Note to Editors: Please find a soundbite from DA MPL Khathutshelo Rasilingwane MPL here.
Over 100 children have been denied access to a state-of-the-art Bantu Bonke Early Childhood Development Centre in Three Rivers, Vereeniging due to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and Department of Social Development failing to take responsibility for the transfer and ownership of this facility. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s urgent intervention to ensure the issue is resolved and children are not disadvantaged.
According to GDE MEC Matome Chiloane, this centre was not part of the facilities transferred to the GDE during the ECD shift. He claims that the agreement with Social Development was that once the building is completed and all the requirements for occupation are in place, it will be transferred to GDE, however, to date the facility has not been transferred to GDE. While on the other hand, Social Development MEC, Faith Mazibuko says that the transfer was done in 2022. The MECs were responding to the DA questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
This contradiction between two departments, who are supposed to be partners in supporting the early development of our children, is not simply a matter of miscommunication; it reflects that government departments are working in silos. This also shows that there is a lack of oversight over departmental projects.
During his 2025 State of the Province Address (SOPA), Premier Panyaza Lesufi said, “One of the key changes is to embrace Early Childhood Development (ECD) as part of the basic education system … We continue to make steady progress in ensuring all ECD centres are compliant and fully registered.” The revelations of the Bantu Bonke Centre show that this commitment was nothing but just another lie.
As each day passes without these departments finding a resolution to this impasse, children needing early childhood development services in this rural part of Three Rivers continue to face a growing sense of uncertainty and frustration as they struggle to access resources.
Based on previous experience, the longer completed projects remain unoccupied they become vulnerable to vandalism, theft and illegal occupation.
Furthermore, the DA will write to Premier Lesufi seeking clarity on which department is responsible for this facility and demanding that he fast-track the occupation and utilisation for the benefit of our children.
A DA-led Gauteng Provincial Government would ensure that the handover of functions from the Department of Social Development to GDE becomes a reality that benefits the children of Gauteng and not just empty talk. This handover will also include the transfer of resources to GDE to ensure that children are prepared for their transition to school.