Latest news with #ECD
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Constitutional rights for children: An urgent call for early childhood development in South Africa
The right to development must be understood holistically and is a legal entitlement rooted in international law. Access to early learning, nutrition, healthcare, responsive caregiving, safety, social services and play are not optional services, but are entitlements that enable children to survive, thrive, and participate fully in society. South Africa cannot claim to uphold children's rights while the foundations for early childhood development (ECD) — the most critical phase of human development — remain legally invisible. Despite a growing budget and increased political support, the country's youngest six million citizens will continue to be deprioritised without a justiciable right to ECD. This was the challenge a powerful group of legal minds and ECD champions confronted head-on at the Right to ECD Symposium hosted by the Real Reform for ECD movement in Johannesburg. The Symposium brought together ECD practitioners, law and policy experts, and seasoned ECD advocates in a powerful show of collective commitment to one goal: confronting the legal vacuum at the heart of ECD delivery. The keynote address by Associate Professor Noam Peleg, an expert on children's rights and development, grounded the discussions in international law. He urged South Africans to rethink the legal framing of childhood. He argued that children should not be seen merely as future adults but as full rights-holders in the present. He called for the full recognition of the right to development, from zero to 18 years as understood in international law, with ECD recognised as a critical foundation for the realisation of that right. Peleg's core message was that the right to development must be understood holistically and is a legal entitlement rooted in international law. Access to early learning, nutrition, healthcare, responsive caregiving, safety, social services and play are not optional services, but are entitlements that enable children to survive, thrive, and participate fully in society. No enforceable right to ECD While South Africa's Constitution protects several of these elements individually, there is no express unified and enforceable right to ECD. Further, the absence of a legally binding, cross-sectoral legislative framework weakens accountability and undermines coordination on service delivery. Roles remain poorly defined across departments, responsibilities shift without consequence, and systemic failures are often left unchallenged unless civil society steps in to advocate. These are not theoretical concerns but have urgent real world impacts. Despite the welcome political shift by the government to significantly increase the ECD budget to more than R10-billion, the allocation remains inadequate to achieve universal access. Moreover, without legal and regulatory reform, policy commitments concerning universal access will not be achieved. Presenting a proposed framework for constitutionalising the right to early childhood development, Nurina Ally (Director of the Centre for Law and Society at the University of Cape Town) and Tatiana Kazim (Research Associate at the Centre for Law and Society) argued that the South African Constitution, interpreted in light of international law, implicitly includes an umbrella right to early childhood development, holistically understood, as well as a number of component rights (the spokes of the umbrella): rights to early learning; adequate nutrition; good health; responsive caregiving; rest, leisure and play; and opportunities to participate in cultural life. Both the umbrella right and each of the components, or spokes, also entail corresponding duties on the part of the state, families, and service providers. Importantly, the overarching umbrella right entails duties of coordination and funding on the part of the various government departments implicated in ECD service delivery, such as the departments of Basic Education, Health, and Social Development. However, a constitutional right to ECD has not yet been widely recognised in South Africa, either in civil society, the courts, or in the government. The failure to recognise such a right is evident in existing legislation and policies, and has serious consequences for the ECD sector and for young children. Legal clarity is necessary for enforcement as well as accountability. Consequences of legal gaps The consequences of the legal gaps are felt throughout early childhood development services. Among many other issues, departments work in silos, children between birth and two are neglected, parents are inadequately supported, nutrition support is inadequate, and health policies do not speak to the National Integrated ECD Policy. Many ECD programmes are locked out of public funding due to outdated planning laws, inflexible infrastructure norms, burdensome registration requirements, and the lack of a qualified and well-trained ECD workforce. While incremental reforms — such as amending the Children's Act, revising municipal bylaws, and easing regulatory requirements — are necessary, they are insufficient. While we strongly support these reforms and call for the Department of Basic Education to table the Children's Amendment Bill in Parliament this year, we also urge it to commit to a longer-term law reform strategy, as outlined in its own ECD 2030 Strategy. What we need is a bold shift: recognition that the Constitution protects an umbrella right to early childhood development, which encompasses the full essential package of ECD services. Crucially, this right is enforceable by the people it affects: the children, families and communities who rely on it. The Right to ECD Symposium was a beginning. It marked the start of a new phase in the movement for legal recognition of ECD as a right, not just a policy objective. Real change requires more than political will, it requires a legal framework that is principled, enforceable, and grounded in the lived realities of children in South Africa. The time for fragmented approaches has passed. The right to ECD must be recognised, resourced, and protected by law. DM Nobukhosi Zulu-Taruza is the Law and Policy Specialist at Ilifa Labantwana. Tess Peacock is the Executive Director at the Equality Collective. Nurina Ally is the Director of the Centre for Law and Society and Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Town. Cameron McConnachie is the co-lead of the Legal Resources Centre's Education Programme. Peter Daniel Al-Naddaf is a Legal Researcher at Equal Education Law Centre. Mmatsetshweu Ruby Motaung is the Executive Director of TREE (Training and Resources in Early Education).
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
KwaZulu-Natal government ordered to pay crèches
Judge Siphokazi Jikela, sitting in the high court in Pietermaritzburg, has ordered the KwaZulu-Natal government to pay three Early Childhood Development centres who are owed between R37,873 and R63,784 each. Early Childhood Development (ECD) subsidies are set by the national government, currently at R17 a day per child, but the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has been failing to pay centres on time. The three centres are among at least 275 in the province that have struggled with late subsidy payments, with one of them owed more than R130,000. Friends of South Africa (FOSA) and the KwaZulu-Natal Early Childhood Development Alliance are leading the court action against the department. The organisations are represented by the Legal Resources Centre. ECD centres provide a safe place for children to receive a foundational education and have their nutritional needs met while their parents are working or studying, says Nkosinathi Sibisi, the chairperson of FOSA. Without this support, parents either have to give up working to stay at home or leave their children alone. They appeared in an urgent court hearing on Monday, asking for the department to be ordered to pay the three centres — Sakhokwethu Crèche, Phumelela Crèche, and Zenzeleni Crèche — within five days. The Department's lawyers asked for a 30 day timeframe due to issues with their payment system. But Judge Jikela ordered the department to pay within ten days. In the second part of their court application, which will be heard in court at a future date, FOSA and their co-litigants have submitted a list of 275 centres that have been receiving their subsidies late. They want the department to file a report to the court, describing the extent of the department's breach of payment obligations and 'a plan to overcome these deficiencies'. Sibisi told GroundUp that the late payment issues go back to 2022, when the KZN education department took over the subsidy payments from the Department of Social Development (DSD). 'Even though there were payment issues when it was still done by the [DSD], it was never this bad,' said Sibisi. The department has not explained the reasons for late payments in the court documents and declined to answer GroundUp's questions. Many of FOSA's members have recently had to shut their doors because they did not have enough money to keep their centres running, says Sibisi. According to court papers, Sakhokwethu Crèche has still not received subsidy grant payments for January, February and March of 2024, and March and April of this year. Phumelela Crèche and Zenzeleni Crèche have not received any payments since before December 2024. According to their court papers, these late payments have led to staff not being paid and some being laid off. The centres have had to reduce child intake due to parents not being able to pay the fees. Thembekile Ndlovu, the principal of Zenzeleni Crèche, told GroundUp the centre has had to lay off skilled staff whose salaries they can no longer afford to pay. To feed the children, Ndlovu has had to pay for groceries out of her pocket and take out personal loans. The centre has also had to turn down parents who cannot afford to pay the basic fee, says Ndlovu. Under normal circumstances, the grant from the department would cover the fees for many of these children. Sinamuva, a crèche located in Inanda that Sibisi manages, is one of the 275 centres listed in the court papers. The creche has not received its subsidy for the last two months, leaving Sibisi with no choice but to use his own money to keep the centre going. Groundup visited Sinamuva last week. Sibisi said that they have had to start finding cheaper alternatives to feed the children, deviating from their usual nutritional plan. Some days, they have had to ask parents to pack lunches for their children, which not all of them can afford. The children's toilets also have no seats because the department had instructed the centre to replace the adult seats with children's seats, but the centre does not have enough money to buy new ones. Sisile Khoza, principal of Ntukwini pre-school, which is also on the list, said the department owes her centre over six months of subsidies. This has caused the centre to quickly run into debt as it now owes many people payment, such as day labourers, says Khoza. 'We are struggling to survive here because we are in the rural areas and most of the parents are not employed, only relying on the government child support grant,' said Khoza. According to the list, the creche is currently owed R138,000 by the department. This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
Auto Blog
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
ECD Automotive Unleashes ''67 Ghost' Mustang – A Redefined, Bespoke Classic
ECD Automotive Designs, the company known for its reimagined Land Rovers and Jaguars, has branched out into the muscle car realm with the ''67 Ghost.' This gorgeous 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback is a restomod take on Ford's classic icon, with some touches that may impress or mortify, depending on how you like your classic cars. ECD has not committed classic car powertrain sins '67 Ghost — Source: ECD Not only is this the first Mustang that ECD has built entirely in-house, but it also marks the beginning of their custom Mustang lineup, offering bespoke builds across the 1965 to 1970 model years. With a claimed focus on 'period authentic engines and modern luxury craftsmanship,' ECD decided to make the right decision and stick to gas by working exclusively with Roush Performance on a refined small-block Ford V8 for the '67 Ghost. The ROUSH 347 IR V8 makes 465 hp through a set of deep, throaty exhaust pipes, just the way it should be. 'We're not following the crowd,' said Elliot Humble, CTO of ECD. 'Everyone else is swapping in modern powertrains. We're doing something far more special — taking original Small Block Fords and making them better with Roush. Paired with the RS Spec chassis, these cars are fast, comfortable, and totally reimagined for how people want to drive today.' The interior might be a different story '67 Ghost — Source: ECD The interior is where this restomod may start to fall apart for some, including yours truly. While the brushed aluminum dashboard and gauges fit the look of a classic Mustang, the black leather heated Recaro front seats with tan diamond-stitched inserts do not. The same goes for the black center console and the inclusion of an Alpine touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and JBL audio. Even the rearview mirror has been swapped to a live-feed digital rearview mirror, which, despite bringing a modern touch to the cabin, takes away from the overall feel of a classic Mustang. The Mustang rides on a Roadster Shop RS Spec chassis, with a body finished in High Gloss Mineral White with Santorini Black Metallic rally stripes. The rest of the body remains true to the 1967 Mustang's image, with the glaring exception of those 17' Rambler chrome wheels. In my mind, a muscle car needs big rubber to get the V8's power under control at all times, and the skinny Nitto tires on the big chrome wheels just don't fit that look. At least there are 11″ drilled & slotted rotors behind them with four piston red calipers. '67 Ghost — Source: ECD Final thoughts ECD claims it has multiple Mustang builds already underway, with some inspired by Shelbys and Boss-era styling. According to the company's website, a Mustang build starts at $279,995, which…isn't cheap, to put it mildly. Whether or not a six-figure price tag is worth it for a modernized 465 hp V8 Mustang is entirely up to the prospective owner, but at least ECD didn't make it electric. That's one thing we can all be happy about.
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
ECD Automotive Unleashes ''67 Ghost' Mustang - A Redefined, Bespoke Classic
ECD Automotive Designs, the company known for its reimagined Land Rovers and Jaguars, has branched out into the muscle car realm with the "'67 Ghost." This 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback is a restomod take on Ford's classic icon, with some touches that may impress or mortify, depending on how you like your classic cars. Not only is this the first Mustang that ECD has built entirely in-house, but it also marks the beginning of their custom Mustang lineup, offering bespoke builds across the 1965 to 1970 model years. With a claimed focus on "period authentic engines and modern luxury craftsmanship," ECD decided to stick to gas and worked exclusively with Roush Performance on a refined small-block Ford V8 for the '67 Ghost. The ROUSH 347 IR V8 makes 465 hp through a set of deep, throaty exhaust pipes. "We're not following the crowd," said Elliot Humble, CTO of ECD. "Everyone else is swapping in modern powertrains. We're doing something far more special - taking original Small Block Fords and making them better with Roush. Paired with the RS Spec chassis, these cars are fast, comfortable, and totally reimagined for how people want to drive today." The interior is where this restomod may start to fall apart for some, including yours truly. While the brushed aluminum dashboard and gauges fit the look of a classic Mustang, the black leather heated Recaro front seats with tan diamond-stitched inserts do not. The same goes for the black center console and the unfortunate inclusion of an Alpine touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and JBL audio. Even the rearview mirror has been swapped to a live-feed digital rearview mirror, which, despite bringing a modern touch to the cabin, takes away from the overall feel of a classic Mustang. The Mustang rides on a Roadster Shop RS Spec chassis, with a body finished in High Gloss Mineral White with Santorini Black Metallic rally stripes. The rest of the body remains true to the 1967 Mustang's image, with the glaring exception of those 17" Rambler chrome wheels. In my mind, a muscle car needs big rubber to get the V8's power under control at all times, and the skinny Nitto tires on the big chrome wheels just don't fit that look. At least there are 11" drilled & slotted rotors behind them with four piston red calipers. ECD claims it has multiple Mustang builds already underway, with some inspired by Shelbys and Boss-era styling. According to the company's website, a Mustang build starts at $279,995, cheap, to put it mildly. Whether or not a six-figure price tag is worth it for a modernized 465 hp V8 Mustang is entirely up to the prospective owner, but at least ECD didn't make it electric. That's one thing we can all be happy about. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
ECD Auto Design Unleashes ‘67 Ghost — The First in a New Line of Bespoke Custom Mustangs
This debut Fastback ignites a new era of one-of-one Mustangs — custom-built by ECD, powered by Roush-engineered Small Block Ford V8s, and handcrafted to deliver heritage performance with modern-day Fla., May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ECD Automotive Design (NASDAQ: ECDA), the world's leading builder of reimagined classic Land Rovers and Jaguars, proudly reveals Project '67 Ghost, a fully bespoke 1967 Mustang Fastback — and the first Mustang built entirely in-house by ECD. More than a one-off commission, this vehicle marks the launch of ECD's new Mustang program, offering made-to-order builds across 1965–1970 model years with authentic powertrains, heritage styling, and modern drivability. View images and of Project '67 Ghost Built on the same foundation that has made ECD the global leader in luxury custom restoration, the Mustang program brings the company's signature client-driven, one-of-one experience to a new chapter of American muscle. Each vehicle is handcrafted in Florida through a collaborative design journey — allowing clients to define every detail, from performance to aesthetics. While many restomod builders lean on EV conversions or modern crate engines, ECD has partnered exclusively with Roush Performance to deliver something more meaningful: upgraded Small Block Ford V8s that honor the soul of the original car while elevating reliability and responsiveness. 'This is the beginning of what we're calling a Mustang stampede,' said Scott Wallace, CEO of ECD Automotive Design. ''67 Ghost represents the next evolution of what ECD stands for — one-of-one personalization, authentic powertrains, and best-in-class craftsmanship. Our partnership with Roush lets us preserve the Mustang's identity while enhancing it in ways no one else is doing.' Under the hood, '67 Ghost features a 465-horsepower ROUSH 347 IR V8, purpose-built to balance raw character with everyday usability. The vehicle rides on a Roadster Shop RS Spec chassis, giving it the best of both worlds: responsive handling and confident power, with the comfort and refinement of a modern cruiser. Finished in High Gloss Mineral White with Santorini Black Metallic rally stripes, the exterior draws from classic Mustang lineage, elevated with ECD's precise detailing. Inside, heated Recaro seats in black leather with tan diamond-stitched inserts pair with a brushed aluminum dash, All American gauges, and a Grant Classic steering wheel to deliver both nostalgia and tactile drama. Modern technology is seamlessly integrated, including Apple CarPlay, JBL premium audio, and a remote start. 'We're not chasing trends — we're building timeless machines,' said Elliot Humble, CTO of ECD. 'While others are dropping in off-the-shelf modern drivetrains, we've partnered with Roush to deliver brand-new, performance-built V8s based on the legendary Ford small block architecture. Paired with the RS Spec chassis, the result is a Mustang that's thrilling to drive and remarkably refined — the kind of car you enjoy every day, not just on weekends.' With multiple commissions already in progress — including builds inspired by Shelby GT350s, Boss 427s, and Mach 1 silhouettes — ECD's Mustang program is set to redefine what classic American muscle can be: bold, beautiful, and built entirely around the individual. Vehicle Highlights: '67 Ghost Model: 1967 Mustang Fastback Name: '67 Ghost Engine: 465-HP ROUSH 347 IR Small Block Ford V8 Paint: High Gloss Mineral White with Gloss Santorini Black Metallic Rally Stripes Chassis: Roadster Shop RS Spec with Adjustable RS SV Fox Coilovers Brakes: 11" Drilled & Slotted Rotors, 4-Piston Red Calipers Wheels: 17' Rambler Chrome Wheels on Nitto NT555 Tires Interior: Heated Recaro Seats in Black Leather with Tan Double Diamond Inserts; Sport II Console; Grant Classic Steering Wheel; Brushed Aluminum Dash Technology: Apple CarPlay, JBL Premium Audio with Subwoofer, Remote Start, USB Ports, Automatic Headlights Hood: Vented Hood with Turn Signals About ECD Auto DesignECD, a public company trading under ECDA on the Nasdaq, is a creator of restored luxury vehicles that combines classic beauty with modern performance. Currently, ECD restores Land Rovers Series, Land Rover Series IIA, the Range Rover Classic, Jaguar E-Type, Ford Mustang, Toyota FJ, and highly specialized vehicles from its Boutique Studio. Each vehicle produced by ECD is fully bespoke, a one-off that is designed by the client through an immersive luxury design experience and hand-built from the ground up in 2,200 hours by master-certified Automotive Service Excellence ('ASE') craftsmen. The company was founded in 2013 by three British 'gear heads' whose passion for classic vehicles is the driving force behind exceptionally high standards for quality, custom luxury vehicles. ECD's global headquarters, is a 100,000-square-foot facility located in Kissimmee, Florida that is home to 105 talented and dedicated employees that hold combined 80 ASE and five master level certifications. ECD has an affiliated logistics center in the U.K. where its seven employees work to source and transport 25-year-old work vehicles back to the U.S. for restoration. For more information, visit Media Contact: Kevin KastnerChief Revenue Officerkastnerk@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
