Building Futures Through Learning
We work across vulnerable township communities, with education forming a central pillar of our impact strategy.
Our education approach is grounded in holistic, integrated development, recognising that learning outcomes are closely linked to health, economic stability and environmental sustainability. As such, education initiatives are delivered alongside healthcare and green‑economy programmes to address the systemic barriers that often limit access to quality learning and employment opportunities in township communities.
A key focus in our work is addressing gaps in Early Childhood Development (ECD). In response to the shortage of quality early learning provision, we prioritise the training and professional development of ECD practitioners, as well as the upgrading and strengthening of township‑based schools. These interventions aim to improve teaching quality, learning environments and long‑term educational outcomes.
Through our integrated model, we build stronger foundations for learning, improve access to opportunities, and contribute to sustainable socio‑economic development in the communities we serve.
Practitioner Training
We equip ECD practitioners with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver quality early learning. Our training pathways include:
- ECD Accelerator (Unaccredited): An introductory, practical programme designed to strengthen foundational ECD skills.
- NQF Level 4 (Accredited): A comprehensive qualification for ECD practitioners responsible for daily teaching and care.
- NQF Level 5 (Accredited): A leadership‑focused qualification aimed at centre managers, supervisors, and emerging ECD leaders. These programmes build professional confidence and promote consistent, high‑quality early childhood practice.
Registration & Compliance Support (Bana Pele Partnership)
Rhiza is an official DBE Associated Partner in the Bana Pele ECD Registration Drive. We support ECD centres on their registration and compliance journeys through:
- guided navigation of departmental processes
- safety and operational assessments
- resource or financial support where possible. Our goal is to help ECD centres meet the standards required for formal registration and compliance, enabling them to unlock the DBE subsidy, which strengthens their long‑term sustainability.
ECD Business Training
We support ECD centre owners to run their centres with a strong business mindset. Training covers:
- financial management in partnership with Experian
- HR and staffing
- marketing and parent engagement
- fundraising and resource mobilisation. Delivered in partnership with the Change the Game Academy (CtGA), this programme helps ECD owners build resilient, well‑managed centres.
Side Hustle Programme (Income Diversification)
This programme helps ECD centres strengthen their financial stability through income diversification. Through coaching and mentorship, ECD owners:
- assess existing resources
- identify and design viable side‑hustle opportunities
- develop and grow additional revenue streams
The ECD centre remains the primary focus, with side businesses supporting its sustainability. Participants also receive fundraising training and may qualify for match‑funding opportunities with the CtGA based on income generated.
Youth Development & Specialised Services in ECD
We strengthen the ECD ecosystem by training youth for specialised support roles while expanding access to services for children. Youth are trained in one of three pathways:
- Play Facilitation: Addressing childhood trauma through intentional play‑based psychosocial support.
- Early Tech Facilitation: Introducing learners to coding foundations and digital literacy through unplugged, age‑appropriate activities such as pattern recognition and problem‑solving.
- Impact‑Based Content Creation: Developing storytelling and literacy‑focused content, reinforcing ECD concepts in home languages for improved understanding and absorption. This creates meaningful youth employment while enriching learning opportunities for ECD children.
Education Strategy
Rhiza’s education strategy fits into its mission to fight poverty, unemployment, and inequality by providing:
Access to quality
early education
Skills training
for youth
Career
pathways
Support structures for educators and educational institutions