Ahead of South Africa's National Child Protection Week observed next week, Deb Zelezniak, the Chief Executive Officer of the Santa Shoebox Project says Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners are not babysitters.

They are trained professionals who safeguard a child's right to survive, thrive and grow into their full potential. ECD centres are frequently underestimated as simple drop-off points for working parents. But for the 1.7 million children attending them, these facilities are the first line of defence in protecting their rights.

To discuss this further is Deb  Zelezniak joining Peter Ndoro.

Ahead of South Africa's National Child Protection Week observed next week, Deb Zelezniak, the Chief Executive Officer of the Santa Shoebox Project says Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners are not babysitters.
They are trained professionals who safeguard a child's right to survive, thrive and grow into their full potential. ECD centres are frequently underestimated as simple drop-off points for working parents. But for the 1.7 million children attending them, these facilities are the first line of defence in protecting their rights.
To discuss this further is Deb &nbsp;Zelezniak joining Peter Ndoro.

Africa Rise & Shine

Rise & Shine

'ECD practitioners are trained professionals, not babysitters'

AVBOB and Oxford University Press in South Africa, have launched the 2025 Road to Literacy campaign, a nationwide initiative aimed at improving access to books and promoting literacy, numeracy skills in schools and by donating trolley libraries to non-profit organisations - NGOs.  The Department of Basic Education's recent report,  indicates that foundational reading literacy for Grade 3 learners in South Africa is low.  Sisi Segalo has more on the story

AVBOB and Oxford University Press in South Africa, have launched the 2025 Road to Literacy campaign, a nationwide initiative aimed at improving access to books and promoting literacy, numeracy skills in schools and by donating trolley libraries to non-profit organisations - NGOs. &nbsp;The Department of Basic Education's recent report, &nbsp;indicates that foundational reading literacy for Grade 3 learners in South Africa is low. &nbsp;Sisi Segalo has more on the story

AVBOB & Oxford University Press in SA launch the 2025 Road to Literacy campaign

The second group of South African soldiers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo returned home this Sunday as part of the phased withdrawal of SADC forces. After months in a volatile conflict zone that saw casualties and injuries, their return marks a significant moment for South Africa's peacekeeping mission. To help us unpack the significance of this withdrawal and what it means for South Africa's defence strategy,  Guy Martin, Editor of DefenceWeb and a leading analyst on military and security matters.

The second group of South African soldiers deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo returned home this Sunday as part of the phased withdrawal of SADC forces. After months in a volatile conflict zone that saw casualties and injuries, their return marks a significant moment for South Africa's peacekeeping mission. To help us unpack the significance of this withdrawal and what it means for South Africa's defence strategy, &nbsp;Guy Martin, Editor of DefenceWeb and a leading analyst on military and security matters.

 The 2nd group of SA soldiers deployed to the DRC return home

On the 'Round Up Wrap' segment of the show resident analyst Mighti Jamie discusses some of the stories highlighted earlier as well as throw forward to the week ahead....

TALKING POINTS

** The family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has agreed to return his body to Zambia, allowing government involvement in funeral planning. After stalled talks, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Archbishop Alick Banda helped broker the agreement. The family insists on a dignified, non-political ceremony. The Zambian government is still reviewing the conditions as discussions continue. What do you make of the controversy surrounding the burial of former President Edgar Lungu?

** Nigeria's Ogoni activists have rejected President Tinubu's posthumous pardon of nine activists executed 30 years ago, calling it inadequate. The "Ogoni Nine," including Ken Saro-Wiwa, were hanged after protesting Shell's pollution in the Niger Delta. The pardon was announced before Democracy Day on June 12. What message does the pardon send to activists fighting against environmental abuses in Nigeria today?

** The 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo ended with 176 projects worth $11.39 billion signed, marking a 45.8% rise in deals and a 10.6% increase in value from last time. Fourteen African countries, including Rwanda and Angola, held record trade exchanges during the event in Changsha, China. What do the growth in projects and investment value at the expo signal for China-Africa economic ties?

** Israel and Iran launched new attacks on Sunday, escalating a conflict that began last week, killing many civilians and raising fears of a wider war. US. President Trump said the crisis could be easily resolved but warned Iran not to target US. assets. Reports say Trump has also vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. What are the implications of the recent escalation between Israel and Iran for regional stability?

** Thousands of international pro-Palestine activists were blocked from reaching Egypt's Rafah border crossing during the Global March to Gaza, reportedly due to security concerns. The forceful dispersal and detention of protesters have sparked outrage among organizers. How could Egypt's response to the Global March to Gaza impact its relations with pro-Palestine groups and the international community?
 
** G7 leaders are meeting in the Canadian Rockies, with the Israel-Iran conflict set to dominate discussions. Host Canada aims to prevent clashes with President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted priorities including peace and security, critical mineral supply chains, and job creation. Meanwhile, US tariffs and the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are also expected to be key topics at the summit. What impact will the Israel-Iran conflict have on the G7 summit discussions?

On the 'Round Up Wrap' segment of the show resident analyst Mighti Jamie discusses some of the stories highlighted earlier as well as throw forward to the week ahead....
TALKING POINTS
** The family of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has agreed to return his body to Zambia, allowing government involvement in funeral planning. After stalled talks, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Archbishop Alick Banda helped broker the agreement. The family insists on a dignified, non-political ceremony. The Zambian government is still reviewing the conditions as discussions continue. What do you make of the controversy surrounding the burial of former President Edgar Lungu?
** Nigeria's Ogoni activists have rejected President Tinubu's posthumous pardon of nine activists executed 30 years ago, calling it inadequate. The "Ogoni Nine," including Ken Saro-Wiwa, were hanged after protesting Shell's pollution in the Niger Delta. The pardon was announced before Democracy Day on June 12. What message does the pardon send to activists fighting against environmental abuses in Nigeria today?
** The 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo ended with 176 projects worth $11.39 billion signed, marking a 45.8% rise in deals and a 10.6% increase in value from last time. Fourteen African countries, including Rwanda and Angola, held record trade exchanges during the event in Changsha, China. What do the growth in projects and investment value at the expo signal for China-Africa economic ties?
** Israel and Iran launched new attacks on Sunday, escalating a conflict that began last week, killing many civilians and raising fears of a wider war. US. President Trump said the crisis could be easily resolved but warned Iran not to target US. assets. Reports say Trump has also vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei. What are the implications of the recent escalation between Israel and Iran for regional stability?
** Thousands of international pro-Palestine activists were blocked from reaching Egypt's Rafah border crossing during the Global March to Gaza, reportedly due to security concerns. The forceful dispersal and detention of protesters have sparked outrage among organizers. How could Egypt's response to the Global March to Gaza impact its relations with pro-Palestine groups and the international community? &nbsp; ** G7 leaders are meeting in the Canadian Rockies, with the Israel-Iran conflict set to dominate discussions. Host Canada aims to prevent clashes with President Donald Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted priorities including peace and security, critical mineral supply chains, and job creation. Meanwhile, US tariffs and the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are also expected to be key topics at the summit. What impact will the Israel-Iran conflict have on the G7 summit discussions?

'ECD practitioners are trained professionals, not babysitters'

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