South Africa could have been in a much stronger position today if the government had prioritised early childhood development (ECD) three decades ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted. Speaking at the recent Basic Education Sector Lekgotla in Ekurhuleni, he acknowledged that the failure to invest in ECD early on was a costly oversight.
“We should have started with early childhood development 30 years ago. If there is any mistake that we have made as a nation, as a government, it is this one,” said Ramaphosa. “We were blindsided, and we should have realised that to get this country on a much higher plane of development, we should have started then. Now, we need to gather speed, focus, and momentum.”
The Economic Case for ECD Investment
The World Bank’s latest economic update on South Africa has reinforced the urgency of quality basic education as a key driver of inclusive economic growth. According to the report, ensuring that children receive a solid educational foundation is critical to transforming South Africa into a high-income nation.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube echoed this sentiment, stressing that immediate action is needed. Speaking at a recent funders’ breakfast in support of Bana Pele (a Setswana phrase meaning “children first”), she made a passionate plea for investment in ECD.
“If Africa is to seize its moment and replicate the success of economies like China’s, it must start with ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality early childhood education,” said Gwarube. “The time to act is now – let us be intentional, strategic, and bold in our ambition to create an education system that equips every child with the tools to succeed.”
The Stark Reality: Millions of Children Left Behind
Despite growing recognition of ECD’s importance, South Africa still has a long way to go. The Thrive by Five study, initiated in 2021, paints a bleak picture:
- Around 1.3 million children aged three to five are not enrolled in any early learning programme.
- Of those who are enrolled, only 45% meet the expected cognitive development milestones.
- Children from the poorest 60% of households are falling significantly behind.
- 5.7% of young children show signs of chronic malnutrition.
Bana Pele: A Lifeline for ECD Centres
A major obstacle for ECD centres is registration. To qualify for state subsidies and support through the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) ECD 2030 Strategy, centres must be registered – yet many are not. This is where Bana Pele steps in. The initiative aims to register thousands of ECD programmes, unlocking crucial government support.
A key component of Bana Pele is the Mass Registration Drive (MRD), which enables ECD centres to access state funding. Currently, up to one million children are not receiving government subsidies. Registered centres can access a R17-per-day subsidy per child, which can be a game-changer for underfunded facilities.
Private Sector Support Needed for ECD Transformation
For Bana Pele to succeed, corporate South Africa must step up. While the private sector has already contributed expertise and resources, an additional R150 million in funding is urgently needed to scale the initiative.
According to Nomsa Muthaphuli, ECD & Youth Fund Manager at the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust, collaboration is what sets Bana Pele apart.
“What makes Bana Pele unprecedented is how the partners are working together,” said Muthaphuli. “In the past, private-sector partners were expected to simply support government activities. Now, they are both funders and active participants in creating lasting transformation in ECD.”
Investec South Africa is one of the corporate backers of Bana Pele. Setlogane Manchidi, Head of Corporate Social Investment at Investec, highlighted the broader economic impact of investing in ECD.
“When we give children the best start in life, we contribute towards creating enduring worth by improving their chances of active economic inclusion and a better quality of life,” said Manchidi.
A Life-Changing Initiative for ECD Providers
For many ECD providers, Bana Pele has been a lifeline. Christina Grisselda Madlala, who runs Asbonge Day Care in Carletonville, Gauteng, struggled for years to provide adequate facilities and learning support for the children in her care. She describes her journey with Bana Pele as life-changing.
“It was my prayer every day, asking God for help because I didn’t know how to do this,” said Madlala. “Then we got an invitation from social workers. They told us about Bana Pele – it was perfect for us. They said no one will be left behind.”
Madlala is now bronze-registered, the first step toward full compliance. Next, she must meet silver-level requirements to qualify for the R17-a-day subsidy per child.
“When they phoned and told me I got bronze, I said my prayers have been answered,” she said. “Bana Pele came to me, and I grabbed it.”
Conclusion: A Race Against Time
The importance of early childhood education cannot be overstated. While South Africa may have missed the boat 30 years ago, the renewed focus on ECD – through initiatives like Bana Pele – offers a chance to correct course. But time is of the essence. Without swift action and greater financial commitment from both the public and private sectors, millions of children will continue to fall through the cracks.
With government, corporate partners, and community stakeholders working together, the dream of quality early childhood education for every South African child could finally become a reality.
