TURFFONTEIN – Valentine’s came early for Cotlands children when reigning Miss SA Ziphozakhe Zokufa (22) shared delicious heart-shaped chocolates on Wednesday February 11.
She interacted with children who, previously, had no access to early childhood development opportunities. Miss SA’s visit was part of her Valentine’s celebration.
“We are proud to have Miss SA take time out of her busy schedule to share the love with children in our early learning programme. Miss SA and Sun International have had a long-standing relationship with Cotlands, and we are pleased to see this relationship continue,” said Cotlands communications manager Lois Moodley.
Before reading a story to the children, Miss SA took a tour of Cotlands to better understand its new model of care and the needs of children in South Africa.
“Education is very important, especially for children. I’m glad to see what Cotlands is doing in this community and for the fact that they are not only based here, they are in other provinces. I had a fun time with the children; we interacted and I read stories to them, thanks to Cotlands,” said the Eastern Cape-born Miss SA.
Cotlands recently embarked on an innovative non-centre-based early childhood development programme. The non-profit received a silver nod in the Impumelelo social innovation awards, for its breakthrough in the early learning space.
“It is vital that children below the age of six are given access to a wide range of play-based activities. Because children learn through play, Cotlands believes that these early learning playgroups lay the foundation for all later learning,” added Moodley.
Cotlands is a non-profit early childhood development organisation addressing the education and social crisis by establishing early learning playgroups and toy libraries in poor communities to serve vulnerable children aged from birth to six.