The Ga-Phasha Village’s Bohlale Daycare in Burgersfort, which was one of the service delivery sites that the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education visited today, appeared as an example of excellence during the committee’s oversight visit to Limpopo, as part of its week-long oversight programme to assess school readiness for the 2026 academic year.
Established in 2016, the early childhood development centre received a Gold Star rating from the Department of Basic Education for full compliance with required standards. The centre provides meals, learner transport, and access to running water and sanitation.
“Compared to the water and maintenance challenges we identified yesterday, this daycare is proof that there are pockets of excellence in the province,” said committee Chairperson Joy Maimela.
Ms Maimela made the remarks after learning that the centre currently has only 60 children enrolled, despite having the capacity to accommodate 136. According to the principal, Ms Masadi Tshehla, low enrolment is largely due to affordability challenges, as many parents in the village depend on state grants and cannot afford the monthly fees, which range between R250 and R300, depending on the age of the child.
Impressed by the centre’s functionality, committee members encouraged the department and centre management to work with mining companies to sponsor fees for children from disadvantaged families.
The daycare centre was the first school to be visited during the second day of the committee’s programme.
Temba Gubula
27 January 2026
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