Candice Potgieter is the visionary chief executive of Unlimited Child, South Africa’s largest early childhood development (ECD) programme, which has reached over 2.2 million children across Africa and the Middle East. Her work combines community-based initiatives, digital innovation, and strategic partnerships to ensure that every child has access to quality early learning, regardless of their circumstances. “A single empowered practitioner can uplift an entire community of children,” Candice says. Her days balance strategic leadership with human connection — reviewing impact data, aligning partners, guiding teams, and exploring innovative financing models to drive systemic change. She excels at problem-solving at scale, demonstrating that data, when measured and sustainable, can drive social impact. Under her leadership, The Unlimited Child has won the 2024 Khalifa International Award for Education for Best Programme and Curriculum, expanded a network of over 12 000 female-led micro-enterprises delivering quality early learning, and launched the AI-powered ECD Blueprint, transforming early childhood systems through real-time data and digital training. Candice’s passion for brain health and neuroplasticity informs her approach to leadership, innovation, and lifelong learning. “Trust both the data and your intuition,” she says. Grounded, imaginative, and relentlessly focused on trans- formation, she continues to redefine what is possible in early childhood development, leaving a legacy that will shape the first years of learning for millions of children.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science Honours in Applied Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics & Applied Mathematics, University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Executive Management Programme, Mendoza School of Business – University of Notre Dame
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Leading The Unlimited Child to become South Africa’s largest early childhood development (ECD) programme, now reaching over 2.2 million children across South Africa and multiple African and Middle Eastern countries.
- Winning the 2024 Khalifa International Award for Education for Best Programme and Curriculum in Africa and the Middle East.
- Receiving the Fairlady Santam Women of the Future – Social Entrepreneur Award for pioneering scalable, sustainable ECD solutions.
- Expanding a network of over 12,000 female-led micro-enterprises that deliver quality early learning through a tech-enabled, data-driven model.
- Spearheading The Unlimited Child’s AI-powered ECD Blueprint, integrating real-time data, digital training, and performance tracking to transform how early learning systems operate.
- Building strategic partnerships with global organisations to advance universal access to quality early learning.
- Contributing to thought leadership on social innovation, outcomes-based financing, and the care economy through global forums.
- Authoring an addendum titled “The Unlimited Child – A System of Smart, Modern Philanthropy” in the book Hunting the Dragon: The Story Behind the World’s Most Radical Leadership System (2022)
