A Mdantsane woman who runs an award-winning life skills project from her tiny backyard, has been hailed as a local hero since her projects empower and uplift unemployed youth.
Glenrose Mashiqa provides sewing, quilting, flower arranging, crocheting, cooking and baking lessons to Mdantsane residents, a project that has created 15 permanent jobs for her neighbours.
Ma Glenrose, as she is affectionately known, was moved by the plight of unemployed mothers when her neighbours began asking her to look after their children while they went to seek piece jobs more than 10 years ago.
Eventually she started the New Era Crèche which now accommodates more than 100 children.
She hopes parents can come up with a minimal R50 per month, but most cannot even spare a cent. Ma Glenrose realised that they all needed an idea.
Her breakthrough came the day she went to Clover SA’s East London factory to buy treats for the kids’ Christmas party a decade ago.
“Clover approached me and asked me what business I was in. I told them that I’m taking care of children. They came here to look at the place and they were impressed with what they saw. Then they suggested that I join Mama Afrika,” said Ma Glenrose.
According to Clover’s website Mama Afrika is a concept aimed at empowering community caregivers with viable skills, which they in turn pass on to others.
There are about 40 other extraordinary Mama Afrikas strung throughout South Africa, and collectively they take care of more than 15500 vulnerable children and 2500 elderly people the site states.
Ma Glenrose’s backyard now has a studio – an informal structure attached to her house – where she trains about 60 local people in various skills.
There is an oven for baking, tiles which she uses for mosaics and a number of knitted scarves and beanies which she sells to the community.
Last year the project was voted the best in the country in the Rural Development Award category at the annual SA Premier Business Awards, which are hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Clover’s corporate services manager Professor Elain Vlok visited Ma Glenrose as part of their annual national roadshow last week where each of the 40 “Mama Afrikas” are visited. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Ma Glenrose uplifts community
Glenrose Mashiqa provides sewing, quilting, flower arranging, crocheting, cooking and baking lessons to Mdantsane residents, a project that has created 15 permanent jobs for her neighbours.
Ma Glenrose, as she is affectionately known, was moved by the plight of unemployed mothers when her neighbours began asking her to look after their children while they went to seek piece jobs more than 10 years ago.
Eventually she started the New Era Crèche which now accommodates more than 100 children.
She hopes parents can come up with a minimal R50 per month, but most cannot even spare a cent. Ma Glenrose realised that they all needed an idea.
Her breakthrough came the day she went to Clover SA’s East London factory to buy treats for the kids’ Christmas party a decade ago.
“Clover approached me and asked me what business I was in. I told them that I’m taking care of children. They came here to look at the place and they were impressed with what they saw. Then they suggested that I join Mama Afrika,” said Ma Glenrose.
According to Clover’s website Mama Afrika is a concept aimed at empowering community caregivers with viable skills, which they in turn pass on to others.
There are about 40 other extraordinary Mama Afrikas strung throughout South Africa, and collectively they take care of more than 15500 vulnerable children and 2500 elderly people the site states.
Ma Glenrose’s backyard now has a studio – an informal structure attached to her house – where she trains about 60 local people in various skills.
There is an oven for baking, tiles which she uses for mosaics and a number of knitted scarves and beanies which she sells to the community.
Last year the project was voted the best in the country in the Rural Development Award category at the annual SA Premier Business Awards, which are hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Clover’s corporate services manager Professor Elain Vlok visited Ma Glenrose as part of their annual national roadshow last week where each of the 40 “Mama Afrikas” are visited. — mbalit@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos