The Mandela Day Campaign Bringing the Gift of Play to 675 South African ECD Centres

Photo Credit: Do More Foundation

The DO MORE FOUNDATION and Kids Collab are coming together this Mandela Day to bring the magic of outdoor play to young children in 675 ECD centres across South Africa – because play isn’t just a break from learning; it’s part of it!

South Africa (13 July 2026) – Every child deserves the chance to run, jump, climb, balance, throw, catch and explore. Yet for many of the young children attending under-resourced early childhood development (ECD) centres in South Africa, access to quality outdoor play equipment and practitioner facilitation remains limited.

But this will be changing for children at 675 under-resourced ECD centres from this Mandela Day!

The DO MORE FOUNDATION and Kids Collab will be joining forces for a “67 Minutes of Play” campaign. This initiative’s aims are twofold: to raise public awareness about the importance of outdoor play for young children’s development, and to bring the joy of movement to young children at the selected ECD centres.

Each ECD centre will receive a Move & Play kit, which is packed with practical resources including colourful cones, balls, beanbags, chalk, and a parachute that enrich group play for up to 50 children.

And because equipment alone is not enough, ECD practitioners will also be supported with printed guides, in-person training, and ongoing communication to help build children’s motor and cognitive skills through outdoor play.

The Foundation recognises that ECD practitioners and caregivers are a crucial part of creating conditions for young children to thrive. This is why upskilling them in how to use new materials makes for a more effective learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom.

“ECD practitioners need to understand the purpose of each resource, how to use it appropriately, and how to integrate it into daily teaching activities. During training, we demonstrate learning outcomes for practitioners through fun because even adults learn through play. Once trained, they can use the play kit intentionally to develop language, cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and creative skills,” shares Dipo Mhlongo, National Programmes Trainer at the DO MORE FOUNDATION.

From August, young children in these ECD centres will be exposed to active, engaging outdoor play experiences every day, rather than only on special occasions.

Jessica Ronaasen, Advocacy and Innovation Manager at the DO MORE FOUNDATION, emphasises the benefits of incorporating play from the start of a child’s life, stating that research consistently shows that children learn most effectively through play, building both knowledge and the skills they need in their everyday world.

The “67 Minutes of Play” campaign, modelled after Kids Collab’s Play Parks programme, creates opportunities for children to participate in fun, professionally designed physical activity sessions that support growth and development through play.

The programme uses engaging games and movement activities to help children develop the foundational skills needed for lifelong learning, health and wellbeing.

“Too often, play is viewed as a break from learning or a reward once the ‘real work’ is done. But for young children, play is learning. It is one of the primary ways they make sense of the world, develop relationships, solve problems, and build the foundations for future learning and wellbeing,” explains Whitney Richardson, Director of Kids Collab.

“67 Minutes of Play” is a collectively-owned-and-powered ecosystem that brings together donors, ECD practitioners, parents, development organisations and local partners around a shared goal: helping young children thrive.

Because when we invest in play, we invest in healthy bodies, confident minds and brighter futures for South Africa’s next generation. When children have the space, tools and support to move, explore and discover, they are free to do what they do best: learn through play!

To support the “67 Minutes of Play” Mandela Day campaign, click here.