A staggering 47% of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in South Africa are still without essential services such as piped water, electricity, and flushing toilets.
This neglect poses not only severe health risks for children but also undermines their overall developmental outcomes. While the government has committed a record R210 million to upgrade these centres over the next two years, the reality on the ground remains grim as basic infrastructure continues to lag behind.
Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project, has raised the alarm about the potential ramifications of this infrastructural crisis. “We risk undermining the lifesaving power of handwashing unless urgent steps are taken to ensure access to clean, safe water in early learning spaces,” she warns.
The statistics are startling: poor hand hygiene can lead to dangerous illnesses such as diarrhoea and respiratory infections, which are among the leading causes of death for children under five in South Africa. Zelezniak notes that simple handwashing with soap can decrease the incidence of these diseases by up to 40% and 25%, respectively, highlighting just how essential this basic practice is for child health.
However, the issue of water access transcends health concerns; it is intricately tied to a child’s cognitive and social development. Research indicates that inadequate water and sanitation facilities significantly hinder cognitive, language, and motor skills, resulting in long-term educational and developmental setbacks. “This is not just a public health issue, it’s a matter of dignity and the country’s future,” Zelezniak asserts.
Despite ongoing efforts to register and improve ECD centres, many facilities find themselves caught in a vicious cycle. “Centres that can’t afford the water and sanitation improvements needed for registration are locked out of the very funding that could help them upgrade,” Zelezniak explains. Without access to these essential upgrades, many facilities are left relying on unreliable sources such as rainwater tanks, boreholes, or public taps, none of which can ensure consistent safety or quality.
Non-profit organisations, including the Santa Shoebox Project, are taking steps to remedy this situation by renovating centres and promoting better hygiene practices. However, Zelezniak asserts that systemic changes must occur for real progress to be made. “Supporting ECD owners to meet registration standards must be a national priority,” she insists, emphasising that access to water should be a right, not a luxury.
“No child should fall sick or die simply because there was no water to wash their hands.”
