Parents from across Nkomazi came together on September 18 for the first-ever Do More Foundation Parents Indaba to learn more about early childhood development (ECD).

The meeting, held at the RCL Training Academy in Malalane, welcomed more than 70 parents of young children from the area. It was a momentous and historic occasion, as the event marked the first time the Do More Foundation had hosted a parents’ indaba since its founding in Nkomazi in 2017.

The organisation was established to help develop and enhance ECD. The foundation’s CEO, Warren Farrer, highlighted the important role that quality early learning plays in a child’s life. “Children learn through play, and it’s extremely important to ensure they are learning correctly from a young age. We strive to do our part by helping vulnerable communities,” he said.

“We identified early on that children learn and grow in two places – at school and at home,” Farrer added. “Our hope is to help educate parents about ECD so that they can raise and teach their children effectively at home, too.”

The event carried particular significance in light of the recent Thrive by Five Index report, which notes that while progress is being made in some areas, parent and caregiver involvement remains a critical gap in improving child development outcomes. The indaba aims to address this by equipping families with the knowledge and tools to better support their children’s development from their earliest years.

While the Do More Foundation started with humble beginnings in Nkomazi, it has since expanded to communities across the country. It has reached phase three of its project roll-out in Nkomazi and now positively impacts the lives of 3 110 children in 12 villages: Block A, Phiva, Mdladla, Langeloop, Boschfontein, Magogeni, Schulzendal, Middelplaas, Driekoppies, Buffelspruit, Schoemansdal and Jeppes Reef.