JOHANNESBURG, Thursday 15 October 2026 — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA have outlined proposals to improve support for early childhood development (ECD) centres in Johannesburg after practitioners raised concerns about water shortages, municipal compliance requirements and inadequate infrastructure ahead of the 4 November local government elections.
Representatives of the parties participated in the Make Local Government Work for ECD imbizo, organised by the Real Reform for ECD Movement.
The engagement brought political representatives and early childhood development practitioners together to discuss how municipal policies affect the operation of centres caring for young children.
Practitioners raise municipal service concerns
The Real Reform for ECD Movement said municipal service delivery failures were making it difficult for centres to operate and comply with regulatory requirements.
Movement chairperson Mandla Nkosi highlighted prolonged water interruptions, missing municipal records and land-use requirements that practitioners considered difficult to meet.
The movement has presented demands to Johannesburg’s mayoral candidates, seeking commitments to address obstacles affecting the sector.
Practitioners argue that municipalities have an important responsibility to ensure centres can operate in safe environments with access to essential services.
The movement wants political parties to address these concerns in their local government programmes.
EFF proposes infrastructure and nutrition measures
The EFF called for improved infrastructure in informal settlements to support early childhood development centres.
The party proposed formalising informal townships to facilitate the provision of basic services.
It also suggested that Johannesburg employ nutritionists and dietitians to support children’s nutritional needs.
The EFF further proposed digital monitoring systems to track children’s development.
Johannesburg mayoral candidate Tlaleng Mofokeng said the state had a responsibility to ensure that children had access to water, sanitation, nutrition, shelter and education.
The proposals form part of the party’s response to concerns raised by ECD practitioners.
ActionSA calls for changes to municipal compliance approach
ActionSA said Johannesburg should adopt a more supportive approach towards centres struggling to comply with municipal requirements.
The party argued that centres should not be penalised for circumstances arising from the municipality’s own service delivery failures.
It proposed allowing reasonable opportunities for centres to meet regulatory requirements.
ActionSA also called for water tanks to be provided to ECD facilities affected by supply interruptions.
The party said municipalities needed to create conditions that allowed early childhood development centres to operate effectively.
Early childhood development enters election debate
The engagement places early childhood development among the service delivery issues being raised directly with Johannesburg’s mayoral candidates.
Although education policy is primarily administered through national and provincial government structures, municipalities influence the operation of ECD facilities through infrastructure, land-use planning and local service delivery.
The Real Reform for ECD Movement wants political parties to make specific commitments that can be assessed after the elections.
The proposals presented by the EFF and ActionSA have not yet been adopted as municipal policy.
Attention will now turn to whether Johannesburg’s political parties incorporate the practitioners’ demands into their election programmes and future municipal governance plans.
