Our ‘Make ECD an Election Issue’ Campaign
We launched this campaign to make ECD a national priority during the election season. As the national elections in South Africa approached, it was essential to engage with political leaders on issues that directly impacted our children’s future. Our campaign demanded that the government prioritise our youngest citizens and our call was for the voiceless to be remembered – the young children in our country who do not get a vote. We came together to advocate for a brighter, more equitable future for all children in South Africa. Our children deserved more!
The campaign targeted the main 11 political parties: ACDP, ANC, ActionSA, BOSA, DA, EFF, FF Plus, IFP, Rise Mzansi, MK Party and the PA.
Political Party Promises for ECD and Young Children Video
As part of our campaign, we approached the political parties to give us their views on ECD. We asked them to tell us what they would do for young children and the ECD sector, if elected, and what they are planning to do about the current challenges affecting young children in South Africa. Watch what the parties that responded had to say, here.
Political Party Manifestos
We compiled summaries and extracts from South Africa’s main political parties’ manifestos, highlighting their commitments to issues affecting young children in our society, with the aim of not only informing the public but also providing a tool to hold these parties accountable for their promises and statements. This document underscores the importance of understanding each party’s stance on crucial aspects such as nutrition, early education, social welfare, healthcare, housing, and safety and security.
You can read the English version here and the IsiXhosa version.
An Op Ed published in the Daily Maverick, can be found here.
Election Debate: Political Party Promises for Young Children
CECD proudly hosted this debate on 7 May 2024, with 9 of the major political parties facilitated by Lester Kiewit, ahead of South Africa’s 2024 elections. This event was historic as it marked the first time in South Africa’s history that multiple major political parties were on the same stage specifically to discuss their positions on addressing the needs of children in the country.
Watch the event here.
Engagement: ECD Workforce and Political Parties
At the Election Debate, we sparked a vital conversation with political parties about ECD and the rights and needs of young children in our country. On 21 May we continued this dialogue, bringing together ECD teachers, principals, parents, children’s organizations, and more. The ECD workforce engaged directly with the political parties, telling the reality on the ground for young children and the ECD workforce, asking them what they will do about it.
Watch the video of the event here.
