A Hammanskraal community centre was among those represented in Clover Mama Afrika’s newly launched “Business in a Box” income-generation initiative, a pilot programme aimed at linking practical skills training directly to sustainable income opportunities.
Silva Machava from Mama Kedibone Miyambo’s Moepathutse Children Centre in Hammanskraal was selected to participate in a five-day pilot training focused on barbering and grooming as a viable small-business opportunity.
Front row (from left): Darren Tyani (Mama Felicity’s Centre, Soweto), Penuel Dube (Mama Sipiwe’s Centre, Hazyview), Bongani Pretorius (Mama Nolitha’s Centre, Western Cape) and Tebogo Mohlakwane (Mama Zakhe’s Centre, Princess, Roodepoort).
Middle row (from left): Shaheed Naran (Mama Gail’s Centre, Magaliesburg), Johanna Masimula (trainer), Rika Haasbroek (Clover Manager: Corporate Social Investment), Silva Machava (Mama Kedibone’s Centre, Hammanskraal), Gavin Tudi (Mama Nomsa’s Centre, George) and Sarah-Lee Porton (training assistant).
Back row (from left): Andreas Wolmarans (director), Sibusiso Siphethu (Mama Dawn’s Centre, KwaZulu-Natal) and Will Breedt (director and educator).
Clover Mama Afrika is a corporate social investment programme that supports women — known as “Mamas” — who run community-based centres caring for orphans, vulnerable children, the elderly, young adults with disabilities and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and other social challenges. In addition to social support, the programme provides skills development initiatives intended to strengthen the sustainability of these centres.
The “Business in a Box” concept forms part of that effort. According to Ms Rika Haasbroek, Clover’s Manager for Corporate Social Investment, the initiative was developed to address the gap between training and access to the tools needed to begin earning immediately.
“Our Mamas often have members who are keen to work but lack the training and equipment to do so. Through this pilot programme, we are actively training people who can ‘work now’, providing them with both the skills for work and the equipment they need to immediately earn an income,” Ms Haasbroek said.
The pilot programme, held from 9 to 13 February, brought together participants from Mama Afrika centres across the country, including Soweto, Hazyview, the Western Cape, Roodepoort, Magaliesburg, George and KwaZulu-Natal. Representing Hammanskraal was Machava, who was nominated by his centre to attend the training.
The group completed an intensive course at the Hair Academy Hub in Garsfontein, an institution accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Training included ethnic men’s hair styling, beard and skin care, modern fades and fashion cuts. Participants practised on mannequins before undergoing formal assessments, concluding with a final evaluation on live models.
Upon completion, each trainee received a fully equipped mobile salon kit valued at approximately R40 000, funded by Clover Mama Afrika. The kit includes a gazebo, fold-up table and chair, professional clippers, scissors, fading shears, brushes, aprons, extension cables and other tools required to operate a mobile barbering service.
The “Business in a Box” model is designed as a portable, or “pop-up,” salon, enabling graduates to provide services at community centres, taxi ranks, markets, events, and informal trading areas. Trainees will also offer barbering and grooming services at their respective Mama Afrika centres, with income generated remaining within the centres to support daily operations and care programmes. The centres formally engage the trainees and remunerate them for their services.
Participant selection was conducted in consultation with the Mama Afrika centre leaders. As with other Clover Mama Afrika training initiatives, candidates were identified through the centres’ leadership structures, with participants drawn from individuals already involved in centre activities. In keeping with the programme’s emphasis on skills transfer, trainees are expected to share their knowledge with others at their centres.
Clover Mama Afrika, established in 2001, reports that it has hosted 1,917 training sessions and transferred skills to 16,016 community members nationwide.
Ms Haasbrook said following the barbering pilot, the organisation plans to introduce a similar course focused on female hair care, potentially expanding opportunities for beneficiaries at centres, including those in Hammanskraal.
