Two Limpopo learner teams qualified to represent South Africa at the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge grand final in Geneva. Robo-Kidz came from Mashupye Tladi Primary School, while Roborise represented Bokamoso Secondary School.
Their achievement shows what becomes possible when learners have sustained access to coding, robotics equipment, mentoring and opportunities to test their ideas. The Department of Basic Education said coding and robotics pilots had been phased in since 2021, while about 90,000 Limpopo learners benefit annually through the Mathematics, Science and Technology grant.
Competition success is worth celebrating, but the larger prize is a wider learning pipeline. Schools need trained teachers, maintained equipment and time for practical problem-solving so that robotics is not limited to a few exceptional teams.