Hundreds of children from various Early Childhood Development centres (ECDs) in Khayelitsha converged at False Bay College near the Look Out Hill, to celebrate World Play Day on Friday 30 May.
The day is celebrated annually on May 28 to commemorate International Toy Library Association and is more of an attitude of connecting generations through play than a day of scheduled or planned events.
The event was organised by Sikhula Sonke organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides quality early childhood development training and support to the parents, caregivers and pre-school teachers in the informal settlements of Khayelitsha.
At least 34 ECDs attended the event, with the City of Cape Town’s library mascot LiBee engaging and playing with the children.
The event organiser Babalwa Ndim- Momoti said the event gives the children an opportunity to socialise and explore different activities. She described it as a free play event. “We have various games for the day which include jumping castle, painting, soccer, fantasy play, racing etc. Children are allowed to move freely under the supervision of their teachers. We have our stakeholders (the police, the City officials, traffic officers from Khayelitsha, officials from Sassa and Home Affairs Department etc) who are going to have a dialogue with the parents,” she said, adding that playing is part of children’s growth.
Ndim-Momoti said Sikhula Sonke runs various programmes in the community.
Stepping Stone Educare principal Nosikhumbuzo Tomsana from Khanya Park described the event as a special day for children.
She said Sikhula Sonke introduced their children to a different space. “Most of our children are not used to such an environment because most of the time they are crammed in a small space in our creches. Now they can run around playing different games. There are a lot of toys which some of them we don’t have,” said Tomsana, adding that it was the third time she attended the event.
Parent Nandy Ngcebetsha, from F section in Khayelitsha, praised the organisers for hosting such an event. “The children are so excited. They enjoy playing with each other and different games. The teachers are doing a great job taking the children out,” she said.
Ngcebetsha urged parents to listen and support their children.
Lingelethu-West Police Station spokesperson Sgt Xoliswa Nyalambisa said their job is to ensure that the children are safe and protected. “We are encouraging the parents to look after their children. We are appealing to the parents to stop protecting the perpetrators. If the uncle or any family member is suspected of rape or did any wrongdoing to a child it must be reported to the nearest police station. The family must stop discussing it as a family matter,” said
Nyalambisa.
