The Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, will officially open an ECDC in the village of Bolotwa, eDutywa - Eastern Cape. The new ECDC is a fulfilment of a promise made in 2011 by Minister Dlamini to build an ECDC for that community after she found children learning from a makeshift centre not suitable for learning.
The centre which is run by a group of dedicated women was started by the late No-Manage Cecilia Mcetywa who saw the need for early childhood development in her village. Unregistered and not receiving support from government when they started, the women were determined to give their children a good early start. They approached a nearby church which had a small shack to start their centre.
Touched by their dedication when Minister Dlamini visited the centre in 2011, she promised to build a well-equipped ECDC for the community. The centre will open its doors to 60 children under the age of four and has the capacity to take up to 120. It also has facilities for disabled children.
The official opening of the ECD centre is part of Project Mikondzo which was launched by the Minister in September last year. Mikondzo is a service delivery model which aims to bring Social Development services closer to communities.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the official opening which will be scheduled as follows:
Venue: Bolotwa Sports Ground, eDutywa
Date: 5 May 2014
Time: 11h00
Media can RSVP with Mr Jaconia Kobue on 073 026 1111 or JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za
or Mr Sizo Gwarube on 082 366 8034 or Sizo@sassa.gov.za; sizogw@gmail.com
