First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe has put South Africa’s youngest citizens at the heart of the regional agenda, calling on Southern African nations to work together to give every child access to quality early learning.
Dr Motsepe was speaking at a spousal luncheon she hosted for First Ladies from Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries on the margins of the 46th SADC Summit in Durban on Monday, where she made a heartfelt case for investing in young children as the foundation of the region’s long-term social and economic success.
“Early Childhood Development is not simply a social investment; it is one of the most powerful foundations for human development, economic growth, and social cohesion,” she told her guests.
Building on real progress
South Africa has made encouraging strides in expanding access to early learning opportunities, and the recognition of Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a national priority in the National Development Plan 2030 gives the country a strong platform for collaborative action. Dr Motsepe praised the Department of Basic Education for its work in transforming and growing the ECD sector, particularly efforts to improve quality, registration, funding and access.
She was clear-eyed about the road ahead, noting that approximately 3.5 million young children in South Africa are not yet in early learning programmes, and framed this as a call to action for families, communities and government to work together so that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
“As leaders and advocates, we understand that the future of our region depends on the opportunities we create for our youngest citizens today,” she said, adding that quality early childhood development should be seen as “not a privilege, but a right”.
A region united behind its children
Welcoming the First Ladies to South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Motsepe said their presence reflected the strength of regional solidarity and a shared commitment to improving the lives of women and children across Southern Africa.
She highlighted the many hands already at work: civil society organisations supporting children, families and practitioners in communities; local government structures and private sector partners creating enabling environments; and a growing regional network of leaders determined to act together.
“This collective effort demonstrates what is possible when we unite around a common purpose: ensuring that every child, regardless of where they are born or the circumstances of their family, has access to quality care, protection, nutrition, and early learning,” she said.
Spotlight on a homegrown champion
The luncheon also shone a light on the Early Care Foundation, a South African non-profit that has worked for more than 35 years to strengthen early learning, with a focus on training, mentoring and capacity-building for ECD principals and practitioners in underserved communities.
Dr Motsepe expressed hope that the gathering would deepen partnerships across the region, encourage the sharing of knowledge and best practices, and inspire greater action for young children throughout SADC.
“Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to giving every child the strongest possible start in life,” she said.
The story was first reported by SAnews.gov.za.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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