Roger Federer calls for collaboration to expand early childhood development in South Africa

Roger Federer, philanthropist and retired tennis champion, has urged business leaders to collaborate meaningfully with the government to ensure every child in South Africa has access to early childhood development (ECD) services by 2030.

He was speaking at a breakfast event hosted by his foundation in support of the Department of Basic Education’s 2030 ECD Strategy and the new Social Compact for South Africa.

The department is currently running a digital ECD mass registration drive and simplifying compliance requirements to expand access to quality early learning.

Federer’s commitment to ECD

“Through our foundation’s work in South Africa, we’ve been able to offer quality preschool education to more than 300 000 children. However, 1.3 million children are still waiting for opportunities such as playgrounds to play, building blocks and books to learn and, most importantly, passionate and knowledgeable educators,” said Federer, whose mother is South African.

Studies have shown that investing in ECD yields significant returns of up to 13%. Maya Ziswiler, CEO of the Roger Federer Foundation, emphasised the long-term impact: “Beyond the numbers, the real impact is seen in the lives of the children. Those who participated in these programmes grew up to have more stable families, provide more resources for their own children and contribute positively to their communities.”

Business leaders urged to prioritise ECD investment

Nonkululeko Nyembezi, chair of Business Leadership South Africa, which co-hosted the event, stressed the importance of corporate investment in ECD: “The business sector is by now well-versed in collaborating with the government to tackle difficult challenges facing South Africa. However, what many of us haven’t done until now is prioritise spending on the youngest ones. Prioritising human capital from the earliest years is not just a social responsibility; it’s a strategic advantage for creating a thriving society and sustainable success.”

Collaboration is key

Federer highlighted that achieving universal ECD access can only be realised through strong partnerships: “Look beyond current actions and extend your reach. Just as I united with [Novak] Djokovic at the Laver Cup, we are stronger together.”

His foundation is collaborating with the Get It Done Foundation to expand the footprint of its School Readiness Initiative, which is already active in five provinces across South Africa.

“We want to learn from others – just like in tennis, where accepting guidance and new strategies leads to unexpected victories.”

Siya Kolisi joins the call to support early learning

The event also featured a special guest, national rugby captain Siya Kolisi, who urged attendees to recognise the potential within every child.

Kolisi, who benefited from an educational scholarship, joined Federer and his family in visiting two preschools in Mpumalanga that are part of the Roger Federer Foundation’s initiative.

“By investing in early childhood development and partnering with organisations already making an impact, you as business leaders can ensure every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive,” Federer concluded.