On 4 June 2025, Inceba Trust hosted a stakeholder engagement event at La Motte in Franschhoek, bringing together changemakers across government, the private sector, civil society and academia. The event focused on the vital role of collaboration in strengthening Early Childhood Development (ECD) across the Western Cape.
“It takes a village to raise a child, especially when there are so many children growing up in broken family structures amidst absent fathers, poverty, violence and trauma,” said Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg, founder of Inceba Trust. “At Inceba Trust we take hands with ECD centres, staff, parents and caregivers to nurture hope and raise up the next generation well-equipped to start their school career. But we can do so much more through partnerships.”
“Through collaboration with various stakeholders, we must give our children the best possible start to life, so that they can share in our province’s prosperity. Everything we do as the Western Cape Government is aimed at equipping our children with the skills and support they need for success,” said Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde in a video message.
“Equitable access to quality early childhood care and education requires a whole-system response. Strong government systems are necessary; however we must consider the broader ecosystem, including social factors, cultural norms, knowledge and beliefs, the environments in which children and families find themselves, and the vital contributions of non-state actors, such as non-government organisations and businesses,” said Nicole Biondi, ECD advocate and founder of The Wayfindery.
Hein Koegelenberg, Chief Executive Officer of La Motte and Leopard’s Leap Wines said, “The private sector innovates, empowers and employs. To ensure that this contribution will outlast the current generation and leave a legacy, we need to raise a generation of skilled and capable adults who play a positive role in our communities. We have to start right at the beginning, ensuring that children are supported during their formative first five years. This is not only a charity’s job; it is our responsibility.”
Mariza Lubbe, Director of Compliance and CSI at Remgro agreed, “From the perspective of Remgro and the broader corporate sector, we see investment in ECD not just as a philanthropic endeavour but as a strategic investment in our future workforce and our country’s economic growth.”
“Global research shows that access to quality ECD programmes improves academic performance, increases employability, and reduces crime, substance abuse and teenage pregnancies. This has significant economic value. For every R1 invested in quality ECD, there is a R13 return in long-term savings,” said Prof Eric Atmore, Director of the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD).
During the Inceba Trust event, it was clear that there is growing momentum in the Western Cape for stakeholders to work together and, in doing so, build a strong foundation for every child – and a better future for South Africa.
To learn more or get involved, contact Inceba Trust at info@incebatrust.co.za.