Photo: Catherine MullerPut children like me first.
I have big dreams for when I grow up. Help me to make them come true by giving me a safe place to learn, play and grow.
This is an invitation to collective action, to co-create any solutions that transcend any organisation or actor.
Photo: Catherine MullerWe have a unique window of opportunity to achieve a dream of universal access to quality learning. We must act with urgency.
Photo: Catherine MullerWe should all come together to raise the child. When a child leaves home, he or she should grow up surrounded by people who love him or her.
If we are serious about building a just and cohesive South Africa, we must begin with our children. Their wellbeing is not the responsibility of families alone, but of all of us. When we come together across sectors, communities, and traditions to invest in every child’s dignity, learning, and flourishing, we strengthen the very foundation of our common future. Ithemba -liyaphilisa.
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We have already joined the movement to put children first.
A strong start begins with us.
Every child deserves the chance to learn, play and thrive. Yet over one million children in South Africa still lack access to quality early learning; the foundation for success in school and life.
Bana Pele means “children first”. We unite government, business, civil society, practitioners, families and communities to make affordable, quality early learning available to every child who needs it by 2030. Our 2026 Leadership Summit, themed “From Blueprint to Movement,” brings us together to turn this shared ambition into action.
A stronger start builds a stronger South Africa. Whether you’re an individual or an organisation, bring your ideas, skills and resources. Join the movement. Together, let’s put children first.
One shared Blueprint. 23 actions. A role for all of us.
Making quality early learning a reality for every child takes coordinated action. The Bana Pele shared Blueprint sets out 23 priorities to expand access, improve quality and strengthen the support around children, families and early learning practitioners.
From mobilising funding and creating safe learning spaces to connecting practitioners and strengthening community support, these actions give our movement a practical way forward. We invite you to explore the actions, find where you can contribute and work with others to turn our shared ambition into lasting change.
Prime
Beginning the Journey
8 of 8 actions in motion
Engage
Enabling Early Learning at Scale
3 of 6 actions in motion
Support
Nurturing Early Learning at Scale
1 of 5 actions in motion
Sustain
Responding to Emerging Needs
1 of 4 actions in motion
2030
Affordable, quality early learning for every child who needs it
Toolbox
Help bring Bana Pele into your workplace, organisation and community. Our Toolbox offers resources to share our story, show your commitment to putting children first and invite others to join.
From digital banners and posters to the Blueprint booklet; the available tools will help us speak with a shared voice and build momentum for quality early learning.
Every conversation can bring someone new into the movement. Let’s start one.
Join the Movement
Every contribution counts.
Tell us who you are and how you would like to contribute. Funding, skills, time, resources or connections all make the difference.
48We have already joined the movement to put children first.