07/09/2026
MEDIA RELEASE
NDA AND ESKOM PARTNERSHIP DELIVERS LEARNING AND TEACHING SUPPORT MATERIALS TO 28 ECD CENTRES IN THE EASTERN CAPE
_R1,6 million initiative will support 1 034 children in Cala and surrounding villages _
Cala, Eastern Cape, 7 September 2026- The National Development Agency (NDA) and Eskom today began handing over learning and teaching support materials (LTSM), valued at R1,6 million, to 28 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Cala, within the Sakhisizwe Local Municipality. On the first day of the handover programme, 12 ECD centres received materials that will support the physical, mental and emotional development of children before they advance to formal schooling. The full initiative will benefit 1 034 children in Cala and surrounding villages.
The handover gives practical expression to the ECD component of the partnership between the NDA and Eskom. The partnership contributes to efforts to eradicate poverty by supporting civil society organisations (CSOs) to improve their growth and sustainability. The working relationship between Eskom and the NDA began in 2013 and was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February 2025.
The support materials cover focused developmental and learning areas, including gross and fine motor development, fantasy play, reading, tabletop activities and ring activities.
The partnership is guided by a joint Programme Steering Committee and combines the mandates, resources and capabilities of the NDA and Eskom to support community-based development. Through the MoU, both parties jointly identify and implement interventions that address the needs of poor and vulnerable communities.
The materials will help beneficiary centres deliver ECD programmes and strengthen foundational learning and child development, especially in communities with limited access to educational resources.
“This handover demonstrates what can be achieved when the public sector and corporate social investment institutions combine their strengths in support of community development. Through our partnership with Eskom, and in collaboration with the Sakhisizwe NPO Forum, we are investing in the capacity of Early Childhood Development centres to provide children with an improved foundation for learning and development,” said Mrs Nokulunga Skeyi, NDA Provincial Manager in the Eastern Cape.
Under this MoU, Eskom supports the NDA in identifying and assessing NPOs in need. It also provides resources, subject to available funds, and assigns representatives to support the project management team. The NDA mobilises CSOs and identifies eligible NPOs for support. It also provides capacity building and grant funding within approved plans and budgets, allocates expertise and resources and monitors project performance.
Through these complementary responsibilities, the parties combine the NDA’s experience in CSO development and community mobilisation with Eskom’s corporate social investment contribution and focus on sustainable development.
“Our collaboration with the NDA reflects our commitment to supporting sustainable initiatives that make a meaningful difference in communities. Providing learning and teaching support materials to these 28 ECD centres is an investment in early learning and in the organisations that serve children and families at community level,” said Mr Sive Rabaza, Cala Senior Supervisor, Eskom Cape Coastal Cluster.
The partnership MoU spans all provinces and is currently active in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. The most recent handover took place in Khayelitsha in June 2026, where 31 ECD centres received support.
The handover programme in and around Cala will continue at beneficiary ECD centres until 11 September 2026. Deliveries over the next four days will reach centres in villages including Manzimdaka, Upper Mnxe and Cacadu, completing the cycle of support to all 28 ECD centres.
Today’s proceedings brought together representatives of the 12 receiving ECD centres, Sakhisizwe Local Municipality Mayor Boniswa Phonoshe, Ward 5 Councillor Lulama Thulelo, NDA Eastern Cape Provincial Manager Mrs Nokulunga Skeyi, Eskom Cala CNC Senior Supervisor Mr Sive Rabaza, and Sakhisizwe ECD Forum Chairperson Mr Xolile Veldtman.
Welcoming guests, Councillor Thulelo acknowledged the challenges of unemployment and poverty in the area and emphasised the value placed on education by the community. “There are many ECD centres here, which shows that people value education. Centres that look after children are necessary in society,” she said.
Mr Rabaza said the initiative represented more than the delivery of materials. “This handover is not just about handing over materials. It is an investment in children and in laying a foundation for lifelong learning in stimulating and exploratory environments. This partnership is allowing us to achieve that,” he said.
The Sakhisizwe ECD Forum acknowledged its long-standing relationship with the NDA, which dates back to 2015 and has included interventions such as the training of ECD practitioners. “We would not have met Eskom if it were not for the NDA,” the Forum said.
Mr Rabaza commended the 28 centres for their tenacity in meeting the requirements that made them eligible to receive the materials.
Mrs Nolwandle Gwagubani, a teacher at Nosiseko Pre-School, together with representatives of Eyethu Pre-School and Bright Future, thanked the funders and committed to safeguarding the materials. The beneficiaries also appealed to the Mayor for permanent sites, noting that their current sites are temporary. Mayor Boniswa Phonoshe acknowledged the contribution of both the NDA and Eskom in supporting government, and the municipality in particular, by providing resources that will help nurture future leaders in Cala.
ENDS
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
National Development Agency - Lesego Ranchu 073 547 2800/ [email protected]
Eskom - Siya Thom 071 004 3175/ [email protected]
