"Children learn through play and fantasy," says Beauty Makhubela, an ECD practitioner at Mazinyane Preschool in Lilydale B. "Who knows if one of them who plays with wooden blocks will be a builder one day! We don't tell them to build a house – we tell them to create something. Through these resources, our children are growing well."
Beauty takes pride in shaping young children's lives, using an array of educational tools: bean bags, building blocks, a broom set, plastic cups and saucers, a knitted octopus, various books (both English and Shangaan) and a wooden push-and-pull car—just a few of the valuable resources she uses to guide the little ones' development.
As a participant in SLT's Train-the-Trainer ECD programme, she shares, "The training has given me confidence because you can't teach something you don't know. Now I know how to use the resources and how they're developing our children in the classroom."
A Lasting Commitment
Since 2009, the Singita Lowveld Trust (SLT) has supported ECD initiatives in local communities. While the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) provides guidelines, preschool teachers in the under-resourced rural communities need assistance to put these ideas and concepts into practice.
Enter Frank Makwakwa, SLT's ECD specialist.
In 2024, he dedicated 173 hours to training 87 teachers and centre managers, partnering with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to bring the curriculum to life in classrooms.
Frank's workshops focus on the six key areas of child development (known as ELDAs—Early Learning and Development Areas) that children learn through free play. He helps teachers and practitioners understand not just what children need to learn but also how to teach it effectively.
Thanks to the generosity of guests and funders, SLT has been able to equip classrooms with the necessary resources.
Frank explains, "Every item, from our educational toys to our classroom furniture, is chosen with purpose. We're not just filling spaces but creating environments that encourage exploration, creativity, and active learning."
SLT’s ECD takes learning to the next level
SLT’s ECD programme supports centre managers and practitioners through regular training, workshops and hands-on guidance. What started as an initiative reaching between 1,700 and 2,000 children yearly has grown even further. In 2024, the programme supported 2,096 children aged 0-5 years across 67 classrooms.
Amanda Aulitha Sibuyi, Centre Manager for Ntshuxekani Preschool, says much progress has been made as a result of the training.
"Since SLT came to teach us how to use the resources, our classrooms are now on another level!" she says.
Frank enjoys visiting the various centres and seeing the changes being implemented with joy and pride. "The impact of the training is translating into something tangible and visible when you visit their classes," he says.
Loveness Mthabine, Centre Manager for the Pfunekani Day Care Centre, says the resources and training have made a difference, not only in giving the practitioners the skills and resources needed but also because enrolment numbers have grown from just 50 children to between 150 and 200.
“Due to Singita’s assistance, we have been able to grow our school,” says Loveness, “Since we were trained, I have developed a love for my job!"
Expanding Community Impact
In 2024, the programme's reach expanded significantly. Fifteen youth were appointed as classroom assistants, receiving training to support the practitioners and enable SLT to reach more ECDs. These initiatives have directly impacted 990 people, showcasing the scalability of SLT's work within the region and paving the way for the future.
There is so much scope for more. Frank and the ECD team are currently working on an SLT ECD Resource Manual that will be another valuable resource for practitioners—available in both English and Shangaan.
Linky Nkuna, SLT's Community Programme Manager, says, "We have spoken to the ECD centres about what they need, and we have put the manual together using the National Curriculum Framework, making the manual visual, practical and a valuable reference that can be used daily. We aimed to make it easy to understand by not only the practitioners but anyone who walks into the ECD centres that SLT supports."
For those working in the centres neighbouring Singita’s reserves, watching children develop and grow each day is a gift, and SLT has ambitious plans to extend the reach of the holistic ECD support programme far and wide.
Amanda Aulitha Sibuyi is proud to give back and help the children reach their full potential.
"It makes me feel happy that I've put something into the community, and the community is now benefitting. Myself, I feel proud about that and I'm happy if I can see my village getting better."
