The aim of Siviwe Gwarube’s visit on Thursday (24/7), which was accompanied by Education MEC Abraham Vosloo, was to advance five strategic sector priorities for basic education and build learning foundations.

The department’s nationwide campaign aimed to accelerate early childhood development centre registration and improve access to quality early learning for every child in South Africa.

Registered ECDs 

According to spokesperson Terence Khala, the national target is to register 10,000 ECD centres across the country. Demonstrating the immediate impact of the Kimberley drive, Khala confirmed that 25 ECD centres were successfully registered on July (24/7), with the registration process continuing.

“We always encourage all ECD practitioners and caregivers in the province to come forward and make sure that they can benefit from what the registration has to offer,” said Khala.

The department aims to support and mentor ECD practitioners, especially those needing infrastructure improvements, and guide centres towards achieving the bronze category of registration.

The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, is undertaking a Community Outreach visit to the Northern Cape today, Thursday, 24 July 2025. This visit forms part of her ongoing efforts to strengthen foundational learning and drive the Department’s five strategic sector… pic.twitter.com/iUTajRU1iI

— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) July 24, 2025

“The idea is to make sure we can onboard them first so that we can get the support they need to be able to be assessed and see what other challenges they might face that we would need to assist them with as well,” Khala explained.

Khala further stated beyond mere registration, the department's focus is firmly on ensuring quality learning and quality infrastructure within these ECD spaces. Furthermore, efforts are underway to integrate other social programmes, such as the national nutrition programmes, into these centres, creating a firm foundation for young learners.

Collaboration for Sustainable Change

“Education is a societal issue,” remarked Khala, highlighting the department’s proactive approach to leveraging local partnerships. 

He further stated that collaborating with community organisations and various arms of government is crucial for the success and long-term sustainability of these registration initiatives.

The delegation held a meeting with quality learning teaching campaign members, fostering a shared understanding of sector needs and promoting communication and the importance of ECDs.

Khala expressed optimism about the integration of ECDs into the basic education sector.  “I think the greatest thing that could have happened to the ECDs is to be onboarded to the basic education sector because it really allows us to have the arms of government and the machinery of the basic education sector,” he said.

The integration of ECD ensures that children’s foundational learning empowers them as South African citizens, with registration tracking success and ongoing support for individual centres.

OFM News/Refilwe Bekane cg