New Early Childhood Development Centre brings hope to children in rural Northern Cape community

Maruping Village, Northern Cape, 18 May 2026 – In the rural settlement of Maruping Village, approximately 15km from Kuruman near Kathu, a brand-new Early Childhood Development (ECD) building is opening its doors to some of South Africa’s most vulnerable children – offering not only safe classrooms and upskilled teachers, but also dignity, opportunity and hope for the future.

The newly completed Reaiteka Pre-School is the result of a powerful partnership between the Santa Shoebox Project (SSP) Legacy (the socio-economic development arm of the 20-year-old children’s charity), the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD), Breadline Africa, and Kathu Solar Park. All of these partners are united by a shared belief that every child deserves access to quality early learning opportunities, regardless of where they are born.

A safe learning space for 64 children

Until recently, many of the 64 learners enrolled at the centre, all aged three to five years, were being taught in overcrowded and unsuitable conditions. While 38 children were accommodated in two prefabricated classrooms funded through the Kathu ECD Project, run by CECD and supported by Kathu Solar Park, another 26 children attended classes in a rusted corrugated iron structure that became unbearably hot in summer and freezing during winter. Kathu Solar Park also funded the building of a toilet block to replace pit latrines in 2024.

Now, thanks to R900 000 in additional development funding, the children and teachers of Reaiteka Pre-School will soon have access to a brand new brick and mortar building, and improved learning spaces designed for a safer, more nurturing and stimulating environment during the most critical years of childhood development.

“This project is ultimately about restoring dignity, creating opportunity and investing in the future of children who deserve every possible chance to thrive,” says Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project.

Reaiteka Principal Vivian Kilelo says the centre currently accommodates 64 learners, with three teachers, three teaching assistants, two kitchen workers, and a gardener.

“The upgraded ECD centre will make a huge difference because we can now separate the children by age group and teach them in a safe, proper classroom instead of a shack. This means better learning conditions, a more structured learning environment, and more space for each child,” says Kilelo.

The impact of collective effort

Zelezniak says this kind of impact work requires a collective effort, and this is why SSP Legacy is proud to partner with other credible non-profits to assist under-resourced communities.

The Reaiteka project marks the first collaboration between SSP Legacy, CECD, Breadline Africa and the Kathu ECD Project, supported by Kathu Solar Park.

Sarah Atmore, ECD Infrastructure Project Manager at CECD, which has been working in the Kuruman-Kathu region for three years, says this upgrade was well-deserved by the Reaiteka centre’s dedicated staff. “This team has always gone above and beyond to offer young children in their community the best quality start in life, despite tough circumstances”.

For Warren Povey, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Breadline Africa, the real magic of the project is that “this incredible partnership shows that ubuntu is alive and well in South Africa”. “It’s just special to be involved in this project for the long-term with other committed partners.”

Atmore adds that the project team are “people who get things done”.

Beyond just infrastructure

Atmore says this infrastructure upgrade would also see the existing corrugated iron structures repurposed as an indoor-outdoor activity space for art, water play and messy play. “One of the best things about this project is that the facilities serve multiple purposes, and it’s a space that the staff can be proud of.”

Importantly, the project extends beyond just pure infrastructure development. Reaiteka Pre-School is one of 27 ECD centres on the Kathu ECD Project, funded by Kathu Solar Park, where centres receive comprehensive support by CECD in partnership with Africa A+ Schools. As part of this project, Reaiteka Pre-School’s teachers and leadership team are also receiving professional development support, including training in teaching and learning strategies, and leadership and governance support. In addition, the school has received new educational resources, first aid training, fire and health equipment, and assistance with the Department of Basic Education registration processes, achieving conditional registration status.

Sandisiwe Mntonintshi, SED Manager at Kathu Solar Park, says: “We are proud to support ECD initiatives, as investing in young children is investing in the future of our communities. This financial assistance reflects our commitment to improving access to quality early learning opportunities, strengthening educational foundations, and creating an environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive. We aim to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of children, families, and communities”

Atmore adds: “The staff have taken every opportunity to improve their skills, to improve what they’re able to offer to the children, and so it’s special to create a far safer and a far more conducive environment for early childhood development.”

A turning point for the school community

For Kilelo, her staff, and the Maruping community, the new building represents a turning point.

“Before, we were teaching in a shack with limited space and resources. The main challenges were overcrowding, lack of proper facilities, and difficulty separating the children by age. It made it hard to give each child the attention they needed,” says Kilelo.

“We thank our partners for their support. We truly appreciate the work you do for our children… giving them a chance to learn in a proper environment.”

Building a legacy of early learning and development

The Reaiteka Pre-School forms part of SSP Legacy’s broader mission to create sustainable, long-term impact in vulnerable communities across South Africa. While the organisation is widely known for delivering personalised Santa Shoebox gifts to children each festive season, many people are unaware that its Legacy programme also funds and supports the building and upgrading of remote ECD centres, as well as teacher training and reading corners nationwide.

Over the years, SSP Legacy has helped reach more than 180 000 children through these initiatives. Reaiteka is its eighth school construction project since 2006. Other builds took place in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Research* consistently shows that quality early childhood development programmes with a strong focus on reading pleasure significantly improve children’s cognitive, emotional and educational outcomes, while helping break cycles of poverty and inequality.

The Reaiteka Pre-School project stands as a reminder that even in some of the country’s most remote communities, hope can be built – one partnership, one classroom, one child at a time.

Note* to editors on the research:

1. 1. A 2024 UNICEF report has found that the years from birth to five are critical for a child’s long-term health, development and wellbeing. Several randomised controlled trials have found that when children from disadvantaged backgrounds attend high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC), they are better prepared for starting school, with better cognitive development and more academic skills. Long-term, they achieve higher educational qualifications and higher job earnings. They also have a reduced likelihood of involvement in the criminal justice system.
2. 2. A 2024 research paper from the Dublin City University found that literacy or language-specific ECEC curricula resulted in improvements to children’s cognitive abilities, pre-academic skills, and overall outcome.
3. 3. A 2022 UNESCO report found that the period from birth to eight years old is one of remarkable brain development for children and represents a crucial window of opportunity for education. When children are healthy, safe and learning well in their early years, they are better able to reach their full developmental potential as adults and participate effectively in economic, social, and civic life. Providing Early Childhood Care and Education is regarded as a means of promoting equity and social justice, inclusive economic growth and advancing sustainable development.

About the Santa Shoebox Project

Traditional Santa Shoebox: Over the last 20 years, more than 1.35 million Santa Shoeboxes, each containing eight specified items of treats and essentials, and other goodies, have been given to underprivileged and socially vulnerable children. From 1 September each year, Santa Shoebox donors choose their beneficiary children by name, age and gender and are given the child’s clothing size. Each personalised shoebox reaches the very child for whom it was pledged, tracked by QR code, and can include a heartwarming personalised note from the donor to the child.

Virtual Santa Shoebox: These shoeboxes are purchased online by donors and are available year-round, meeting the needs of donors who live too far from drop-off points or are unable to get to the shops. These shoeboxes are purchased on the Santa Shoebox website, packed by the Santa Shoebox Team and delivered to children attending far-flung rural facilities. A VSS contains the eight specified items, as well as additional items, such as Book Dash books, and costs R500 plus an optional delivery fee of R30. Donors can also opt to include Subz Reusable Sanitary Pads in their boxes.

SSP Legacy: Under its SSP Legacy arm, the organisation also does impactful work in transforming existing and establishing new Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in rural communities across South Africa. This work also includes training for ECD teachers and establishing reading corners in ECD centres to improve children’s cognitive, behavioural, language, fine motor skills and social-emotional development. While all the Santa Shoebox Project’s operating costs are covered by corporate sponsors, private donations and surplus funds generated by the sale of Virtual Santa Shoeboxes accrue to the SSP Legacy, thus far reaching more than 180 000 children

Fiduciary information: As a Level One Contributor to B-BBEE, the Santa Shoebox Project earns 100 points on the generic scorecard, and with Section 18A status, is able to provide a tax-deductible receipt in recognition of donations. The Project is an initiative of the JOG Trust (IT2671/2009). The Trust is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO-930031301), a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO 102-098) and is 100% SED compliant.

About Breadline Africa

Breadline Africa, we believe that every child deserves a safe place to dream, play and learn. For over 30 years, we have worked alongside communities across Southern Africa to transform early childhood development through partnerships, infrastructure and compassion. Our efforts align with the National Development Plan, the Nurturing Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our approach is collaborative, community-led and informed by evidence. We believe the most powerful change happens when we listen deeply, partner with intent and act with heart.

About the Centre for Early Childhood Development

The Centre for Early Childhood Development is a non-profit organisation established in 1994, with the vision to create a society that puts young children first, meaning that there are quality ECD services across South Africa, so that all children can grow and develop to their full potential. We firmly believe in the transformative power of ECD to reduce societal inequality, and as such our mission is to provide opportunities and support to children, breaking the cycle of poverty, and reducing inequality in South Africa. For more information about CECD please visit: www.cecd.org.za.

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