The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, was in Protea Hotel Midrand on December 1 for the launch of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Outcomes Fund, held under the theme Partnership with Purpose.

Gwarube launched the Education Outcomes Fund, an innovative R496m financing solution to accelerate access to quality ECCE across South Africa.

The fund has mobilised public, private, and philanthropic capital to scale high-impact early learning programmes, strengthen provider capacity, and improve learning outcomes for children aged 0–five years.

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The launch marked a major milestone in South Africa’s effort to strengthen early childhood care and education. The fund represented a renewed commitment to expanding equitable access, improving programme quality, and supporting early learning across diverse communities.

Gwarube delivered a powerful call to action, reminding the country that the future of South Africa began long before a child entered Grade 1.

She shared the story of two 10-year-olds whose lives diverged because of unequal access to stimulation and care in their early years, urging government, partners, and communities to help rewrite these early stories and ensure every child entered school ready to thrive.

She affirmed that the fund was more than a programme.

“It was a commitment to closing inequality gaps, strengthening early learning centres, professionalising practitioners, and expanding access to safe and nurturing learning spaces.”

Ida Thyregod from the LEGO Foundation praised South Africa’s leadership in outcomes-based approaches that prioritised real learning and the power of play. Nomsa Muthaphuli from the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust called for stronger sector-wide coherence and intentional transformation.

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Miléna Catellnou from the Education Outcomes Fund reflected on the years of collaboration and shared ambition that brought the initiative to life, highlighting the strength of the partnership between government, philanthropy, community organisations and impact investors.

With nearly half a billion rand mobilised and over 100 000 children set to be reached, South Africa reinforced its global leadership in early childhood development.

Two panel discussions explored how innovation, collaboration and outcomes-based financing could transform ECCE. The first featured government and donors, and the second brought together implementing partners, evaluators and investors.

Both conversations underscored that meaningful impact in early learning required strong partnerships, robust data systems, adaptive learning and a shared commitment to putting young children first.

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