Children can’t vote. But their future is on the ballot. This is the urgent message from the Centre for Early Childhood Development at this morning’s ECD and Local Government Election Debate at Lentegeur Hospital’s main hall in Mitchells Plain. The debate brings together political party representatives vying to become Cape Town’s next mayor and ECD representatives to demand answers on the issues affecting young children. At Nal’ibali, we partner with ECD centres to reach more children in communities with stories and reading resources, nurturing a love of reading from an early age. The time to speak up for our children is now. Parents and caregivers, ask the tough questions and use your vote to demand a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.