On 7^th June, Thandi van Heyningen (Institute for Security Studies), who is a member of the SAPPIN research committee,  presented at the International Congress on Evidence-Based Parenting Support (I-CEPS; 6^th-8^th June), a virtual conference which was presented by the Parenting and Family Research Alliance (PAFRA). 

Thandi presented the latest SAPPIN paper, which focuses on exploring the practical implications of the evidence-based agenda in South African parenting programme delivery. Drawing on results from focus group discussions with SAPPIN members, this presentation outlined the challenges of the evidence-based approach to programme roll-out and funding in South Africa. Alternative and additional standards for quality programme implementation were also discussed, including the use of evidence-informed and evidence-led interventions and practice-based evidence. 

Co-authored with Nicki Dawson and Wilmi Dippenaar, the article will soon be submitted for peer review. Be sure to look out for the publication. 

SAPPIN is proud to announce that we are in the process of registering to be classified as a legal entity, which will afford us more opportunities to gain funding to do the important work that we set out to do.

The papers are in and we are eagerly awaiting feedback from the government to be able to fully operate on our own.

The following people were kind enough to volunteer their time and expertise to become board members of SAPPIN:

• Thamsanqa Mzaku – the SAPPIN member’s representative
• Katharine Frost – previous driver group member and psycho-social support to SAPPIN
• Duduzile Skhosana – Previously from Save the Children SA
• Rasigan Kander – the financial boffin, currently from Sesame Workshop

We thank this team for all their efforts and are excited to be able to (hopefully soon) announce our new status, allowing us to embark on a new phase in the life of SAPPIN.

SAPPIN driver group members Kaathima Ebrahim and Wilmi Dippenaar recently represented SAPPIN on the National Intersectoral Forum (ISF) on Early Childhood Development as part of the “Social Protection and Parenting” sub-committee. 

The ISF is a forum bridging civil society and government role players in ECD and is made up of several sub-committees including:

• Curriculum and training
• Health and Nutrition
• Infrastructure
• Social Protection and Parenting

The ISF was previously hosted by the National Department of Social Development (DSD) but was handed over to the National Department of Basic Education (DBE) in April 2022, when the ECD function shifted from DSD to DBE. 

The first Social Protection sub-committee meeting for the year was held in February. Here the sub-committee’s Terms of Reference (TOR), which guides what work the sub-committee will do for the year, were discussed in order to get it finalized. 

Updates from the DSD on the National Parenting Programme were shared as well as updates on Hope Worldwide’s Caregiver Learning Through Play parenting programme.

The next meeting will be held in April 2023.