8th of September 2025, marked a pivotal moment as the Director of Motheo Training Institute Trust, Mr. Rex Molefe, attended the prestigious National Launch of the Thrive by Five Index: 2024, held in Sandton.
The event was graciously opened by Ms. Kone Gugushe, Head of Social Investing at FirstRand, who extended a warm welcome to all participants, and thus setting the tone for a day of profound insights and urgent calls to action in Early Childhood Development .
The centerpiece of the launch was the presentation of the Thrive by Five Index Report by Ms. Sonja Giese, Executive of DataDrive 2030.
With meticulous detail, Ms. Giese elucidated the research methodology underpinning the index, unveiled the compelling findings of the Thrive by Five Index 2024, and painted a sobering picture of the current state of learning outcomes for children aged birth to 5 years in South Africa.
Despite glimmers of progress, the report starkly highlights the distressingly slow pace of improvement, underscoring an imperative for redoubled efforts towards universal access to quality ECD services.
The message resounded clear: for South Africa to thrive, its children must thrive, necessitating serious investment in Early Childhood Development.
The Honorable Siviwe Gwaruba delivered a powerful keynote address, stressing that the Thrive by Five study’s findings must catalyse action, synergising with initiatives like the Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive and aligning with the Department of Basic Education’s 2030 strategy.
The launch culminated with closing remarks by Ms. Simone Geyer, DBE Deputy General-Delivery and Support.
Motheo Training Institute Trust: Stepping Up to the ECD Imperative
In the context of the Thrive by Five Index 2024’s revelations, Motheo Training Institute Trust recognises the profound significance of this report in shaping its mission.
Motheo Training Institute Trust is resolute in intensifying its ECD training interventions, poised to address the critical gaps identified in the capacitation and training of ECD practitioners and educators.
Therefore, Motheo Training Institute Trust’s commitment to excellence in ECD training is more vital than ever, as it strives to contribute meaningfully to turning the tide on South Africa’s early childhood development challenges.
When and by empowering ECD practitioners with cutting-edge training and support, Motheo Training Institute Trust is dedicated to playing a pivotal role in ensuring that South Africa’s youngest citizens are equipped to thrive – because when children thrive, the nation thrives.
