TELKOM FOUNDATION LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
Levelling the playing fields between rural and urban schools is fundamental to South Africa achieving and sustaining the socio-economic growth and financial inclusion we are striving for, and Telkom Foundation believes that coding, as our 12th official language, would help achieve just that.
Teaching the 12th official language, coding
The Telkom Foundation launched the Connected Schools project in 2017, pledging over R200 million over a 5-year period with a focus on using technology to improve the quality of Mathematics, Science and English education in order to open-up opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
SAINC travelled to the Eastern Cape and Gauteng to see some of this work in action and to meet the inspiring students and passionate stakeholders making this opportunity a reality.
Being introduced to the Telkom Foundation Saturday school and coding program has unlocked a whole new world for BB Beya, a computer whiz kid who has reconnected with his academic aspirations. Likewise, Asemahle, a bright young spark who created a bus ticket app as part of the Telkom Foundation programming course.
The program provides fully connected labs and device access, equipping educators to better empower their learners, and learners to become skilled to operate in a technological world… but also to learn the resilience and receive the social support needed for their holistic personal development.
Telkom Foundation also provides access to bursaries to ensure that those opportunities are accessed and optimised to the fullest; helping to facilitate the emergence of a new and powerful generation of South African innovation.
Ndiphiwe Kona, IT teacher at Khwezi Lomso Comprehensive School
President Masango, Algorithm Institute
Students attending the supplementary coding club
Sarah Mthintso, Head of Telkom Foundation
Students attending Saturday coding classes as an extra subject
Students eager to learn coding, the 12th language
