Pre-schoolers from informal settlements in Khayelitsha had fun at OR Tambo Hall on Tuesday after the ward councillor bought them R20 000 of play gear, including balls, jumping castles and educational toys.
It was an action-packed day of sports and entertainment for some 200 children from about 20 pre-schools.
The equipment was paid for out of councillor Monde Nqulwana’s ward allocation budget.
He said the ward had plenty of activities and programmes for senior citizens, the disabled, youth and women, but not for some of his smallest constituents.
The councillor said it was time to see the little ones from some of the poorest communities in Ward 89 have fun-and there were certainly plenty of activities to keep them amused on the day.
“This is great exposure for them because they have no playing spaces in the informal settlements. We bought R20 000 equipment for them to have a chance to play.
“This is another way to create active minds too,” he said, adding that teaching children good values from a young age ensured they grew into active citizens and good leaders.
The pre-schools, he said, would now take turns to use the new equipment, which would be kept safe in the hall.
Thandiswa Ngcwangu, the principal of Zamulwazi Educare in RR informal settlement, thanked the councillor, parents and ward committee members for making the event a success.
Ms Ngcwangu said the children had enjoyed the day, as they had no space to play in RR. “They were lively, playful and had fun.
“But the most important thing I have noticed is that children easily interact with others even if they are strangers to them.
“You could see they are happy to be with others,” she said.