Recently, Sani-touch partnered with Singakwenza Early Childhood Education to launch several projects that repurpose materials like polyester, Sani-touch Trolley Wipes and wooden pallets into educational resources for rural creches in KwaZulu-Natal. This initiative not only provides valuable learning tools but also empowers and upskills practitioners, parents and staff.

Singakwenza, meaning “We can do it,” is a registered non-profit organisation which trains parents, early childhood practitioners and caregivers at a grassroots level. The organisation focuses on providing fun, educational activities that enable young children to learn through play, supported by resources handmade solely from recycled materials. Its goal is to build practitioners’ capacity so they can independently grow their own creches after acquiring essential knowledge and skills. Founded in 2010 by Julie Hay, Singakwenza has trained and mentored over 200 practitioners in more than 70 creches. Currently, the organisation mentors 26 creches in KwaZulu-Natal and 4 in Gauteng.

Professor of Education of Stellenbosch University, Professor Jonathan Jansen says,

“Singakwenza must be one of the most innovative and effective interventions in early childhood education in Southern Africa …”

Sani-touch has always prioritised sustainability and innovation. Our latest initiative, Zonki Cloths to Bean Bags, exemplifies this commitment by addressing the challenge of recycling 100% polyester. Recently, we held an empowerment workshop at our KwaZulu-Natal factory where several women learned sewing skills. The training emphasised the importance of recycling and transforming so-called ‘waste’ into educational resources. The bean bags the women are now making are crafted from recycled polyester, with a vibrant primary coloured side made from cotton fabric off-cuts. They are filled with either 100% polypropylene pellets derived from recycled wipes or 100% polyester cloth. The variety of colours, sizes and weights that the bean bags are made in are crucial for early childhood development.

The creches, which all operate in disadvantaged areas, have limited resources with many young coming from challenging backgrounds. Play is a recommended tool to reveal and address various fine and gross motor issues in young children. 

Singakwenza founder Julie Hay suggested the addition of a doll house to the creches for fantasy play and language development, but which could also play a valuable role in allowing practitioners to be able to identify issues that might present during play.