Clover Mama Afrika has launched a unique income-generation initiative for its Mama Afrikas and their staff. “Business in a Box” is a concept aimed at equipping Mamas and trainees with practical, market-ready skills that enable immediate economic participation within their communities.
“Business in a Box” turns practical training into an immediate economic opportunity. It empowers our Mama Afrika centres to become self-sustaining while uplifting individuals and communities through entrepreneurship. We are so excited to bring this to our Mama Afrikas and uplift and empower them and their communities,” says Rika Haasbroek, Clover Manager: Corporate Social Investment.
“This concept was developed as a solution for those looking for immediate income opportunities,” adds Haasbroek. “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.”
The pilot programme, taking place between 9 February to 13 February, introduced through Clover Mama Afrika’s training platform, focuses on barbering and grooming as a sustainable livelihood opportunity. The initiative begins with an intensive five-day training programme hosted at a hair training institution, Hair Academy Hub in Garsfontein, accredited by QCTO, where participants are taught essential barbering and grooming techniques.
Training includes ethnic men’s hair styling, beard and skin care, modern fades and fashion cuts – equipping trainees with in-demand, income-generating skills. Upon successful completion, each participant receives a fully equipped mobile salon kit valued at approximately R40 000, fully funded by Clover Mama Afrika. “Hands-on training is very important; during the week, the trainees will be provided with mannequins to train on, then they will be tested and assessed accordingly, and finally they will flex their newly learned skills on a live model on the last day of training, when the final assessment will be done,” explains Haasbroek.
Importantly, the Mamas were very involved in identifying applicable candidates for the training. “Individuals accepted for the course were reviewed in consultation with our mamas – we needed to select people who are committed to making use of the skills and investment provided,” Haasbroek explains.
The comprehensive kit includes a gazebo, fold-up table and chair, professional clippers, scissors, fading shears, brushes, aprons, extension cables and other essential tools required to operate a mobile barbering service.
Designed as a “pop-up salon”, the concept allows the graduates to offer services anywhere, whether at community centres and markets, to events and informal trading areas. “Business in a Box” affords them the opportunity to transform public spaces into viable business opportunities. Income generated through the initiative is reinvested into Clover Mama Afrika centres, helping to sustain community programmes and expand long-term impact.
Trainees will deliver barbering and grooming services at the Clover Mama Afrika centres, with proceeds from these services remaining within the centre to support ongoing care programmes, daily operations and long-term sustainability initiatives. The trainees are formally engaged by the centre and will receive remuneration from the respective Mama for their services, creating valuable employment opportunities.
True to Clover Mama Afrika’s ethos of the importance of skills transfer, as part of the programme, trainees are also expected to pass on their skills to others at the centre, ensuring knowledge is shared, community capacity is strengthened, and a sustainable cycle of learning and impact is maintained.
The pilot programme reflects Clover Mama Afrika’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development, job creation and skills transfer. By combining training, tools and enterprise support, the initiative demonstrates how small, targeted investments can create meaningful and lasting change.
Following this pilot of Business in a Box, the project already has its sights on a similar course for female hair care, further expanding the concept and providing even more opportunities to Clover Mama Afrikas and their centres.
