A 70-year-old Orange Farm early childhood development (ECD) practitioner is challenging a R5,000 fine after being unable to obtain a health certificate because she does not have a title deed for her centre. Known as Mam’Sweetness, she appeared at the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court, where her lawyer, David Dickinson of Lawyers for Human Rights, argued that she could not be expected to produce a title deed that had not been issued to her by the state.
Despite making several improvements to her premises, including installing a new roof, painting the walls, fitting new toilets, replacing the flooring and building a fire escape, the missing document remains an obstacle to compliance. She also purchased fire extinguishers to improve safety at the centre. The R5,000 fine was imposed despite these efforts to meet the requirements given to her by a city official.
The matter has been postponed to 18 November. Two other ECD practitioners facing similar challenges will return to court on 20 January and 3 February. Practitioners from Orange Farm and surrounding areas attended the hearing to show support for their colleagues, highlighting the difficulties faced by childcare providers who struggle to meet property documentation requirements.
The case raises concerns about how ECD centres operating on properties without title deeds can meet municipal requirements and obtain the necessary health certificates to continue providing childcare services.
