By Theresa Michael, CEO of Afrika Tikkun Bambanani
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent admission that South Africa’s 30-year delay in implementing Early Childhood Development (ECD) was the country’s “biggest mistake” is an important acknowledgment of a systemic failure that has disadvantaged millions of children. His statement, delivered at the Basic Education Lekgotla, demonstrates a longstanding issue in South Africa’s education system; one that has contributed significantly to poor learning outcomes and educational inequality.
For decades, ECD has been undervalued and underfunded, leaving countless children without access to essential early learning opportunities. Yet research consistently shows that the early years are the most critical period for cognitive, social, and emotional development. Without a strong foundation in these formative years, children struggle to cope with formal schooling, leading to lower academic achievement, higher dropout rates, and a continuous cycle of poverty and inequality.
It is the fundamental responsibility of government to ensure that every child has access to quality education from the earliest stages of life. Education is not a privilege but a right enshrined in the Constitution. A lack of investment in ECD has long denied children their right to equal opportunities in learning and development. Governments around the world prioritise early learning as a key driver of national development, and South Africa can no longer afford to lag behind.
Ramaphosa’s statement, while a necessary admission, must now be backed by decisive action. The government must not only prioritise ECD in policy but also ensure that resources are allocated effectively to support teacher training, curriculum development, and infrastructure improvements, particularly in underprivileged areas. If South Africa is to create a resilient and future-fit education system, early learning must be at its core.
In recent years, organisations such as Afrika Tikkun Bambanani have been working to bridge this gap by preparing children for school through structured training programmes, curriculum development, and targeted interventions. Over the past five years, Afrika Tikkun Bambanani has impacted over 40,000 children, worked with 500 ECD centres, and upskilled close to 3,000 teachers. This kind of work demonstrates that with the right investment, early learning can be transformed, setting children on a path to success.
While NGOs and the private sector have played a critical role, sustainable change requires systemic government intervention. The state must ensure that ECD is integrated into the broader education system with adequate funding, policy support, and long-term planning. Collaboration with civil society, educators, and stakeholders will be key to ensuring a national commitment to quality early learning.
The time for excuses has passed. The 30-year oversight must now be rectified with bold and immediate action. South Africa’s children deserve better, and it is the government’s duty to ensure they receive the strong educational foundation necessary for a brighter future.
For more information about Afrika Tikkun Bambanani, please visit https://afrikatikkunbambanani.org/