Nelson Mandela Foundation

Media Release: The Vangasali campaign aims to leave no child behind
From: Nelson Mandela Foundation
Date: 5 October 2022

The Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted President Ramaphosa for a walk-about at the Little Flower Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre in the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Authority. The Centre was built using some of the funds given by the President as part of a previous pledge to donate a portion of his salary to the Foundation. The engagement focused on promoting awareness of the importance of the early years of a child’s life.

The Vangasali campaign is spearheaded by the Department of Basic Education in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, with Impande SA and Data Innovators also as partners. Vangasali, which means 'No one left behind', aims to expand the registration of ECD services in the country through the roll-out of streamlined processes and a developmental framework which creates a pathway for the registration of all types of ECD services. The need for this was highlighted by the 2021 ECD census conducted by DBE which showed that 60% of ECD services are not registered. This means that the vast majority of sites fall outside of government’s system of oversight and support, and that ECD services in poor communities are unable to apply for a government subsidy. 

“While the Vangasali campaign introduces a more pro-poor approach to the registration of ECD services, some sites may still not be able to meet entry level requirements. For such sites, further intervention is necessary,” explains Chief Executive of The Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang. “Global evidence points to the benefits of investing in these early years, and the impact it can have not only for individuals but communities as well.”

Sites not meeting entry level requirements require intervention, which is what Phase 3 of the Vangasali campaign seeks to do through the mobilisation of resources. The Little Flower ECD Centre showcases the kind of intervention which can be undertaken during this phase by the private sector, philanthropic institutions, donors and other stakeholders. 

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Media Enquiries:
Morongwa Phukubye
morongwap@nelsonmandela.org
+27 71 445 1892