Eyes on Africa

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — In the bustling township of Nellmapius in Pretoria, working parents often struggle to find reliable, quality childcare. In South Africa, townships are historically disadvantaged residential areas, initially created amid the racial segregation of Apartheid. One woman in Nellmapius has spent nearly two decades proving that excellent early childhood development doesn’t require expensive […]

This story was written by Shirley Govender. Govender is a community media publisher and managing editor behind three independent, hyper-local community publications in the south of Johannesburg: Globe Post, Orange Farm News and Walkerville & Savanna City Times. JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — In Orange Farm, a low-income settlement south of Johannesburg, Sophie Mantoa Motloung, 53, opened […]

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA  — The smell of soft porridge filled the air as children tumbled out of taxis and into the arms of teachers at Mshengu Learning Centre. It’s 6:30 a.m. in Nellmapius, a township in the South African capital city Pretoria, and another day of Ubuntu child care was beginning. Ubuntu, the deeply rooted […]

LENASIA SOUTH, SOUTH AFRICA — In the heart of Lenasia South, the poorest region in the city of Johannesburg, one early childhood center is proving that community-led education can raise the bar for safety, trust and developmental quality.  Wasalaam Nursery and Preschool was initially established in 1995 by a local couple. Today, it’s operated by […]

Discover how South African communities step in to provide child care where the state falters — explore these grassroots solutions now.