Promoting Digital Literacy: SAS Supports the #Coding4Mandela Competition

The annual #Coding4Mandela Tournament, held in commemoration of Mandela Day and organized in partnership with Tangible Africa—a collaborative initiative between Nelson Mandela University and the Leva Foundation—endeavors to foster a keen interest in coding among young learners. This event leverages the Tangible Tournament App to impart coding knowledge without the requirement for computers, thereby enhancing the accessibility of digital education.

"We are thrilled to have SAS onboard again as one of our key sponsors for the #Coding4Mandela Tournament,” says Jackson Tshabalala, Engagement Manager at the Leva Foundation. “Today’s event aims to equip 30,000 learners with vital problem-solving skills, bridging the digital divide, and honouring the legacy of Nelson Mandela. By igniting potential and impacting tomorrow, we are not only celebrating Mandela's vision but also empowering the next generation to shape a brighter future through digital literacy."

“At SAS, we believe that the key to a brighter future lies in nurturing the talents and aspirations of our youth. Our continued support for the #Coding4Mandela Tournament underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and inclusivity in the digital world. By investing in these young minds, we are paving the way for the next generation of tech leaders and problem solvers,” says Essie Mokgonyana, SAS Country Manager & Sales Director for South Africa.

SAS's role and contributions

In addition to its lead event sponsorship, SAS has generously donated Rangers coding kits developed by Tangible Africa to the Amy Foundation. These kits offer an engaging and interactive platform for students to continue practicing and developing their coding skills beyond the tournament. Furthermore, Tangible Africa is providing online training sessions to ensure educators and students can effectively utilize these kits, thereby promoting digital literacy and bridging the digital divide.

Siyabonga Ngqame, the After School Programme Manager at the Amy Foundation, states that: “We are proud to partner with SAS in the #Coding4Mandela Tournament. This initiative not only honours Nelson Mandela's legacy but also equips our youth, ages 5 to 18 from disadvantaged communities, with crucial digital skills. Through our after-school programmes, we are fostering a brighter future through education and innovation.”

"The #Coding4Mandela Tournament is more than an opportunity to teach computational thinking to young learners through gamification," says André Zitzke, Manager - Global Academic Programmes for Africa at SAS. "It’s an opportunity to cultivate the digital skills ecosystem of the future by empowering teachers as well."

A day of learning and celebration

Eighty learners from seventeen schools in Diepsloot, Johannesburg attended on the day, reflecting the commitment of the sponsors – including SAS - to provide young people with the skills needed to participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). "Digital skills like those we aim to develop through this initiative are crucial to ensure South Africa’s youth have inclusive access to opportunities, now and in the future," says Zitzke.

Future-proofing through digital education

Zitzke also emphasised the importance of adapting to new technologies: "Young people looking to future-proof themselves must seek out and grasp opportunities to learn new skills. For SAS, becoming involved in initiatives like this one is an important part of enabling their sustainability and ours through skills development.

The #Coding4Mandela Tournament not only aims to reach 30,000 learners across the continent but also aims to reshape Africa's narrative, empowering youth through education. It signals the potential to reshape Africa's narrative to be the architects of its own advancement.