Sitting here, watching Tangible Africa breaking the record feels like being at the Silverstone Circuit, witnessing the F1 British Grand Prix. As a fan of their work, I have been observing the remarkable journey of Tangible Africa, an initiative that has been making waves across the continent and beyond. The highlight of their recent efforts was the #Coding4Mandela tournament held on July 18th, a day dedicated to honouring Nelson Mandela’s legacy through the empowerment of young minds. This event brought together more than 30,000 learners from various sites across Africa and Indonesia, all eager to showcase their coding prowess.
Reaching this milestone was a dream come true for Professor Jean Greyling, head of the Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences Department. He had long envisioned an event that would engage 30,000 young people, especially in celebration of 30 years of democracy in South Africa. His challenge to the Tangible Africa team was met with extraordinary success, as the tournament not only met but exceeded expectations by reaching 32,000 learners.
The impact of the tournament was felt far beyond the numbers. Participants from other African countries were equally enthusiastic about being part of this movement. Abdallah Aziiz, a Tangible Africa facilitator from Uganda, captured the essence of the event: "The Coding4Mandela tournament was monumental, not only for the schools and learners but for parents as well. They watched their children critically and brilliantly tackle challenging levels with ease and enjoyment. It was inspiring to see parents and teachers ready to support their children in this journey."
The final statistics are nothing short of impressive: two continents, 85 sites, 600 schools, and 32,000 learners. Tangible Africa envisions an even bigger coding movement each July, and they are extending an open invitation to organizations willing to partner with them to make this vision a reality. Their efforts are bolstered by the support of key sponsors like Dutoit, whose partnership is helping Tangible Africa reach new heights.
But the team did not rest on their laurels after this incredible achievement. They immediately embarked on a journey to the USA, where they continued to spread the message of Tangible Africa. Ryan le Roux, CEO of Leva Foundation, reported on the first leg of their trip: “We spent the week presenting Tangible workshops at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Seattle and introduced our coding tools to a network of schools in Washington, DC. It’s been an incredible experience to see AWS employees engage with our games with such enthusiasm and fun.”
Jean Greyling, always eager to expand Tangible Africa’s impact, relishes the question, "Do you have the capacity to?" This question, often posed during their presentations, is a testament to the growing interest in their work and the potential for future partnerships.
Roux Joubert, Director of Amazon Web Services South Africa, echoed the importance of Tangible Africa’s mission: "Mandela Day represents so much of South Africa's spirit over the last 20 years. Amazon has been here for the past two decades, and it's been a fantastic opportunity for us to be part of this community and invest in this beautiful country. We've benefited greatly from the incredible talent that has emerged from South Africa, and we're excited to help nurture the next generation of innovators who will change the world. Watching the kids play with Tangible Africa’s puzzle pieces, learning logic and problem-solving, is a reminder of the essential building blocks for success—not just in computer science, but in life."
The story of Tangible Africa demonstrates the power of teamwork and the significant impact that can be achieved when communities and organizations collaborate. As they continue to broaden their reach, they extend an invitation to new partners to join them in empowering the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. The question remains: Who will help them realize their vision? The answer is still open.