By Khumo Makame and Palesa Mofoti
The Northern Cape Department of Education hosted an Indaba focusing on Early Childhood Development (ECD) under the theme “Quality Foundational Learning”. The gathering, which is a build-up towards the G20 South Africa Conference, was held at Sol Plaatje University’s (SPU) 7– 8 August 2025.
Delegates included Deputy Minister of Basic Education Reginah Mhaule, MECs for Education Abraham Vosloo and Health, Maruping Lekwene, Executive Mayor, Martha Bartlet, Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal of SPU Prof Debra Meyer, and representatives from various Early Childhood Development Centers and community members.
The Deputy Minister said the purpose was to zone in on global education discussions on issues affecting South Africa. This also stood as a declaration of intent, signaling the government’s commitment to access, equity, and excellence for learners.
Mhaule further added that South Africa has 6.5 million children under the age of 6 years, and only 2.3 million are enrolled in an ECD center, which is about 35%, an indication that there is still a long way to go.
MEC Vosloo said, “ECD is a crucial period that shapes a child’s development, well-being, and success, so if we are serious about improving the quality of education in the Province, we must start at the foundation level. This requires a special focus on numeracy, literacy, and in particular reading with comprehension”.
Executive Mayor Martha Bratlett emphasized that education is the cornerstone of any thriving society. “Recent reports have shown that over 4,000 learners in the Province dropped out of ECD Centers. This is not merely a statistic but a call to action”, Bartlett commented.
In his closing remarks, MEC Vosloo urged everyone to work together towards one goal. “Let us join hands and ensure universal access to quality ECDs in our province. Let us build a future where every child, regardless of background and circumstance, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive from the start”.
The G20 Education Indaba’s message was clear: “Building a better future for the Northern Cape starts with investing in the earliest years of a child’s life. With the province’s collective will and commitment, the vision of universal Early Childhood Development is not just a distant goal but a shared collective journey”.
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