Pretoria: Cabinet has approved a series of legislative measures aimed at strengthening early childhood development at a time that the country marks Child Protection Month. Cabinet approved the submission of the Children's Act Amendment Bill, 2026 to Parliament. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stated that the proposed bill seeks to streamline South Africa's fragmented Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes and regulatory framework by consolidating oversight under a single authority.
According to South African Government News Agency, the programmes and regulations were overseen under Chapter 5 of the Children's Act by different authorities. The new bill will consolidate ECD regulation under the revised Chapter 6 of the Amendment Bill, placing it under the sole responsibility of the Department of Basic Education. The Amendment Bill introduces a single registration process for ECD centres and one set of Norms and Standards for the ECD Programme, the Minister explained at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.
As South Africa marks Child Protection Month in May, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe, speaking at the official launch in eDumbe Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, called for urgent and coordinated national action to protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Tolashe highlighted that the rising cases of child sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy remain a 'national disgrace'.
In related developments, Cabinet also approved the publication of the Draft Nuclear Energy Amendment Bill, 2025, for public consultation. The draft legislation proposes amendments to the Nuclear Energy Act of 1999, which governs the country's participation in international trade involving nuclear materials and technology. Ntshavheni noted that the bill addresses regulatory gaps by updating terminology, aligning the Act with international standards, and strengthening oversight of nuclear material, goods, and related activities across the value chain.
Additionally, Cabinet approved the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Amendment Bill, 2026, for public participation. This draft bill aims to promote uniformity in law across municipalities and ensure safe construction practices through sound building science, good workmanship, and quality materials. It also addresses longstanding concerns over inconsistent application and interpretation of the Act, which have contributed to uneven compliance and safety risks in the built environment.