Finalist
Individual Award
Florence Nyakiso
Over the past decade and a half, Florence Nyakiso has been dedicated to improving the lives of children and the elderly in her community by caring for them on a daily basis. She started a preschool in Botshabelo, near Bloemfontein in the Free State, in 1995 to care for children while their parents were at work.
In 2008 she became a Clover Mama Africa and now looks after more than 160 children. “Her drive and dedication to change the lives of her fellow Âcommunity members are admired and respected by her peers,” said Professor Elain Vlok, manager of the Clover Mama Afrika Trust.
Clover Mama Afrika is a national social-responsibility investment project that empowers women with skills training so that they can Âsustain themselves. The project was launched in October 2004 with four Clover Mamas, but countrywide it now assists 35 such mamas who Âcollectively care for more than 12?800 children and 3?500 elderly people.
Vlok explained that each Clover Mama had different needs and as such Nyakiso had identified the skills that would be most beneficial for her and her community. “She took on sewing, bread Âbaking, food gardening, quilting, flower arrangement, specialised cake Âbaking and decorating. She has since transferred her skills to almost 40 community members.”
Nyakiso set up a care centre and now identifies community members to do courses that will help them to become project leaders. She has also set up a bakery; her sewing business provides employment and cheaper clothing for residents; and her food gardens provide meals for the children and adults at the centre as well as for more than 50 elderly people twice a week.
She has been able to facilitate job creation and income generation on a wider scale. “When she started with Clover Mama Afrika, she was only able to pay her members stipends. Today she is paying salaries to 20 members,” said Vlok.
Additional income is generated for the centre through self-help Âprojects. For example, Nyakiso was able to buy a second vehicle with the Âprofits of her bread-bakery project. This meant she could increase the orders for bread because she was able to deliver to a wider area.
She is innovative and lets nothing go to waste. For example, she produces Christmas tinsel from chip packets and all material offcuts that are sent to her are put to use to make products such as pillows, pants for children and winter socks for the elderly.
“She truly depicts the quality and characteristics of an individual who goes beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of those she cares for, young and old,” said Vlok.
The judges commended Nyakiso’s spirit and resilience, saying it was women like her who were responsible for driving positive change in their communities.