ChildSafeSA is honoured to participate in the opening day of the Eastern Cape Education Provincial Indaba 2025, held at the ICC in East London. Convened under South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the Indaba brings together provincial leaders, educators, and civil society organisations to reimagine the future of Early Childhood Development (ECD) through the guiding principles of solidarity, equality, and sustainability.
From the outset, a consistent message has emerged: the health, safety, and psychosocial wellbeing of young children must be embedded at the heart of South Africa’s education strategy. ChildSafeSA’s contribution to this dialogue is clear and focused, Health Promotion and Injury Prevention are not optional; they are essential foundations for learning, development, and dignity.
One of the key ways ChildSafeSA advances this mission is through its ECD Safety Training Programme, which equips practitioners with the knowledge and tools to create safe, nurturing environments for children. The training covers critical areas such as injury prevention, emergency response, environmental risk assessment, and trauma-informed care. By embedding these practices into daily routines, ECD centres become spaces where children can explore, grow, and thrive without the risk of harm.
In addition to direct service delivery, ChildSafeSA plays a pivotal role in national policy advocacy, working to ensure that harm reduction and child safety are integrated into strategic frameworks. This includes influencing the National Strategic Action Plan for the Prevention of Violence Against Children (NSAAC), where ChildSafeSA has championed the inclusion of injury prevention as a measurable outcome. By bridging grassroots implementation with policy reform, ChildSafeSA ensures that child safety is practised and protected, resourced, and sustained.
As the Indaba unfolds, ChildSafeSA remains committed to building systems that protect and empower South Africa’s youngest learners. We look forward to engaging with stakeholders throughout the event to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up safe, supported, and ready to learn.