In the recently delivered Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a 5.6% annual increase in funding for basic education. This investment will be put towards improving educational outcomes through initiatives such as piloting a nutrition programme in early childhood development (ECD). While Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project, welcomes this, she stresses that more needs to be done to address the unique challenges faced by the ECD sector.
She advocates for increased engagement with the women who head up ECD centres in shaping policies and decisions, emphasising that their involvement is essential to driving meaningful reform in the sector. “This will enhance the quality of education that they in turn provide and empower the country’s citizenry.”
“These efforts must be accompanied by the reclassification of ECD practitioners as teaching professionals,” Zelezniak insists. “Currently, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) considers ECD teachers self-employed, depriving them of career stability and undermining their role in foundational education. Moreover, they rely on the ECD grant which not only means they receive meagre salaries but are also denied access to benefits such as medical aid subsidies and housing allowances which are enjoyed by teachers permanently employed by the Department.”
“Upskilling educators is another critical element in advancing the sector, especially with close to half of practitioners lacking formal training or qualifications,” she points out. “While many ECDs function primarily as safe spaces for children while their parents work, it’s crucial that they offer more than safety—they must provide a solid educational foundation as well. This need is highlighted by the fact that only 10% of South African primary school teachers believe most children are developmentally ready for school, with a lack of early childhood education being a contributing factor.”
“South Africa’s ECD reform hinges on listening to the educators at its core. True educational progress begins by valuing those who teach and care for our youngest learners,” concludes Zelezniak.
About the Santa Shoebox Project
Traditional Santa Shoebox: Over the last 18 years, 1 226 756 Santa Shoeboxes, each containing eight specified items of treats and essentials, have been given to underprivileged and socially vulnerable children throughout South Africa and Namibia. From 01 September each year, Santa Shoebox donors choose their beneficiary child/ren by name, age and gender and are given the child’s clothing size. Each personalised shoebox reaches the very child for whom it was pledged.
Virtual Santa Shoebox: These shoeboxes are purchased online by donors and are available year-round, meeting the needs of donors who live too far from drop-off points, are too busy to shop or have health issues. Components are chosen by the donor on the Santa Shoebox website, the shoeboxes are packed by the Santa Shoebox Team and delivered to children attending far-flung rural facilities. A VSS contains the eight specified items, as well as additional items, such as a lunchbox and books, and costs R450 plus an optional delivery fee of R30.
SSP Legacy: All Santa Shoebox Project operating costs are covered by corporate sponsors. Privately donated funds and surplus funds generated by the sale of Virtual Santa Shoeboxes accrue to the SSP Legacy and are used to bring permanent change to the lives of Santa Shoebox beneficiary children and the impoverished communities in which they live. SSP Legacy initiatives have thus far reached more than 95 000 children.
Fiduciary information: As a Level One Contributor to B-BBEE, the Santa Shoebox Project earns 100 points on the generic scorecard, and with Section 18A status, is able to provide a tax-deductible receipt in recognition of donations. The Project is an initiative of the JOG Trust (IT2671/2009). The Trust is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO-930031301), a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 102-098) and holds a current ICPR in support of 100% SED compliance.
