Our association has been in existence and working under various names since the 1990’s. Cynthia Morrison, a toy library pioneer in South Africa, kindly wrote an article for us about the earlier years of TLASA – you can read it here.
Below is a short timeline of our history:
| 1993: | – The association was established as “The South African Toy and Leisure Libraries Association” – SATLLA (ran by volunteers) |
| 1997: | – Roma Lear (Toy librarian and author from London) presented “Making toys for children with special needs” workshops across the country |
| 2001: | – SATLLA hosted the 1st National Toy Library Conference – Name changed to ALL-SA (Active Learning Libraries South Africa) – ALL-SA was registered as a non-profit organisation |
| 2002: | – In Sept ALL-SA participated in World Summit on Sustainable Development |
| 2003: | – Received first funding from Jim Joel Education and Training Fund 2nd National Toy Library Conference in Stellenbosch. – Established Toy Library Training and Resource Centre in Johannesburg |
| 2005: | – The 10th International Toy Library Conference was held in South Africa – 275 delegates from 26 countries attended. – 3rd National Toy Library Conference held concurrently with International Toy Library Conference. – ALL-SA registered as Public Benefit Organisation with SARS under Section 18A |
| 2004: | – 4th National Toy Library Conference, Randburg |
| 2008: | – ALL-SA staff member delivered a presentation at the 11th International Toy Library conference in Paris |
| 2010: | – 5th National Toy Library Conference held in Randburg |
| 2012: | – 6th National Toy Library Conference. The focus was “Low cost toys: how to use them, how to make them” |
| Due to financial constraints, ALL-SA was forced to close towards the end of 2012. Rather than lose the services of this valuable organisation, Cotlands offered to take over as the custodian of toy libraries. At that time Cotlands was phasing out its residential care programmes and expanding it non-centre based early learning services. They understood the valuable role toy libraries play in providing access to early learning opportunities, particularly in marginalised communities. ALL-SA was relaunched in 2013 under the name of COTLASA, but this was changed to TLASA – the toy library association of South Africa some time later. | |
| 2013: | – TLASA introduced quarterly toy library seminars where toy librarians and related professionals come together to network and share ideas – Promoted World Play Day with the theme “Making sense of play” |
| 2014: | – Promoted World Play Day, celebrating “The right to play” – Hosted quarterly toy library seminars in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KZN |
| 2015: | – Participated in the first ever Play conference in South Africa to promote the importance of play, TLASA set up a mobile toy library display at the conference. – Promoted “Play is fun” as the theme for World Play Day 2015 – Hosted quarterly toy library seminars in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, WC, EC and KZN – Monica Stach from Cotlands/TLASA elected to the board of ITLA |
| 2016: | – Celebrated World Play Day – “Play through the ages” – Hosted quarterly toy library seminars in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, WC, EC and KZN – Participated in the 2nd Play Conference organised by Cotlands, UNICEF, DBE and LEGO Foundation |
| 2017: | – Sent a delegation to attend the international toy library conference hosted by ITLA in Leiden, Holland. – Celebrated World Play Day with the theme “Sustainable play” – Hosted quarterly toy library seminars in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, WC, EC and KZN |
| 2018: | – Formed an interim steering committee to initiate and manage the process of registering TLASA as an independent, multi-stakeholder NPO – Hosted quarterly toy library seminars in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, WC, EC and KZN – Celebrated World Play Day – Free play” |
| 2019: | – Hosted the 15th International Toy Library Association Conference in Johannesburg and was attended by 202 delegates from 15 countries – TLASA first AGM was conducted during the conference – TLASA was registered as an NPO – Website was launched – www.tlasa.org – Hosted a series of ‘think tanks’ in collaboration with Gauteng Department of Social Development to produce a toy library quality standards guideline – Promoted World Play Day – “Play is Right” – Hosted quarterly seminars and newsletters |
| 2020: | – Hosted the first TLASA online Conference – “Toy Libraries for the4th Industrial Revolution” – Promoted World Play Day – “Be Safe. Play at Home ” – Hosted quarterly seminars and newsletters – Registered with Google for Nonprofits – Developed the Strategic Goals and Plan – TLASA continued to service their members despite the 2020 pandemic – TLASA participated in a number of advocacy campaigns |
| 2021: | – Promoted World Play Day – “Play is Healthy ” – Hosted quarterly seminars and newsletters – Hosted the 2nd online National TL conference – Received 10 sponsorships for toy librarians to participated in the accredited New Venture Creations (NVC) Toy Librarians Skills Development Programme facilitated by CotlandsIgnite – Website was rebuilt and went live in August – Membership directory and map was created |
| 2022: | – Attended NECT ECD migration dialogues and consultation meetings with DSD/DBE in preparation for the ECD function shift – Serviced on DBE’s Intersectoral ECD Forum: Policy and Legislation sub-committee – TimesLive article on right to play; Voice of the Cape Radio station interview; featured in Italian book on sustainable design – Presented at Youth United Council of India’s summit on Child Safety – Toy Libraries as a safe play space – Joined A Chance to Play SA’s Play champion forum – Started engaging with toy suppliers and DSACR – TLASA goes to India – Toy Fair – In person committee strategic planning session held – Hosted the 3rd online National TL conference – Toy Libraries – Essential Community Hubs – Promoted World Play Day – “Rediscover Play . Recover through Play” – Hosted quarterly seminars and newsletters |
| 2023: | – Launch Toy Librarian of the Year competition – KykNet, DSTV – national TV Prontuit programme TLASA featured with one of their members, Afrika Tikkun – Wings of Life Toy Library in Diepsloot – playing towards sustainability – Two of TLASA’s committee members attended and presented at the International Toy Library Conference in Melbourne – Promoted World Play Day – “Playing towards Sustainability ” – TLASA partnered with Play Africa, Slovo Centre of Excellence and Rotary and hosted a three-day play celebration at Constitutional Hill – TLASA participated in the Mzansi Play Day initiated by Siyadlala Siyafunda – Hosted quarterly seminars and newsletters |
| 2024: | – Committee’s 4R Strategy: Reflect, Reconstruct, Research, Recruit Chief Playmaker (Chairperson) Vice – 28 May – Last World Play Day with the resolution passed by the United Nations for the International Day of Play to be observed on the 11 June 2024– 11 June – International Day of Play – Play Makes A Better World collaboration with Unicef and several Organisations |