Real Reform for ECD Podcast

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We bring you the stories, struggles, and victories of those fighting for quality, inclusive early childhood development (ECD) services for all children. Powered and supported by a national movement of over 1,000 ECD practitioners, 300 organisations, and a powerhouse steering committee made up of 11 organisations, Real Reform for ECD is building a future where every child’s first six years of life is fully supported.  From policy to practice, advocacy to nutrition — if you care about children, community, and/or justice, this is the show for you. Join us — become a Real Reformer!

Episodes

  1. Legends of the ECD Sector: Aunty Pam & Mam' Ruby on Legacy, Love, and Early Learning

    07/23/2025

    Legends of the ECD Sector: Aunty Pam & Mam' Ruby on Legacy, Love, and Early Learning

    This is one not to be missed. In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, our host, Tshepo Mantje, sits down with two legends in the early childhood development (ECD) sector: Pam Picken and Mmatsetshweu Ruby Motaung—affectionately known as Aunty Pam and Mam' Ruby. Both having worked in the ECD sector for decades, they reflect on the seeds of their lifelong passion for young children, and the humble beginnings that shaped their activism. From stories of their childhood, to navigating apartheid-era divides, these trailblazers share their journeys of service, motherhood, and unshakable commitment to the struggle for holistic early learning.  We explore the urgent need for coordinated investment, and how a united sector can ensure South Africa’s recent R10 billion allocation to ECD truly transforms young lives and supports those who care for young children. Tune in to hear personal stories, powerful insights and wisdom, and a bold call to action to keep up the fight for holistic, well-funded, inclusive and quality ECD services for all children in South Africa. Find out more about the campaign on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.edcreform.org.za⁠⁠⁠ Follow the campaign X: ⁠⁠⁠@EcdReform⁠⁠⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠Real Reform for ECD ⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Real Reform for ECD⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter here: ⁠⁠⁠subscribe⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠rr4ecd@equalitycollective.org.za⁠⁠⁠⁠ Whatsapp: 071 233 0744 New here? Catch up on The Right to Nutrition Series where we explored the right to nutrition and the state's obligation that flows from this right, what constitutes adequate nutrition, and various implementation models that the government could use to ensure nutrition reaches every child attending an ECD programme.  In Season 2, we dive into the history of the movement, spotlight women in ECD leadership, and unpack the latest in ECD research and advocacy. If you care about children, community, and/or justice, this is the show for you. Join us — become a Real Reformer! Join the movement ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and subscribe to our newsletter ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.

    1h 13m
  2. ECD practitioners: The Heroes Behind the Movement

    04/22/2025

    ECD practitioners: The Heroes Behind the Movement

    Who cares for the people who care for our children? In this episode, we meet the real heroes behind the movement: ECD practitioners—our Real Reformers—who nurture, teach, and love young children every day. Despite their essential role in building a solid foundation for young children to thrive, they remain underpaid, under-resourced, and undervalued—especially by our government. With over 1000 practitioners in our network, Real Reform for ECD is advocating for them to be recognised for the essential work they do. What will it take to ensure that those who care for our youngest generation get the support they deserve? Listen in as they share their stories, struggles, and solutions. Hit play. This is a conversation we all need to hear. Find out more about the campaign on our website: ⁠⁠⁠www.edcreform.org.za⁠⁠ Follow the campaign X: ⁠⁠@EcdReform⁠⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠⁠Real Reform for ECD ⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Real Reform for ECD⁠⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter here: ⁠⁠subscribe⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠rr4ecd@equalitycollective.org.za⁠⁠⁠ Whatsapp: 071 233 0744 New here? Catch up on The Right to Nutrition Series where we explored the right to nutrition and the state's obligation that flows from this right, what constitutes adequate nutrition, and various implementation models that the government could use to ensure nutrition reaches every child attending an ECD programme.  In Season 2, we dive into the history of the movement, spotlight women in ECD leadership, and unpack the latest in ECD research and advocacy. If you care about children, community, and/or justice, this is the show for you. Join us — become a Real Reformer! Join the movement ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ and subscribe to our newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠.

    51 min
  3. Five Years of the RR4ECD Movement

    02/26/2025

    Five Years of the RR4ECD Movement

    Five years into the Real Reform for ECD (RR4ECD) movement, we sit down with Tess Peacock—founding member and Director of Equality Collective—for an insightful reflection on what it really takes to build a powerful, lasting movement. How do you sustain impact over time? What role does an active steering committee play in driving change? From the movement’s beginnings in 2020 to navigating the ECD function shift, organising through a pandemic, and uniting diverse coalition partners, Tess takes us behind the scenes of the challenges, victories, and lessons learned. We explore how Real Reform for ECD continues to honour the mandate of ECD practitioners, push forward key campaigns, and shape the future of early childhood development in South Africa. Join us for this deep dive into five years of activism, advocacy, and collective action! Find out more about the campaign on our website: ⁠⁠www.edcreform.org.za⁠ Follow the campaign X: ⁠@EcdReform⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠Real Reform for ECD ⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠Real Reform for ECD⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter here: ⁠subscribe⁠ Email: ⁠⁠rr4ecd@equalitycollective.org.za⁠⁠ Whatsapp: 071 233 0744 New here? Catch up on The Right to Nutrition Series where we explored the right to nutrition and the state's obligation that flows from this right, what constitutes adequate nutrition, and various implementation models that the government could use to ensure nutrition reaches every child attending an ECD programme.  In Season 2, we dive into the history of the movement, spotlight women in ECD leadership, and unpack the latest in ECD research and advocacy. If you care about children, community, and/or justice, this is the show for you. Join us — become a Real Reformer! Join the movement ⁠here⁠ and subscribe to our newsletter ⁠here⁠.

    45 min
  4. Implementation Strategies For Nutrition Support

    12/11/2023

    Implementation Strategies For Nutrition Support

    In this episode we are Joined by Kayin Scholtz and Dorlilo Kgadi. We talk through the research conducted on the implementation models that can be used by the DBE and the cost implications of this. Kayin has been the chair of the Rela reform for ECD movement for the past two years. We get insight into the evolution of the campaign and its role what the future could look like beyond. Find out more about the campaign on our website: ⁠www.edcreform.org.za⁠ Follow the campaign X: ⁠@EcdReform⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠Real Reform for ECD ⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠Real Reform for ECD⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter here: ⁠subscribe⁠ Email: ⁠⁠rr4ecd@equalitycollective.org.za⁠⁠ Whatsapp: 071 233 0744 New here? Catch up on The Right to Nutrition Series where we explored the right to nutrition and the state's obligation that flows from this right, what constitutes adequate nutrition, and various implementation models that the government could use to ensure nutrition reaches every child attending an ECD programme.  In Season 2, we dive into the history of the movement, spotlight women in ECD leadership, and unpack the latest in ECD research and advocacy. If you care about children, community, and/or justice, this is the show for you. Join us — become a Real Reformer! Join the movement ⁠here⁠ and subscribe to our newsletter ⁠here⁠.

    47 min
  5. Adequate Nutrition: A Pillar of Early Childhood Development

    12/01/2023

    Adequate Nutrition: A Pillar of Early Childhood Development

    In this episode of the Real Reform for ECD podcast, Tshepo Mantje interviews Jessica Ronaasen and Anna-Marie Müller - two researchers who worked on the second paper in Real Reform for ECD’s nutrition research series. This paper grapples with the question: what constitutes adequate nutrition for young children? They are joined by a special guest, Lashiwe Mparadzi - an ECD Principal and practitioner and a proud member of the Real Reform for ECD Steering Committee. Lashiwe contributes the powerful experience and perspective of ECD practitioners who face the challenge of nutrition provision in their centres on a daily basis. Building on the first episode which deals with the legal argument for a young child’s right to nutrition, this episode delves deeper into what food groups are necessary to constitute a nutritious meal and the tools that are currently available for practitioners, parents and caregivers to guide them on nutritious meals for their young ones. The researchers talk through their findings and recommendations of the research papers and finally, the episode closes off with a moment of reflection and gratitude for the ECD sector. Find out more about the campaign on our website: ⁠www.edcreform.org.za⁠ Follow the campaign X: ⁠@EcdReform⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠Real Reform for ECD ⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠Real Reform for ECD⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter here: ⁠subscribe⁠ Email: ⁠⁠rr4ecd@equalitycollective.org.za⁠⁠ Whatsapp: 071 233 0744 New here? Catch up on The Right to Nutrition Series where we explored the right to nutrition and the state's obligation that flows from this right, what constitutes adequate nutrition, and various implementation models that the government could use to ensure nutrition reaches every child attending an ECD programme.  In Season 2, we dive into the history of the movement, spotlight women in ECD leadership, and unpack the latest in ECD research and advocacy. If you care about children, community, and/or justice, this is the show for you. Join us — become a Real Reformer! Join the movement ⁠here⁠ and subscribe to our newsletter ⁠here⁠.

    48 min
  6. The State's Duty To Provide Basic Nutrition

    11/23/2023

    The State's Duty To Provide Basic Nutrition

    The legal perspective on early nutrition in young children. In this episode, we explore the complex and often overlooked relationship between legal systems and early childhood development. We talk to Tatiana Kazim and Yolisa Piliso, two legal researchers who have been studying the impact of laws and policies on children’s rights, well-being, and education in South Africa. They were the researches of the first legal paper that informed Real Reform for ECD's The Right to Nutrition campaign. We discuss how legal frameworks can either support or hinder the development of young children, especially in the areas of health and nutrition. We also look at some of the challenges on the ground with Nonhlanhla Dzingwa, an ECD practitioner who paints a picture of the realities faced by ECD centres in townships and informal settlements when providing nutrition. Tshepo, our host, makes it clear that there is a need for more evidence-based and collaborative advocacy and policymaking. Join us for this practical and inspiring conversation about the law and the little ones. Find out more about the campaign on our website: www.edcreform.org.za Follow the campaign X: ⁠@EcdReform⁠⁠  Facebook: ⁠Real Reform for ECD ⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠Real Reform for ECD⁠ Subscribe to our newsletter here: ⁠subscribe⁠ Email: ⁠⁠rr4ecd@equalitycollective.org.za⁠⁠ Whatsapp: 071 233 0744 New here? Catch up on The Right to Nutrition Series where we explored the right to nutrition and the state's obligation that flows from this right, what constitutes adequate nutrition, and various implementation models that the government could use to ensure nutrition reaches every child attending an ECD programme.  In Season 2, we dive into the history of the movement, spotlight women in ECD leadership, and unpack the latest in ECD research and advocacy. If you care about children, community, and/or justice, this is the show for you. Join us — become a Real Reformer! Join the movement ⁠here⁠ and subscribe to our newsletter ⁠here⁠.

    51 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

We bring you the stories, struggles, and victories of those fighting for quality, inclusive early childhood development (ECD) services for all children. Powered and supported by a national movement of over 1,000 ECD practitioners, 300 organisations, and a powerhouse steering committee made up of 11 organisations, Real Reform for ECD is building a future where every child’s first six years of life is fully supported.  From policy to practice, advocacy to nutrition — if you care about children, community, and/or justice, this is the show for you. Join us — become a Real Reformer!

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