1. How has your experience shaped your leadership approach for this role?
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of leading in very different environments, from corporate banking and sales to entrepreneurship and now social impact. Each phase taught me something about people, purpose, and resilience. My approach today is deeply relational and guided by care.
I’ve always been passionate about skills transfer and creating opportunities for others to grow, helping people find their voice, refine their craft, and gain exposure through meaningful platforms. That commitment to nurturing potential has shaped how I lead: with trust, mentorship, and a genuine belief in shared success.
At the same time, I’ve always been in the trenches with my teams, leading from the front, listening, and learning alongside them. For me, effective leadership balances clear direction with empowerment; it’s about setting the vision and then creating the conditions for others to thrive and reach their full potential.
2. What inspired you to join Clover Mama Afrika Trust?
Clover Mama Afrika brings together everything that resonates deeply with me – empowerment, creativity, and purpose. I was inspired by the way the programme changes lives in a real, lasting way, not through charity, but through opportunity and skill. It’s an approach that uplifts communities from within and honours the dignity of work.
For me, joining the Trust felt like a natural continuation of my own journey, combining strategic leadership with a genuine passion for helping others grow. It’s a space where care meets action, and where we can continue building a legacy of women who lead with heart, strength, and purpose.
3. What makes a CSI project truly impactful in your view?
A CSI project becomes truly impactful when it’s built on understanding rather than assumption. Real change happens when you listen to communities, co-create solutions, and measure success by the growth and independence that follow.
For me, impact isn’t about the size of the project, but the depth of transformation it creates. The most successful initiatives are those that build long-term capacity, equipping people with skills, confidence, and networks that continue to multiply opportunity long after the initial investment.
It’s also about recognising that impact looks different for everyone. In the case of Clover Mama Afrika, each programme and each Mama has unique circumstances and strengths. Part of our responsibility is to assess what truly works for her, not simply what works on paper. Real impact lives in those individual stories of progress, not just in the numbers we report.
4. How will you build on Clover Mama Afrika’s legacy of impact?
Clover Mama Afrika has a remarkable legacy, one built over decades through care, resilience, and a commitment to empowering women. My focus is on strengthening that foundation while ensuring it evolves with the times.
I want to support each Mama in a way that honours her individual strengths, provides relevant skills and opportunities, and fosters sustainable growth. Sustainability is very important to me; it ensures that the impact we create lasts, empowering women and communities long after each programme concludes. At the same time, I aim to enhance our systems, partnerships, and programmes so that the Trust continues to be a benchmark for meaningful social impact.
It’s about amplifying what already works, introducing innovation where it adds value, and ensuring that every initiative deepens our collective impact, creating opportunities, nurturing talent, and building confidence across communities.
5. What does “empowerment” mean to you in this context?
Empowerment, to me, is about unlocking potential and giving women the tools, confidence, and opportunities to shape their own paths. It’s not about giving power to someone but helping them recognise and use the power they already have.
In the context of Clover Mama Afrika, empowerment means creating an environment where each Mama can grow her skills, build her confidence, and take ownership of her work so that the impact she creates is both meaningful and lasting, for herself and for her community. Empowerment is also about each woman recognising her own power and finding her own voice.
6. What key strategies can boost community-driven success?
Start with trust, lead with respect, and build from within. When communities define their own goals and are equipped with relevant skills and resources, success becomes self-sustaining. Success becomes sustainable when individuals feel ownership over the process, when their voices are heard, and when programmes are designed to meet real needs rather than just ticking boxes.
7. How will you foster collaboration among stakeholders?
Collaboration begins with shared purpose. When everyone, from internal teams to community leaders and corporate partners, understands the ‘why’ behind what we do, working together becomes natural. I focus on building strong relationships through open communication, transparency, and mutual respect. Creating spaces for dialogue, partnership, and co-creation allows us to align efforts, amplify impact, and ensure that everyone feels invested in the success of Clover Mama Afrika and the communities we serve.
8. What are your key goals for the Trust?
My key goals for Clover Mama Afrika are to strengthen its impact, expand meaningful opportunities for the Mamas, and ensure sustainability across all programmes. I want to strengthen operational excellence, expand meaningful partnerships, and deepen the quality of impact at every centre.
I also aim to amplify the stories and successes of the Mamas, showing the real-life impact of their work, and to continue creating spaces where skills, creativity, and confidence can flourish. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that every initiative contributes to lasting empowerment for both the women and the communities they serve.
9. Do you have a leadership mantra or philosophy?
Yes, Lead with Care, Act with Purpose. For me, leadership is both strategic and human. Care ensures that decisions consider the people they affect, while purpose keeps us focused on meaningful outcomes. I believe leadership is about creating the conditions for others to grow and succeed, guiding with clarity while empowering people to take ownership of their own development and lives. This philosophy underpins everything I do, whether in mentoring, programme design, or day-to-day management, ensuring that impact is sustainable, intentional, and people-focussed.
10. How will creativity shape your work here?
Creativity is where innovation meets empathy. It allows us to see opportunities beyond what already exists and to solve challenges in ways that are both practical and inspiring. It’s also something that connects deeply with our Mamas; they are, after all, some of the most resourceful and creative women I’ve ever met.
11. Are there any new ideas or projects on the horizon?
Yes, we’re exploring ways to blend traditional skills with modern opportunities, ensuring that what the Mamas already do so well can evolve with changing needs and contexts. This includes initiatives like digital storytelling, sustainable small businesses, and mentorship programmes that connect experienced Mamas with younger or less experienced Mamas.
The focus is on creating opportunities that are sustainable, meaningful, and scalable, while staying true to the values and strengths of Clover Mama Afrika. Every new idea is designed to deepen impact, nurture talent, and open doors for the women and communities we serve.
12. What message do you have for the Clover Mama Afrikas?
You are the heartbeat of this programme. Your resilience, creativity, and dedication continue to inspire everyone around you. Every day, through your work and your care for your communities, you show what true empowerment looks like
My message to you is to keep believing in your own strength, to continue nurturing your talents, and to take pride in the difference you make. Your stories, your growth, and your leadership are what make Clover Mama Afrika a lasting force for positive change, and I am honoured to walk alongside you on this journey.
About Clover Mama Afrika
Clover Mama Afrika is a sustainable Corporate Social Investment project that has been in existence since 2001. Over the years, the project has hosted 1,917 training sessions with skills transferred to 16,016 community members over the years. Teaching and guiding strong females (lovingly called ‘Mamas’ due to their standing in their neighbourhoods) in communities all over the country, to build their skills and sustain and improve their own community projects. Only the most committed are appointed, and these include women looking after orphans, the elderly, and those suffering from HIV/Aids.
