Two Years of Listening, Connecting and Learning: Lessons from Coordinating Stakeholder Forums in Rustenburg

Since 2022, the Early Care Foundation (ECF) has supported the coordination of a collective forum in Rustenburg focused on the wellbeing and services of children aged 0–5. Two key spaces include: the Young Child Forum, an inclusive platform for sharing knowledge and experiences with local ECD principals and local organizations with young children and a Technical Committee, where planning, coordination, and alignment take place between key partners in the early childhood development (ECD) space such as government departments like Department of Basic Education and NGOS working in the area. Drawing from participatory governance and systems change theory, they serve as sites of relational accountability, where organisations align around a shared purpose.

Rustenburg – North West

In the mineral-rich North West province, Rustenburg is known for its mining economy. Despite the economic potential, communities surrounding the mining towns often live in informal settlements with poor access to water, sanitation, and early learning opportunities for young children. The area has a large population of migrant workers, and children frequently live in households affected by transient employment, making consistent caregiving and early education challenging. Early Care Foundation and DO MORE began working in 2023 guided by the National Integrated ECD Policy.

Lessons from Two Years of Coordination unlocking partnership for young children

1. Bridging Strategy and Practice

While the Technical Committee focuses on strategic alignment, bringing together implementing partners, government departments, and NGOs; the Young Child Forum is a learning and engagement space for ECD practitioners and civil society. It invites participation from across the ecosystem, including parents, ECD practitioners, and community workers.

“We don’t see them as separate committees,” explains Ipeleng Mohlala, Executive Director at ECF. “The expertise from the Technical Committee feeds into the Young Child Forum, and vice versa.”

Rather than operating in silos, the two structures are intentionally interconnected. Planning and implementation are not separated; they inform each other. Technical discussions help shape forum content, while input from the broader forum surfaces insights that influence technical planning. Across both structures, there's a deliberate commitment to working together rather than in parallel. Activities like co-hosted mass registration Imbizo are shaped through shared planning and mutual support.

The interconnectedness and responsive nature of both the YCF and the Technical Committee have also facilitated the inclusion of ECD practitioners as active citizens and their important role as activists for children. As an often-forgotten sector, it was powerful to witness how these platforms create space for practitioners to contribute to significant processes like public policy commentary. These platforms also provide stakeholders with a safe space in which to engage and share with the practitioners; further demonstrating the power of collaboration that is facilitated through a well-coordinated structure.

2. Consistency Builds Credibility

The regularity of meetings, predictable communication, and follow-through on actions have helped build credibility and trust. Even when attendance is low, meetings proceed. Stakeholders know the space is active, reliable, and worthwhile. Over time, this consistency has created momentum.

“Even if it’s only two or three people, we meet and the meeting will happen. Because people know we will be there - they do come and that has brought strength to the forum gatherings.” - Ipeleng Mohala, CEO at Early Care Foundation

3. People Value Face-to-Face Connection

While virtual options are a new normal post covid, what the ECF team has discovered is that in-person meetings have proven more effective. Attendance is higher and the quality of engagement deeper when people are physically present. These gatherings create a sense of community among partners who might otherwise feel isolated in their work.

“People come for the connection. They want to talk to others doing the same work. That’s the drawcard." - Mario Claasen, Head of Programmes at Early Care Foundation

4. Responsiveness Keeps the Forum Relevant

Each forum closes with questions like: “What topic would be most valuable to you next time?” and “Who should be in the room?” This participatory approach has led to sessions shaped around real needs from practical concerns about building compliance and town planning, to community-based strategies for parental involvement. One session on land-use sparked hours of discussion, underscoring the appetite for practical, place-based knowledge that went on for more than 2 hours over time! Keeping energy in the room that is relevant and beneficial to all.

Looking Ahead: Bringing the Forum Closer to Communities

Looking to the future, ECF and its partners hope to decentralise the forum, hosting several similar sessions in different wards across Rustenburg. This shift is aimed at increasing reach especially for those unable to travel or who feel excluded from formal spaces. In some areas, sessions may begin to take the shape of mini-activations designed to target parents and community members.

Some people don’t come because they think it’s not for them, or they can’t afford transport,” Ipeleng, said. “So we’re going to them, We want people to feel like this is their forum and not something run by outsiders.”

Effective early childhood development (ECD) forums are grounded in best practices that enhance collaboration, accountability, and sustainability. Structured capacity-building through mentorship, M&E tools, and community engagement equips leaders to drive change (Nelson Mandela Foundation & ECF, 2023). Inclusive multi-sector participation, including government, NGOs, academia, parents, and community actors which ensures that planning and service delivery are contextually relevant (AfECN, 2024). The goal is to ensure the forum remains community-owned, grounded in local realities, and relevant to those it serves. By fostering collaboration, connection, and care, the Rustenburg Forums are shining as a powerful example of what can be achieved when people unite around young children even through the toughest community challenges of Rustenburg.

About Early Care Foundation

Early Care Foundation (ECF) is a South African non-profit organisation committed to expanding access to quality early childhood development (ECD) services, particularly in underserved communities. Under the leadership of Ipeleng Mohlala, CEO, and Mario Claasen, Head of Programmes, ECF works alongside a dedicated team of development workers to strengthen non-centre-based models of care, build local partnerships, and support the holistic development of young children through community-rooted approaches.