The First Lady of Kenya, Mama Rachel Ruto, joined the First Lady of South Africa, Dr. Tshepo Motsepe, to visit a Montessori school in Pretoria on Thursday. The visit formed part of Mama Rachel’s three-day State Visit to South Africa alongside President William Ruto.
At the school, Mama Rachel warmly engaged with teachers and pupils, observing Montessori classrooms in action and speaking with educators about the child-centered learning approach. She commended the teachers for fostering an environment that encourages independence, curiosity, and hands-on learning among young children.
Dr. Tshepo Motsepe, a medical doctor and long-time advocate for education, walked alongside Mama Rachel as they interacted with learners and viewed learning materials used in the Montessori method. The two First Ladies discussed the importance of early childhood development in building strong educational foundations and reducing inequality across the continent.
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The visit highlighted the shared priority of Kenya and South Africa in strengthening early learning systems. Mama Rachel noted that programs like her _Feed One, End Hunger_ initiative and school kitchen gardens work best when paired with quality, child-focused teaching methods. Dr. Motsepe echoed the need for partnerships that support teachers and expand access to quality pre-primary education.
The school visit formed part of broader engagements during the State Visit, which included bilateral talks, the signing of six Memoranda of Understanding, and a Kenya-South Africa Business Forum aimed at deepening cooperation in trade, education, gender equality, and culture.
By Our Reporter
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