Grace Matlhape, CEO of SmartStart in South Africa, is finalist nominee for the Africa Education Medal 2023 – Africa’s most prestigious education accolade. The award recognizes a commitment to education in Africa.
“For those of us who work in education, the success of the country’s youth is one of the most important indications of how well we are doing,” relentlessly repeats Grace Matlhape. A pioneer in education, the South African is CEO of the SmartStart early learning program.
Since its inception in 2015, SmartStart has built a network of over 90 000 parents and caregivers across all nine provinces. Leveraging a decentralized social franchise model, the organization has trained over 15 000 early learning practitioners – of which the majority are women – and set up over 9 000 of them in micro social enterprises to fill the gap in early learning service provision. By 2030, SmartStart aims to reach one million children between the ages of three and five annually.
“This also highlights the essential nature of our mission, which is to enable the potential of children and women by providing affordable access to quality early learning across South Africa”
“This nomination is confirmation that SmartStart is making a real and measurable impact on people’s lives. This also highlights the essential nature of our mission, which is to enable the potential of children and women by providing affordable access to quality early learning across South Africa,” Grace Malthape told the local media.
The award also recognizes a commitment to social impact and development. Before SmartStart, Grace was the CEO of loveLife, an organization that tackled the high rate of HIV infections among young people in South Africa. A qualified social worker, Matlhape also has experience in forensic psychiatry, mental health, and psycho-social support. Previously, she served as the Executive Director for the Wits Mental Health Society for seven years, as well as the Director of Programs at the Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa.
“Grace is driven by deep care and commitment towards social justice by enabling the potential of young children, youth, and women – she is a pioneer in effecting change. Under her leadership, over 145 000 children have been enrolled in the SmartStart early learning program. This number represents only a fraction of the actual impact made by the organization, when it comes to expanding access to early learning and enabling the creation of livelihoods, for predominantly young black women in poor communities,” says Executive Chair at Yellowwoods Group, Adrian Enthoven, who motivated for Matlhape as a finalist.
“The African Education Medal recognizes that education is the foundation of an inclusive and successful society”
“The African Education Medal recognizes that education is the foundation of an inclusive and successful society. I celebrate and admire the work of all of the esteemed finalists – we all share a common vision of a better, more equitable world where access to learning is a given, not something to be fought for,” says the nominee.
The award, founded by T4 Education and HP in collaboration with Microsoft, is given to outstanding individuals who have demonstrated impact, leadership, and advocacy in the field of education.
Finalists will be assessed by a Jury comprising prominent individuals based on rigorous criteria. The winner of the Africa Education Medal will be announced in July.
Find out more about SmartStart, visit www.smartstart.org.za .
