In preparation for the upcoming World Robotics Olympiad, Raymond Mhlaba School of Specialisation played host to a robotics-friendly practice day on July 31.

Held in partnership with Letsibogo Girls School of Specialisation, the day brought together like-minded learners passionate about coding, engineering, and technology.

Through hands-on activities, they sharpened their skills, tackling challenges from intricate coding lines to troubleshooting spinning wheels.

This collaborative effort was a crucial step in readying the learners for the national finals in September and the international finals set to take place in November.

Zama September, a teacher in the information and technology department at Raymond Mhlaba School, said that the World Robotics Olympiad fosters an interest in learners when it comes to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“The World Robotics Olympiad introduces learners to 21st century skills – problem-solving, analytical skills, and collaboration skills because they will be working together. We just started with robotics, and our learners have been working so hard. So, this exposure will benefit our learners, and they will learn from other schools, and it will excite them even more,” she explained.

Realeboga Mangena, a Grade Nine learner at Raymond Mhlaba School, said the mentorship – during this practice competition – convinced him he is on the right path by wanting to become a software developer.

“I think the whole of South Africa must know robotics because as the years go by, our world is coming into (the age of) AI, which will be running the world soon,” he said.

Talent Moyo, a Grade 10 learner at Letsibogo Girls School, said the practice session was fun and competitive.

“We have the potential. We have learnt from our mistakes – because our robot was not strong enough, but the coding was exactly what we wanted it to be. And we are now going to build something even stronger because we now know our weaknesses,” she said.

“If this practice day is anything to go by, South Africa’s got some rising stars ready to take the global tech stage by storm,” said Michael Collins, the general manager of local tech company BET Software, which is a proud supporter and sponsor of Raymond Mhlaba School.

After the day, the learners left feeling ready for the Olympiad and understanding the impact they are making as the next generation of tech trailblazers.