A team of talented learners from eight Eastern Cape schools was selected to represent the province at the national robotics competition, scheduled to take place at the Yamaha Theatre in Sandton, Johannesburg, on June 16.
The provincial champions, comprising students from Chapman, Gelvandale High School, Lawson Brown, Linkside, Paterson, St James, St Thomas, and Uitenhage High School, earned their spots after demonstrating exceptional skills in robotics, programming, and problem-solving during regional competitions.
Kenneth Prins, the Eastern Cape Regional Coordinator, played an integral role in selecting the participating schools and guiding them through their preparation.
The young innovators worked tirelessly for months, dedicating countless hours to perfecting their robotics projects and programming skills.
“These bright young minds worked tirelessly to earn their spot and were ready to showcase their innovation, teamwork and tech skills on the national stage,” said a spokesperson for the initiative.
“We were immensely proud of their journey and eager to see what they would achieve next.”
As part of their preparation for the national competition, organisers sought community support to provide custom hoodies for each team member, calling on local businesses and individuals to sponsor the team’s apparel.
The selection marked an exciting chapter in STEM education for the Eastern Cape, which participated in the Eastern Cape 100 Teams Initiative launched by SpringBotsSouthAfrica.
The programme was designed to foster skills in robotics, programming, and critical thinking, with the aim of placing the province on the educational innovation map.
According to organisers, the initiative aligned perfectly with South Africa’s broader goals of advancing STEM education and preparing learners for the challenges of a technology-driven world.
The programme focused on developing practical skills that would serve students well in future careers across various industries.
Plans to expand the programme to other schools and stakeholders were already in the pipeline at the time of the announcement, with SpringBotsSouthAfrica welcoming collaborations from educational institutions, businesses, and government entities interested in promoting technological literacy among young South Africans.
