Today, we commemorate the more than 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. They mobilised to demand equal rights and to challenge the discriminatory pass laws and other restrictive systems that controlled where women could live, work and move. Their courage became a defining moment in South Africa's history and laid the foundation for generations of women to continue advocating for justice and equality.
Seventy years later, that legacy has not ended, it has multiplied.
Through our listening engagements and site visits, we have met many women ECD practitioners across South Africa who continue to serve their communities whilst navigating barriers that make their work more difficult than it should be. Many are operating under restrictive compliance requirements, facing challenges with rezoning, government registration, funding and limited income. Yet, despite these realities, they continue to open their doors every morning to young children because they believe in the value of Early Childhood Development.
They continue to advocate for young children. They continue to create places where children can learn, grow and be cared for. They continue to invest in the future of their communities, often with limited resources and little recognition.
This Women's Day, we recognise these women. We recognise their leadership, their persistence and their commitment to ensuring that every child who walks through their gates has the opportunity to a strong early development foundation
Siyanibona. We see you.
As we reflect on the legacy of the women of 1956, we are left with two questions
If the women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 were standing alongside today's ECD practitioners, what barriers would they be demanding to remove?
And what more must we do to ensure that the women building the foundations of our children's futures are supported and recognised enough to be able to do their work without unnecessary barriers?
Umncedi
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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Umncedi, 1 Wodin Road, Cape Town.
We assist ECDs, Creches, Day Care's, Pre-Schools with useful information & resources gathered from other organisations, we share this information through Provincial WhatsApp Groups where we add ECD Forum reps/chairs who then share with their ECD networks.
30/07/2026
As promised, here are more details on the Kitso digital learning programme
To start the learning, follow these simple steps
1. Save the WhatsApp Number 076 593 7181 and/ or scan the barcode on the picture below
2. Text or message HI on the WhatsApp Number
3. Follow the instructions that will be sent via the number on WhatsApp
The pictures below have all the information you need, they have
the WhatsApp number, the barcode that you can scan, and what you can learn on the programme.
Save the pictures so you can have access to the WhatsApp number and barcode.
Happy Learning
Kitso is a FREE WhatsApp learning programme designed to help you ECD practitioners and centre owners build your skills. Through short, practical lessons, you'll learn about:
1. Digital leadership and Communication
1. Digital literacy foundations
2. Digital Financial management
3. Administration and Record keeping
4. Department of Education Registration and compliance
You can learn at your own pace and whenever it suits you,
Getting started is easy! Simply save the WhatsApp number 076 593 7181 on the poster, send "Hi", and begin your learning journey today.
If you have any questions or need support, send us a message, or leave a comment below we are happy to help!
Your voice matters. What should local government do to better support ECD programmes?
Through our listening engagements with Real Reform for ECD, we heard directly from ECD practitioners about the challenges they face and the support they need from their local municipalities.
In this video, they share just a few of the key priorities they raised, including:
• Health certificates without fees
• Water tanks for ECD centres
• The removal of unnecessary service charges
• Cleaner communities through the removal of dumping sites and an end to illegal dumping
• Safe, child-friendly toilets
• The removal of rezoning barriers
These are just a few of the many priorities shared during the engagements.
Now we would like to hear from you. As an ECD practitioner, what support would you like to see from your local municipality? Share your thoughts in the comments and help strengthen the conversation around better support for ECD.
06/07/2026
We have been listening to the voices of ECD practitioners !
As part of our partnership with Real Reform for ECD, we have been engaging with ECD principals and practitioners ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections.
Recently, we hosted four engagement sessions in KwaNobuhle and Kariega, where we met with representatives of 20-50 making up of nearly 200 ECD centres in total of all sessions. Together, we spoke about the challenges they face every day, including infrastructure, access to municipal services, registration and compliance.
These conversations are helping to shape an ECD Manifesto that will be presented to mayors, councillors and election candidates, calling for stronger support for young children and ECD programmes.
The journey does not stop here. An ECD Indaba will also bring together practitioners and election candidates to discuss these issues and work towards practical solutions for the sector.
A huge thank you to Real Reform for ECD for leading this important initiative, and to Masinyusane for hosting one of the sessions and generously providing books to ECD principals.
We might be in your municipality soon! If we visit your area, we would love for you to join the conversation and share your experiences.
Tell us in the comments:
Which area are you from?
What is one challenge your ECD programme is facing that you would like your municipality to address?
01/07/2026
Our second story reading session took us to Mzamowethu Educare in Mfuleni, where we spent the morning reading with enthusiastic children aged 2 to 5 years.
The story was shared in isiXhosa, making the experience even more engaging and enjoyable for the children. Together, we laughed, explored colourful illustrations, and encouraged the children to tell us what they could see in the books. Their excitement, curiosity, and imagination filled the room with smiles and giggles! 📚✨
We were also joined by parents and caregivers, where we shared the importance of reading with children every day, especially in their home language. Reading together helps children build language and vocabulary, and strengthen the bond between children and their caregivers.
Together with Book Dash, we shared a few simple tips to make story time fun and interactive:
📖 Read together every day, even if it's only for a few minutes.
🎭 Use different voices and expressions to bring the story to life.
👀 Talk about the pictures and ask children questions.
🗣️ Read and encourage children to participate in their home language
A big thank you to Mzamowethu Educare for the warm welcome, and to Book Dash for partnering with us to promote literacy and joyful reading experiences for young children.
📖
30/06/2026
Our first story reading session took us to Tiny Educate and Aftercare in Delft, and what a wonderful experience it was!
When we arrived, we were greeted by a group of shy little faces. But it didn't take long for the magic of story reading to bring everyone together. After an interactive story reading session filled with imagination, participation, and laughter, we ended our visit on our feet singing, dancing, and celebrating the joy of stories together! 🎶💃🕺
We were delighted to have parents and caregivers join us for the session. Together, we shared practical story reading tips on how to encourage children to actively participate in stories, both in the classroom and at home. We also highlighted the importance of reading and literacy and encouraged ECD practitioners, parents, and caregivers to make storytime and reading a daily part of children's routines.
One of the key messages we shared is that story time should be fun, engaging, and inclusive. Every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy stories, regardless of their language, reading ability, or level of confidence. By using different voices, songs, actions, and pictures, we can create storytelling experiences that welcome and include all children. ❤️📖
A heartfelt thank you to Tiny Educare and Aftercare for opening your doors and allowing us to spend this special time with your children, families, and practitioners. We are also grateful to Book Dash for this meaningful collaboration as we continue to explore how books can be used to support children's learning, language development, and love of reading.
What are your favourite story time tips? Share them with us in the comments below!
19/06/2026
Bringing books into homes, one story at a time.
Through a pilot partnership between Umncedi and Book Dash, ECD centres that received Umncedi Small Grants are also receiving a box of children's books for learners to take home and enjoy with their families.
Earlier this month, Umncedi and Book Dash visited ECD centres in Delft and Mfuleni to host story-reading sessions with parents and children. These sessions explored simple ways parents can use books to connect with their children, encourage a love of reading, and introduce books into everyday family life.
This pilot is helping us understand what meaningful resource distribution could look like alongside financial support for ECD programmes. We look forward to sharing lessons from this journey and contributing to conversations about strengthening quality early learning opportunities for young children across South Africa.
08/06/2026
These photos tell a story.
A story of ECD principals actively seeking information, resources, support and opportunities to strengthen their centres and better serve young children. 💪🏾
Our table at the City of Cape Town ECD Indaba was busy throughout the event, reminding us that there is still a huge demand for accessible information and practical support in the ECD sector.💡
Imagine if every ECD centre had one place to find the resources, connections, and guidance they need to provide quality ECD.🤔
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat, ask questions, and share their journey with us. 💙
We’re doing it again on the 30th of May will you be there? 😅 We can’t wait to see you!
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