Founder
Dr Mary James

Visionary, Educator & Leader

Mary James is the Founding Director of LETCEE, and a nationally respected leader in Early Childhood Development (ECD). Her journey began in 1991, with the establishment of the first non-racial preschool in Greytown, followed by the founding of LETCEE in 1993, to train rural women in ECD. What started with six trainees, has grown into a model of excellence, reaching over 2,000 children annually and training hundreds of practitioners across KwaZulu-Natal. Under Mary’s leadership, LETCEE developed a holistic, community-driven approach to early learning, one that integrates play, nutrition, income generation, and caregiver support.

Mary holds an honorary Doctorate in Education, and has received recognition from UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, and the Department of Education for her innovative, inclusive model. Her deep belief in empowering communities from within. Today, she continues to mentor the team and guide the organisation’s vision, leaving behind a legacy rooted in compassion, equity, and transformative early childhood care.