Basic Education Minister, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, continued her commitment to creating safe, supportive, enabling learning environments, and celebrated National Book Week, by visiting schools and an Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre in the Western Cape Province on 10 September 2026.

At Lentegeur High School, she conducted a school safety oversight visit and engaged with the Matric Class of 2026, as they prepare for the final stretch of their school journey.

She then proceeded to the Little Prince and Princess Daycare Centre where she handed over a trolley library containing 500 reading books for young learners in partnership with AVBOB, giving children an opportunity to discover stories, develop language and build a love of reading from an early age. Minister Gwarube said that “the reorientation of the Basic Education system places a strong focus on strengthening the foundations of learning. This starts with quality ECD and ensuring that our youngest learners have the resources they need to thrive”.

At the Spine Road High School, she conducted another school safety oversight visit, engaging with the school community on the importance of maintaining safe and secure learning environments. “From the earliest years of a child’s development to the final year of schooling, we must continue investing in our learners and creating the conditions for them to reach their full potential. We thank AVBOB for partnering with us in building a stronger culture of reading,” Minister Gwarube concluded the engagements.