GirlCode, a non-profit organisation dedicated to teaching young people how to code, has partnered with Vuma, South Africa’s largest fibre network operator, to launch a multi-school coding tour in Gauteng, South Africa. This collaborative initiative aims to further gender equality in the tech industry and provide young girls with essential digital skills. This exciting project will see Vuma provide fibre infrastructure and funding to help introduce three hundred learners from three schools in Soweto and Eldorado Park to the world of coding. This will hopefully ignite their potential to make a positive impact on the world.
Tapiwa Muza, Project Manager at GirlCode, says, “South Africa, like many other countries, faces a shortage of coding skills, especially among women. To help address that, we created a programme that addresses that gender gap and encourages both girls and boys to explore coding and technology. Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment that empowers individuals from all backgrounds to enter and excel in traditionally underrepresented fields.”
Coding has become a language of the future and with the rise of artificial intelligence, it will only become more important. By introducing coding to young learners at primary school age, GirlCode and Vuma are sowing the seeds of curiosity, innovation, and problem-solving abilities that will shape their futures. Coding skills empower students to think critically, approach challenges creatively, and build resilience, all of which are vital attributes for success in an increasingly digital world.
“The tour seeks to foster a sense of community among participants interested in coding. It further aims to connect them with like-minded individuals, mentors, and professionals who can provide guidance, support, and networking opportunities, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing,” says Muza.
She adds, “This emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing is crucial in promoting the importance of coding education and addressing barriers to access, particularly in schools with limited coding resources”.
All three hundred students will receive comprehensive instruction in fundamental coding skills, empowering them to unleash their creativity and transform their ideas into captivating interactive stories, games, and animations. The fibre infrastructure and funding provided by Vuma will help empower both GirlCode and the kids they teach to build brighter futures for themselves. As they acquire this knowledge during the coding tour, Muza and her team hope they will be proficient enough to share it with their peers and create a ripple effect of learning and inspiration in their communities.
“As schools that serve under-resourced communities, we know the transformative value and potential for change that teaching coding can bring. Unfortunately, accessing the necessary support to provide this type of education has always been challenging, resulting in the disparity between us and schools with more resources. This programme will go a long way toward closing that gap,” says Ms Ryan, the Natural Sciences and Mathematics teacher at Milnerton Primary School in Eldorado Park.
The partnership between GirlCode and Vuma highlights the importance of collaboration to drive social impact. As a leading fibre network operator, Vuma is perfectly positioned to provide infrastructural support to the initiative. Everyone involved recognises the necessity of equipping young learners with digital skills that are in high demand and by joining forces these organisations are taking a proactive stance in promoting inclusivity within the tech sector.
Taylor Kwong, CSI and Marketing Manager at Vuma concludes, “We live in an increasingly digital world and having coding skills will be crucial for young South Africans who want to thrive in that world. We want to make sure that the only barrier between a young person and the opportunities the digital revolution presents, is the size of their imagination.”