WHAT began as a dream to bridge the gap between Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners and higher education has now become a reality.

The Sivulithuba tertiary programme, a ground-breaking initiative led by Briardene organisation TREE (Training and Resources in Early Education) and Midlands Community College, has officially celebrated the enrolment of 50 fully funded students into UNISA’s Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).

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The idea was conceptualised in 2019, the pilot programme came to life in 2024, and now in 2025 funding has finally been secured to brighten the futures of 50 people.

The pilot programme named Sivulithuba, meaning “We are opening the doors”, was designed to do exactly that: create access for practitioners, many of whom had long believed that their journey in education ended with an NQF Level 4 qualification.

At a recent ceremony to celebrate the students and donors, TREE director Ruby Motaung said for years the lack of formal pathways and support left passionate people stranded – qualified by experience but blocked from further academic progress – but Sivulithuba changed that.

“The initiative was born out of listening. Practitioners voiced their fears of logging into online platforms they didn’t understand, of tackling academic writing after years out of the classroom, of feeling unworthy of a university seat despite years of real-world teaching experience,” she said.

The offering blended academic support, coaching, mentorship, and digital literacy to prepare practitioners not just for university entry, but for success.

“The success of Sivulithuba is a testament to perseverance, partnership, and belief. Conversations with universities across the country, North West University, University of Fort Hare, Rhodes University, University of Pretoria, and the University of the Western Cape eventually led to a partnership with UNISA. Along the way, support grew from key funders who helped bring the vision to life,” she added.

Seed funding from the DG Murray Trust got the ball rolling, followed by critical backing from the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust. The Tutuwa Community Foundation added further momentum, and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund stepped in to solidify the dream. Together, these organisations didn’t just fund a programme, they built a bridge to higher education.

“Now 50 ECD practitioners, most from rural and peri-urban areas, are fully enrolled and walking confidently into their futures. More than just students, they are symbols of what’s possible when potential is met with opportunity,” she added.

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