Our days are filled with ups and downs as we navigate our way through a global pandemic, unsure about our futures and what tomorrow holds. With this ongoing stress, it is so heart-warming to know that we have individuals in communities who are caring for those around them, whether it be children or the elderly. MAMA Nondumiso Mpitimpiti, from Amalinda Forest, takes it upon herself to make sure her community is well looked after, no matter what.
MAMA Nondumiso Mpitimpiti, from Amalinda Forest, takes it upon herself to make sure her community is well looked after, no matter what.
Mpitimpiti walked away from a well-paid management job at Telkom when she came across a child sitting outside their place of worship with gaping wounds, infested with flies.
The plight of the children in her community inspired her to obtain her NQF Level 4 in Early Childhood Development and open her centre. She believes that failure to stimulate a child’s mind from birth is detrimental to their future and potential.
She opened the doors to Step Ahead in 2007 and today cares for no fewer than 104 preschool children, as well as coordinating a further 210 preschools in the Eastern Cape region.
She also provides care for five foster homes with 24 orphans.
Mpitimpiti offers training to adults to obtain their NQF level 4 in Early Childhood Development training and is committed to ending poverty and promoting healthy lives and well-being for people of all ages.
She opened a tea garden at her centre so the community can have a place just to relax and uses the income they generate to supplement the children in her care who are not covered by the Department of Social Development.
Clover Mama Afrika, Clover’s corporate sustainability initiative, is a community-led approach aimed at reducing poverty in neighbourhoods by empowering women and those around them to empower the generation that comes after them.
And with the project running successfully since 2004 and hosting 440 training sessions with more than 2 313 beneficiaries over the years, the benefits of upskilling can be clearly seen.
Mama Nondumiso Mpitimpiti has a catering business, called Step Ahead Fuse, which is situated at 54120 Nkomazi Place, Amalinda Forest.
Receiving cooking training from Clover Mama Trust really assisted her in building her catering business and has allowed it to be a success.
From catering for 110 students’ lunches every day, to 600 people at graduation events, their clients have been very happy with their service.
2005: ABSA Award for ECD – winner
2014: NPO Awards – winner
2017: Clover Mama Afrika Ultimate Cleanliness and Hygiene Award – winner
2018: Clover Mama Afrika Ultimate Cleanliness and Hygiene Award – winner
2019: Clover Mama Afrika “Performer Extraordinaire” – Winner
2020: Clover Mama Afrika “Cleanliness & Hygiene” – runner-up
