Hundreds of children from pre-schools around Gugulethu gathered at the NY49 Stadium on Friday 17 March for a fun day.
The event was organised by Gugulethu Early Childhood Development (ECD) Forum.
At least 47 pre-schools joined the festivities.
Gugulethu ECD Forum deputy chair and principal of Mathabo Educare Centre in Barcelona Martha Makura described the event as a sports day and an annual event. She said the aim is to keep the children active. “We want to develop the children holistically. We also granted children, together with the teachers, an opportunity to socialise.”
The event was tailored specifically for children between the ages of two and six years.
However, according to Makura, ECD practitioners were disappointed by the levels of support the sector is receiving from the government.
“The event was supposed to be held on Friday 7 March. But because of the bad weather, we had to postpone it to today (Friday 17 March). We didn’t get everything we were supposed to.
“They provided us with only two jumping castles, aside from the stadium. We used to have a sound system, hula hoops, scooters and other apparatus,” added Makura.
Andisiswe Fongo, a teacher at Luyolo pre-school in NY126, described the event as exciting.
She said it assisted the children with their physical and mental development.
“Sports help the children develop their minds. It also assists them in improving their language skills because they communicate with one another.”
Fongo said the event was a significant one for the children. She urged the parents to support their kids all the time.
