LEADING THE MAMAS
MAMAS Alliance, the CSI agency with a network of 37 NGOs across the country, has appointed Kabelo Mosate as their new MD.
Mosate has worked in the NGO sector for the past seven years, having previously been the Education Manager for the National Education Collaboration Trust.
“What drove me to the sector is seeing a need to develop our country. I have realised that government cannot do development work on its own – collaboration and working with partners are required for projects to be implemented at scale,” she says. “NGOs do a lot for the community, and no matter how small they are, the change they bring to individuals and the community is amazing”.
Mosate’s passion for helping communities started while studying at Rhodes University, where she volunteered for a local NGO, mentoring young girls and teaching them life skills, before volunteering for The Cancer Association of South Africa in Soweto after graduating.
“Seeing how your work has touched people. Understanding that it is not always about you, that you are here to serve the people,” Mosate says, commenting on why she is so passionate about working within this sector. “It’s the improvements in the lives of people and communities that fuel the fire to keep going, to strive to succeed and keep you on the right path”.
When it comes to challenges within this sector, Mosate says that the pool of funds is limited, with many organisations competing for the same resources from the same companies.
What makes MAMAS Alliance different is that it provides a platform for companies who might not have the capacity to manage their CSI spend in-house, to partner with the Alliance, who can manage the whole CSI process from start to finish.
This service is provided at no cost, with a guarantee to all companies that 100% of the funds invested in a CSI project go directly to the intended NGO, and subsequently the intended beneficiary.
MAMAS Alliance prioritises the empowerment and upliftment of vulnerable youth and children across South Africa, with a network of 2 200 Mamas across these 37 independent autonomous NGOs operating from 75 predominantly rural sites.
“The DNA of the organisation, understanding that Mamas know best, and they must be allowed to run their organisations as they see fit. MAMAS Alliance is also supporting these grassroots NGOs that operate in the poorest provinces and rural areas, areas that are at times side-lined and do not receive much support. I love that MAMAS Alliance works with the NGOs and children in these areas,” Mosate says
The ability of MAMAS Alliance to work at no cost is possible because the organisation is funded by Children’s Fund MAMAS, a Dutch charity that has been co-funding dozens of childcare organizations across South Africa since 2000.
“At the heart of the organisation, is the love of children and ensuring that they live fulfilled lives. We know that child development is important, and we support the holistic development of children through early childhood care, nutrition, education and play,” Mosate says. “Our Power Girls programme works to build the self-esteem and confidence of young girls. Through the programme, the girls have a safe haven to learn and talk about any personal challenges they might be experiencing”.
Mosate, who comes from a family of strong independent women, is married with a 5-year-old son and lives in Wilgeheuwel, Johannesburg. When she does have some free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and reading African literature and has dedicated this year to reading books written by black and African writers. Her wish for the coming year is for all South Africans, and the country as a whole, to start recovering what we have lost from the last 18 months, for everyone to start healing and for everything to start falling into place
For more information about MAMAS Alliance, go to mamasalliance.com
