Schools and non-government organisations from around Gauteng attended and participated in the event, including Tembisa High School.
Organisers of the event believe that the future belongs to those who have computer knowledge. Although the Hour of Code is a global movement, it enlisted the help of South African non-profit organisation, Change The World Trust, to bring it into the country.
Change The World has an IT academy based in Midrand.
Also read Academy develops IT skills
Hour of code is a global campaign that was established in the USA in 2013 by Code.org to raise awareness about computer science education and it aims to teach people the basic skills of computer science and programming
It has so far impacted over 180 countries and 100 million people across the world. One of the Hour of Code ambassadors is the USA president, Barrack Obama.
Grade 12 pupil Bafana Makhubela from Masisebenze comprehensive school said, “I did 94 lines of code and I’m very exited about the programme. It has made me move 10 steps forward and I encourage everyone to go to the website and create your own apps and games for free.”
“We need to encourage and embrace our South African pupil’s interest in computer science,” said Natalie Emery, co-founder of Change the World Trust. “Every pupil deserves the chance to learn computer science to access the best careers of the 21st century.”
Details: www.hourofcode.co.za; contact@hourofcode.co.za; 011 027 8778.
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