- Raising Awareness: CECD’s marathon team, including notable figures like Jimmy Nevis and Bridget Kahts, aims to highlight the importance of early childhood education in South Africa.Direct Impact:
- Funds raised will directly support training programs, resource provision, and on-site support for educare centres across the country.
- Ongoing Advocacy:The CECD continues to push for better policies and funding for early childhood development, with a national conference and more events planned for later in the year.
A group of 40 runners, including Jimmy Nevis, Natalie Maimane and the Centre for Early Childhood Development’s Operations Manager, Bridget Kahts, are gearing up for the Two Oceans Half Marathon aiming to raise much-needed funds for the CECD.
This initiative hopes to raise awareness of the vital importance of early childhood education and tackle the ongoing challenges facing the sector in South Africa.
The CECD, headquartered in Claremont, has been working for over 30 years to support over 600 educare centres.
Their mission spans a range of services including advocating for better policies, training teachers, and providing hands-on support to centres. However, as Kahts explains, the work is far from easy. “As a sector, we face significant challenges. There is not enough political will to truly support early childhood development. We often have to push our agenda through social justice and advocacy units to ensure that our voice is heard.”
This year, the marathon is just one of the many efforts that CECD is using to help raise funds, educate the public, and continue to push for policy change.
The funds raised will directly support CECD’s programmes, such as training for teachers, supplying essential resources to educare centres, and providing ongoing support to ensure children have access to the best possible early learning opportunities. “The money we raise through initiatives like this marathon will go toward packages and on-site support for the educare centres we work with,” says Kahts. “We have a direct impact on the communities we serve, and these funds are crucial for us to continue our mission.”
CECD’s work, while critical, is not always easy. With the lack of sufficient funding and government support, Kahts and the team are constantly working to bridge the gap. “We’re in a constant struggle to make sure our work gets the attention it deserves. Early childhood education is essential for shaping the future of our children, but it’s not always seen as a priority,” says Kahts. “We hope that by raising awareness through events like the Two Oceans Marathon, more people will recognize the importance of investing in our young children’s future.”
The marathon runners, many of whom have become ambassadors for the cause, will also spread awareness about the significance of early childhood development.
Kahts, who will be running alongside Nevis, sees this as an opportunity to not only raise funds but also educate the public about ECD. “The more people understand what ECD means and why it’s so crucial, the more support we can gather for the children and educators who need it the most,” Kahts says.
“This is about building a better future for all of us. When we invest in young children, we invest in the future of our country.”
Through public events like the Two Oceans Half Marathon, CECD aims to engage the community and raise awareness about the importance of ECD. Kahts believes that while the sector faces ongoing challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need to invest in young children’s education. “It’s crucial that we all take responsibility for supporting early childhood development. These are the children who will shape the future, and we need to ensure they have the best foundation possible.”
Later this year, CECD will be hosting a national ECD conference, further highlighting the need for better policies, resources, and support for the sector. However, as Kahts stresses, much of this work is contingent on the funds the organisation can raise. “Everything we do depends on the support we receive. If we are to continue our advocacy work, run training programs, and provide resources to educators, we need the funding to make it happen,” she says.
As the group of runners prepares for the race, Kahts emphasises that this is just the beginning. “The Two Oceans marathon is an important event, but our work doesn’t stop there. We’re committed to supporting children, families, and educators every single day. The more we can raise awareness and funds, the better we can serve the communities that need us most,” says Kahts.
To support CECD’s fundraising efforts during the Two Oceans marathon, visit https://www.givengain.com/campaign/support-our-ttom2025-charity-runners.
