordinaire 2013 Award that was unconditionally given to a very emotional and unexpected Mama Selestien Moses for being consistent in showing true Ubuntu dedication and commitment. She has improved on all self-help projects year in and year out, as well as providing employment for 15 members.
While becoming a formidable and most respected member in her community, Mama Selestien has never lost focus caring for and nurturing those in need. She also won a Galaxy tablet courtesy of Unicode Systems.

Embodying Ubuntu

Based on the ancient African custom and concept of "Ubuntu", Clover Mama Afrika places a strong emphasis on assisting people in disadvantaged communities to help themselves, regain their pride, establish livelihoods and become valuable members of their communities and society.

"Just as Ubuntu focuses on everyone playing a role in an integrated community system, Clover Mama Afrika seeks to restore some of the best aspects of African tradition to modern life, such as caring for one another, passing on skills and protecting the young, the weak and the aged. Clover Mama Afrika's motto is 'Ukwakha Isizwe', which means 'building and nurturing our nation', and since 2004, the programme's aim has been to achieve exactly this," says Professor Vlok.

Over the past decade, Clover Mama Afrika has built a reputation as one of South Africa's most innovative, effective and sustainable CSI programmes. Through initiatives such as Smarties Week, it brings tangible benefits to many of the nation's mothers and those who depend on them.