“ECD is Everyone’s Responsibility”: Lessons from the 2024 Nkomazi ECD Imbizo

In a small hall in the heart of Nkomazi in Mpumalanga, over 120 people gathered around an urgent and inspiring dialogue on what it takes to give every child a better start. The 2024 Nkomazi ECD Imbizo was the numberth, organised annually by the DO MORE FOUNDATION and Real Reform for ECD in conjuction with community stakeholders in ECD under a central message:“Early Childhood Development is Everyone’s Responsibility or Indzaba Yetfu Sonkhe in language (?). It is the ongoing rallying cry for deeper, more united action across sectors.

A Community Dialogue

With opening remarks by Mrs PC Luphoko from Nkomazi Municipality MMC of Community Services and a keynote address from DO MORE FOUNDATION CEO Warren Farrer, the day was rooted in both data and human stories. Warren shared compelling statistics and stories from the field, reflecting on the Foundation’s impact over the past decade in Nkomazi.

The strength of the Imbizo lay in its diversity of voices. Talks and panels throughout the day reflected the breadth of ECD, from the spiritual and emotional development of children to issues of access, protection, and systemic collaboration.

Highlights and Insights

Spiritual and Community Support Speaker: Mr Cleopas Maseko, Pastor at Sikunye Church Focus: The role of the church in the first 1,000 days of life Key takeaway: Faith-based organisations play a vital role in supporting young families emotionally and socially, and their involvement in ECD must be expanded.

Cross-Sector Collaboration Speaker: Ms Hazel Brukwe, Director of ECD Mpumalanga Department of Education Focus: Practical frameworks for partnership Key takeaway: ECD challenges can only be addressed when education, health, social development and civil society coordinate their efforts.

Child Protection & Safety Speaker: Mr Tshepo Mudavheni, Gender Focal Person National Department of Social Development Focus: Urgent child protection strategies Key takeaway: There is a need for stronger community-based child safety nets, more public awareness, and interdepartmental coordination.

Panel Discussions Participants: Health professionals, ECD principals, parents, Penreach, SAPS, social workers, and municipal officials Key takeaway: Local actors must be supported to implement change on the ground. Participants called for more training, clearer reporting processes, and sustained dialogue platforms.

3 Key Outcomes to Carry Into 2025

Deeper community involvement: The Imbizo affirmed that sustainable ECD requires a whole-community approach. 2025 plans include strengthening parent involvement and increasing local leadership in ECD advocacy.

Expanded faith-based partnerships: The role of churches and other spiritual organisations in ECD, especially in the first 1,000 days, will be deepened and formalised.

Enhanced child protection systems: Strategies and ideas raised during the child protection sessions will be piloted in collaboration with local partners.

2025 Challenges & Opportunities

Challenges

Access and equity: Many children still lack access to quality early learning, particularly in under-resourced areas.

Workforce development: Ongoing training and retention of skilled ECD educators is essential.

Tech integration: There is growing potential in tech-based learning, but disparities in access must be addressed.

Opportunities

Strengthening multi-sector partnerships for greater alignment and resource sharing.

Innovative practices to enhance engagement and learning.

Policy influence from local experience to national frameworks.

Empowered communities leading their own ECD transformation

A Shared Mandate

The Nkomazi ECD Imbizo is a model that shows what’s possible when stakeholders step out of their silos and come together with a shared goal to ensure no young child is left behind. In 2025, the call is clear: to turn dialogue into meaningful action, collaboration into policy, and community into catalyst.

Because early childhood development isn’t someone else’s job - it’s everyone’s responsibility.