Action 13 · Create a national Digital Backbone to support ELPs
A More
Connected Journey
In a system as vast and diverse as South Africa’s, technology can be a powerful enabler, helping ELP providers feel less isolated, more connected and better supported in their daily practice. With the right design, digital tools can bring learning, guidance and real-time support closer to where care and teaching happen in classrooms, homes and centres across the country.
Meet Naledi. She runs a home-based early learning programme in her community, and wants to keep learning, build a sustainable centre and give every child in her care the best possible start. Beside her is Thabo, who represents the person who supports her, such as a social worker, EHP, community health worker, coach or mentor. Between them runs her journey, and right now it is hard to travel without help.
There is no single Naledi
Some practitioners are supported by an NGO. Some are completely independent. Some get help from several organisations, but only now and then. Where she lives and how well she is connected change what support looks like.
“The Digital Backbone is a way for a practitioner to be connected, see other practitioners and be visible to the support that they need to thrive in their journey.”
Lazola Makhupula, Bana Pele Action 13 Lead
Naledi’s journey
1 Joining the networkDiscovers Bana Pele and gets connected.
Naledi says
“I have heard help exists. Where do I start?”
Where it breaks
Support exists, but she cannot tell which organisation to approach, or whether it is meant for her.
What if Naledi could say what she needs, and the right support could find its way to her?
4 Building a solid foundationRegisters and gains access to the subsidy.
Naledi says
“I have already told you that.”
Where it breaks
Every organisation that helps her asks for the same information again, and she does not always know whether anything is missing.
What if what she has already shared could, with her permission, move between the people supporting her?
5 Growing in qualityImproves with coaching and resources.
Naledi says
“Now I know what to fix. Who will help me do it?”
Where it breaks
She gets feedback after an assessment, but no ongoing help to turn it into changes in her classroom.
What if her coaching and progress followed her, and Thabo could see them, with her permission?
6 Becoming a leaderMentors others.
Naledi says
“I could help the next practitioner.”
Where it breaks
Her experience goes unrecognised, and there is no clear way to become someone else’s Thabo.
What if her learning and contributions travelled with her, and she could mentor others?
Think of the Digital Backbone like an electricity grid
“It works quietly in the background, and someone has to power, manage and govern it. The organisations and tools that support a practitioner are the appliances. One might be the air fryer and another something else; they all run on the same energy, and they are not the same thing. The grid would not replace them. It would let them work together.”
Lyndsey Petro, Head of Partnerships, Grow ECD
“The journey becomes important. Where they consume the digital information is not necessarily very important.”
Vijay Puttaraju, Head of Solutions, Tibil Solutions and Action 13 Lead
Where the journey gets stuck
Friction points raised by practitioners at the Johannesburg workshop
Designed together
“I learned a lot about the dynamics between a practitioner and supporter. I learned that I can get more skills from social media without waiting for a coach to come and help me.”
Wendy Mtepele, Hope ECD
“People left work just to come and sit and meet and find a way forward amongst all the problems, and to see that people really care about the [early learning] practitioners.”
Noxolo Gqada, Strategic Design and Integration Lead, DG Murray Trust
“It was lovely to be reminded of the amazing assets we have in this country.”
Sarah McGuigan, Executive Director, Ntataise
