In celebration of World Play Day on Wednesday, 28th May 2025, Cotlands partnered with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and hosted seven inclusive play events across South Africa, spotlighting the importance of ensuring all children, regardless of their ability, have access to play-based early learning opportunities and early learning. We are championing the rights of all children – including children with disabilities to access meaningful, inclusive play experiences.

This year’s World Play Day centered around “Inclusive Play”, highlighting the urgent need to create environments where every child is welcomed, included, and supported – regardless of their abilities.

Events took place at Cotlands Toy Library hubs across the country:
• East London, Eastern Cape
• Macassar, Western Cape
• Hlabisa, Kwazulu-Natal
• Barberton, Mpumalanga
• Mkhondo, Mpumalanga
• Mashishing, Mpumalanga
• Orange Farm, Gauteng

The community events featured a variety of play-based activities, interactive storytelling sessions, and the distribution of information brochures for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. The play activities were designed to support holistic child development – physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills through inclusive and accessible play.

In collaboration with CHAI, on-site health screenings were offered to identify hearing and eyesight challenges in young children. Early detection is critical to removing barriers that may affect a child’s development and ability to fully engage in play and learning. Children with disabilities are too often overlooked or excluded from community play spaces and early learning opportunities. These advocacy events seek to change this by educating adults (parents, caregivers and early learning practitioners) on the importance of inclusive play. By raising awareness, our aim is to break the stigma, shift perceptions, and ensure children with disabilities are given equal opportunities to play, learn, and express their unique talents.

To further support families, Cotlands has adopted a robust referral system that helps connect parents and caregivers to professional medical and developmental specialists. This ensures that children with disabilities are not only included in play but also receive the medical care, therapy and guidance they need to thrive.

“Inclusive play is not just about access to quality educational toys and early learning resources through our regional toy libraries – it is also about equity, dignity and recognising the potential in every child” says Nozizwe Dladla-Qwabe, Acting CEO of Cotlands. “Through these events and our referral network, we are creating pathways for children with disabilities to receive the support they deserve.”

“Health and education are closely connected. By combining health screenings and inclusive play experiences, we create a safe and relaxed environment where children feel less anxious and more at ease.” says Azukile Nzuzo, Project Manager : Assistive Technology . “Play naturally lowers stress levels and helps children feel comfortable, which allows screenings for hearing and eyesight to take place gently and reassuringly.”

Cotlands and CHAI encourage all ECD centres across the country to join this worldwide celebration and help us advocate for every child’s right to play to access a toy library in their community and be part of building a more inclusive and compassionate society.