Women develop children in Early Childhood Development Center in Pimville

As Women’s Month comes to an end, Soweto Urban visited an Early Childhood Development Centre, Thari Ya Bana, in Pimville Zone 5, Soweto. The centre, which is run predominantly by women who serve as educators and caregivers, reflects the power and influence of women in the community and the important role they play in developing future leaders.

“Thari Ya Bana is a direct translation of ‘carrier for children’, and that is exactly what we aim to do with the centre: carry the children from the community, develop them, prepare them for the foundation phase and instil the necessary skills,” said Martha Setlaba, principal of Thari Ya Bana.

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Speaking to *Urban News*, Setlaba shared that running the centre as a woman is not easy, but it is fulfilling. She said she goes to sleep peacefully knowing that she is making a difference every day and helping to build future leaders.

Educator Rose Peter said the role of women in early childhood development is pivotal, explaining that early childhood centres are often looked down upon, despite the important foundation they provide for children to flourish later in their schooling journey.

Another educator, Kamogelo Maleka, said: “It feels great knowing that, as a young woman, I am making a difference in my community.

“Times have changed, and we are now able to work and contribute to society and are no longer suppressed. Although we are still looked down on and doubted, knowing what I do and how much of a difference it makes assures me that I am on the right path.”

Setlaba said challenges are inevitable, with one of the centre’s biggest challenges being that it is not always taken seriously.

She explained that some people view the centre as merely a place that looks after children, without recognising that the educators are developing them holistically and preparing them for the next phase of their education.

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She said community members are often convinced of the centre’s value once they visit and see how it operates daily.

On the positive side, Setlaba said she takes pride in running a centre led predominantly by women, with one male caregiver and qualified female educators.

Setlaba invited members of the community to attend the centre’s open day on October 10 at Thari Ya Bana, where they will have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive insight into the centre and its work.