A love for reading can open the door to learning, imagination and opportunity, and building this foundation from an early age is an important part of supporting children on their educational journey. As National Literacy Month drew to a close, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) brought this message to life at Boys and Girls Youth Africa (BGYA) Preschool in Diepsloot, Gauteng, on 29 September 2026, where young learners, educators, community members and partners came together to celebrate the importance of early literacy and quality Early Childhood Development (ECD).
The celebration brought together the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, Gauteng MEC for Education, Mr Lebogang Maile, Miss South Africa, Ms Qhawekazi Mazaleni, representatives from AVBOB, the BGYA Preschool community and young learners. At the heart of the event was a shared focus on creating meaningful learning opportunities and ensuring that children have access to books and supportive environments that encourage them to learn, explore and develop with confidence.
For the BGYA Preschool, this commitment to early learning has been part of its journey since its establishment in 2016. Founder and Centre Manager, Ms Emma Mathola, reflected on the centre’s contribution to early learning, noting that 470 learners between the ages of two and six have benefited from its programme. She highlighted the importance of nurturing confidence from an early age and supporting children as they develop into healthy, confident and responsible citizens.
This focus on creating strong foundations was reinforced through the contributions of the event’s partners and speakers. Ms Kebo Mosweusweu, General Manager: Shared Value and Sustainability at AVBOB, highlighted the role that partnerships can play in strengthening literacy, education and community development. The organisation’s support for initiatives that expand access to books and learning resources reflects the importance of collaboration in creating environments where young learners can develop a lasting relationship with reading.
The importance of ensuring that these opportunities are accessible and relevant to learners was also emphasised by Miss South Africa, Ms Qhawekazi Mazaleni. Drawing on her experience as a qualified speech therapist, published children’s book author and Master’s scholar at the University of Pretoria, Mazaleni highlighted the value of mother-tongue literacy and culturally relevant reading materials. She encouraged greater access to African-language literature so that young learners can engage with stories and learning in languages and contexts that are familiar to them.
Building on this message, Gauteng MEC for Education, Mr Lebogang Maile, reaffirmed the province’s commitment to strengthening foundational literacy, ECD and support for learners with special educational needs. He also emphasised the important role of teachers and accessible learning resources in creating meaningful educational experiences for learners.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Gwarube placed early learning at the centre of efforts to strengthen foundational education. She emphasised the importance of early intervention and ensuring that children are exposed to books, play, learning and other developmental opportunities from their earliest years.
A significant highlight of the celebration was the handover of a trolley library containing 500 books, donated by AVBOB. The celebration concluded with Minister Gwarube and Miss South Africa reading to the Grade R class, offering a fitting close to National Literacy Month.