Seven Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Hawston and Zwelihle received much-needed assistance in becoming compliant with the necessary regulations in order to provide a safe educational space for young learners.
In a statement Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB) stated that the company became aware of the dire need among seven ECDs in Zwelihle and Hawston to be registered with the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) through the Rotary Club Newlands (RCN) and their network in Hermanus.
“These ECDs were falling short of compliance requirements and critically, accessing funding available to operate as a much-needed community support service,” said a spokesperson for CCPB.
“As a committed partner and supporter of education development initiatives in the Western Cape and Northern Cape, Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB) spent Friday 31 May, making a difference to the communities of Hermanus.”
Teams of volunteers from CCPB and the Rotary Clubs of Newlands and Hermanus spent Friday visiting four ECDs in Zwelihle and three in Hawston. These centres, said CCPB, look after 225 children in total. The centres were given sleeping mats, first-aid kits, signage for the centres, and fire-safety equipment.
“We responded to a call for help from the Enlighten Education Trust through our philanthropy partners at Rotary Club Newlands via their Rotary counterparts in Hermanus.
“There were several unregistered Early Childhood Development (ECD) facilities in and around Hermanus that needed support to register and be accredited with the WCED and we assisted them in bridging the gaps through much needed funding,” said Priscilla Urquhart, Head of Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability at CCPB.
‘A difference that matters’
In recent years, CCPB has invested in several ECD and education projects that have enriched and empowered these communities in areas such as Riebeek Kasteel, Prince Alfred Hamlet, Atlantis, Kommetjie, Khayelitsha and Vredendal to name a few.
“This strategy of investing in the children of our future speaks to our purpose of refreshing communities and making a difference that matters,” Urquhart added.
The Enlighten Education Trust, an organisation based in Hermanus, strives to improve every aspect of education in the Overstrand region through teacher upskilling and direct services to children.
While enhancing teaching skills remains a core focus, the Trust takes a “whole child” approach by integrating academic basics like literacy and numeracy with creative arts programmes that allow learners to find and nurture their talents. They also actively engage parents as partners so they can reinforce the learning happening in the classroom.
“As the official Social Services Organisation for WCED in the Overstrand area, Enlighten Education Trust supports 72 ECD centres, with only 29 currently registered,” said Rodney Nissen, Project Manager of Enlighten Education Trust.
“Many unregistered centres struggle to meet local by-law requirements for registration. We identified seven ECD centres in need of compliance upgrades to apply for WCED registration with support from the Hermanus Rotary Club. These centres lacked the required Fire and Environmental certificates after assessments by local authorities.
“The CCPB funding has provided the listed upgrades, allowing these seven centres to meet safety standards and pursue registration,” explained Nissen.
