In honour of Mandela Day, SASKO’s Siyasizana Play Better initiative reached a major milestone — upgrading 1,000 playgrounds at Early Childhood Development centres and primary schools across South Africa, creating safe, engaging play spaces for more than one million young children. The milestone was celebrated at Ikaneng Combined School in Soweto, where a symbolic 1,000-slice loaf was shared to reflect Nelson Mandela’s vision for a better South Africa and the vital role education and play have in every child’s development.
The initiative, launched in 2023, addresses stark inequalities in access to age-appropriate play facilities, which research shows remain unavailable for more than 60 % of young children in many communities. Through partnerships with government, community organisations, and volunteers, the programme brings dignity, hope, and opportunity to underserved areas — reinforcing the idea that every child deserves not only to learn, but to play.