SmartStart’s Grace Matlhape on building a better start for South Africa’s children


29 May 2026

SmartStart’s work is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves access to quality early learning from the start. In a recent feature with Business Minds Media, CEO Grace Matlhape shares more about the SmartStart’s vision, the importance of early learning in South Africa, and the role the organisation plays in helping to build stronger foundations for children, families, and communities.

The conversation highlights the scale of the challenge, but also the opportunity to create meaningful change by supporting practitioners, strengthening systems, and expanding access to early learning in communities that need it most. It is a reminder that investing in young children is about education along with dignity, equity, and long-term social impact.

Read the full article here: Grace Matlhape on Business Minds Media