A child’s formative years are vital
Vicky Roper
Founder and Director,
CHEAFRICA
Story of CHEAFRICA
CHEAFRICA was born from a serious commitment to children’s well being, beginning in 2017 with a vision established by founder Vicky Roper and initial funding from her late brother, Mike Davies.
This dedication led to the formal establishment as a Not For Profit Company (NPC) in 2018, focused on Early Childhood Development (ECD).
In 2024, Vicky’s encounter with Lize Marais and her Toy Library became an important part of the organization’s journey.
A key milestone was reached in 2025 with the acquisition of a building in a prime, accessible location providing a permanent headquarters for the newly formed CHEAFRICA HUB and a permanent home for the new Milkwood Toy Library. The CHEAFRICA HUB now comprises of Milkwood toy library, training venue and ECD Toy Library.
Today, led by Directors Vicky Roper and Lize Marais we are driving our integrated programme model forward, building a sustainable future where every child can thrive.
CHEAFRICA has worked with and supported many charities and community organisations over the years and remains committed to supporting these organisations in the future when the need arises.
Little Lambs Christian Educare
Golden Sunbeams
The Just Footprints Foundation
Masikhule
True North
Our Mission & Vision
Philosophy
Every child learns, grows, and thrives through play in their formative years.
Vision
To inspire parents and educators to embrace learning through play.
Mission
To make play-based learning accessible and practical for children, families, and educators through Toy Libraries, training, and community programmes.
The Work We Do
“I choose my own toys.”
“The power of Six Bricks. Just look how proud she is.”
“He is hard at work in front of his laptop.”
Toy Library
Our Toy Library is the only one of its kind in the Helderberg area. Since inception in 2023 we have grown our members from a humble 10 to 289 to date.
Our unique Toy Library offers families and ECD educators access to a wide range of educational toys, games, and puzzles to use at home and in the classroom. Our model allows parents and educators to choose what best suits each child’s needs, supporting learning, development, and play in a flexible and personalised way.
By making quality learning resources accessible, we create more opportunities for children to learn through play in everyday environments.
Six Bricks
Our Six Bricks Programme has been running since January and to date we have reached 117 educators and parents. The programme equips parents, educators, and community practitioners with practical skills on how to use play as a tool for learning and development.
The training focuses on how to facilitate play-based learning activities, use toys and games effectively, and apply simple tools such as Six Bricks in classrooms and home environments.
Participants leave with practical, easy-to-use methods that can be implemented immediately to support children’s learning through play.
PLAY2LEARN
The beauty of PLAY2LEARN is that learning can happen in so many different ways – through play, creativity, and exploration.
Our PLAY2LEARN programme develops essential early learning skills through guided play activities.
Sessions are designed to show how learning through toys, games, and structured play experiences can build confidence, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills.
The PLAY2LEARN programme is delivered to ECD centres, community spaces, and learning hubs, teaching carers, parents and teachers how play create opportunities for children to learn in a fun, engaging, and developmentally appropriate way.
Gallery
Meet the Team at the HUB
Lize Marais
“Hi, my name is Lize, and I am also one of the Directors of CHEAFRICA.
I studied teaching in Wellington and went abroad for a year. After returning to South Africa, I worked at an adventure centre on the Breede River, where I facilitated school groups. Shortly afterwards, my teaching career started, where I taught Art at the Deaf School in De la Bat, as well as Grade R and Grade 1 at a private school in the Helderberg.
From there, I started my own special needs school, which I ran for 10 years. I learned a lot through my students. They taught me to push through even when things were hard and to celebrate every small achievement.
Over the years, I had collected many educational resources through my teaching career and wanted to share them with parents and educators. That is where the idea for the Toy Library was born. I made contact with TLASA (Toy Library Association of South Africa), and I have to acknowledge Annika Savage, who planted the seed and introduced me to the world of toy libraries. What started very small gradually grew into something much bigger.
In 2024, I met Vicky, and together we started building the CHEAFRICA Hub. It has been an exciting journey of creating opportunities for children, families, educators, and communities through play.
At the end of 2025, I closed my centre and completed my Six Bricks Facilitator Level 1 and Level 2 training. Today, I work full-time in the world of play, sharing its value and impact as far and wide as possible. I am passionate about helping children learn through play and supporting educators and communities to embrace play as a powerful tool for learning, development, and connection.”
Yvonne Otto
“Hi, my name is Yvonne.
The Hub has truly become my home away from home. Here, we are more than just a space — we are a family.
I am a qualified dietician, a creative person at heart, and a proud mom to two daughters. At CHEAFRICA Hub, I help support the daily running of the Hub, assist families and children within the Toy Library, and help create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who visits.
I am involved in play sessions, ECD activities, community programmes, and supporting parents as they explore learning through play. One of the things I love most is seeing children grow in confidence and develop through simple play experiences.
Every day I am inspired by the families who walk through our doors. I get to witness how play supports growth and development — from little ones saying their first words to children building confidence and rediscovering their smiles.
On a personal level, I have also seen this impact within my own family. My eldest daughter gained confidence with her schoolwork by using educational toys to understand concepts in a different way. My youngest daughter reminds me daily of the importance of imagination and play — something every child deserves the opportunity to experience.
Being part of CHEAFRICA Hub has shown me how powerful play, connection, and community support can truly be.”
Show your Support
Volunteering
We are always looking for helping hands at the CHEAFRICA HUB.
From LEGO builders and game sorters to box fixers — there is a place for everyone.
If you have a skill that could support our organisation, we would love to hear from you.
Gently Loved Toys
We welcome any gently loved toys that are in good condition, not broken or missing parts, clean and ready for a new home to support our Toy Library and community.
Our biggest needs include:
• Puzzles
• Board games
• Baby toys
• Outdoor toys
• Children’s books (0 – 9 years old)
Financial Support
R60 sponsors a child to attend our Play2Learn programme.
R70 enables us to donate a Six Bricks set.
R100 enables us to purchase a new educational game.
R200 provides a Toy Library membership subscription for a child or family for 3 months.
R300 helps an ECD centre become part of the ECD Toy Library Programme for
3 months. This gives educators access to educational toy rotations, play-based learning support, and practical resources that support learning through play within their classrooms and communities.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us create meaningful learning experiences through play.
Bank Details
Bank: ABSA
Account Name: CHEAFRICA NPC
Account Number: 4109929373
Branch Code: 63 20 05
SWIFT Code: ABSAZAJJ
Financial Donations are processed under our Registration Number 2018/434241/08.
Contact Us
Visit Us
CHEAFRICA Hub
9 Fagan Street
Somerset West
7130
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 16:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 14:00
Sunday: Closed
