02/06/2026
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY: RBI’S FIRST ECD FUN DAY CHAMPIONS CHILD WELLBEING AND HOLISTIC LEARNING
Platinum Weekly newspaper | Rustenburg – In commemoration of Child Protection Month, the Royal Bafokeng Institute (RBI) proudly hosted its inaugural Early Childhood Development (ECD) Fun Day on Friday, 8 May 2026, at Luka Stadium, under the theme: “Our Children, Our Responsibility.”
The Fun Day brought together 467 children, alongside 12 ECD principals, 46 ECD practitioners, and 25 support staff members representing the 13 Royal Bafokeng Nation affiliated centres namely: Amusang ELC (Kanana), Boepatsopa and Ratanang ELCs (Thekwane), Joel Setshoane ELC (Chaneng), Kelokitso, Leragane and Rabothu ELCs (Luka), Leseding ELC (Tsitsing), Lwaleng ELC (Tlaseng), Mmakgopola ELC (Maile), and Retsogile and Semane ELCs (Phokeng).
Designed around the principles of child wellbeing and holistic development, the event highlighted the importance of creating safe, supportive and stimulating environments during the foundational years of a child’s life.
Children aged 2 to 5 years participated in a variety of structured, play-based learning activities including sorting exercises, crawling and hopping games, relay races, obstacle courses, bean bag throwing, musical chairs, and singing sessions. These activities demonstrated the value of purposeful play in supporting children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth, while also nurturing confidence, communication, teamwork, and coordination.
The programme was directed by ECD practitioner Amogelang Nameng form Semane ELC, and further provided a valuable platform for ECD practitioners and principals to exchange practical teaching methods, share experiences, and strengthen collaboration across affiliated centres. By making use of readily available play materials from their own centres, practitioners also demonstrated creative and sustainable approaches to early childhood learning.
According to the Rre Koenane Thakalekoala, RBI ECD Unit Manager, the initiative was designed to reinforce the shared responsibility of parents, educators, communities, and institutions in nurturing, educating, and protecting children, while simultaneously strengthening the quality and impact of early childhood development programmes.
As RBI’s first ECD Fun Day, the event marks the beginning of what the institutions envisions as an annual platform aimed at strengthening ECD collaboration, raising awareness about the importance of early childhood development, and encouraging key stakeholder participation in early learning.
As Child Protection Month continues, RBI remains committed to delivering impactful programmes that protect, empower, and nurture children, because safeguarding their future remains a shared responsibility for us all.
