By THABO MOTLHABI
YOUNG South Africans showcased their technological skills at the second annual Robo Rumble STEM Innovation Competition, celebrating months of preparation and the achievements of aspiring engineers.
The five-month journey leading up to the event included roadshows at schools, universities and TVET colleges across Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, giving students opportunities to develop their skills and prepare for the competition.
Supported by partners, including NJ and the University of Limpopo, the event brought together participants who competed in Robot Wars, Open Innovation, autonomous car racing and drone racing.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement as contestants demonstrated their creativity, technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities. Winners celebrated their achievements, with the overall winner receiving R10 000 in prize money.
Donnel Muchinguri, Partnerships and Projects Lead at AlgoAtWork, said the initiative aimed to encourage young people to embrace technology and become job creators rather than job seekers.
“It has been a celebration of the talent in our country,” he said.
Muchinguri said the competition was about more than winning prizes, encouraging participants to experiment, learn from failure and apply technology to real-world challenges.
He also called on the public and private sectors, as well as academic institutions, to support programmes that equip young people with relevant technological skills.
He said developing critical thinking and technical abilities from an early age could help prepare a generation of skilled young people to contribute to South Africa’s economic and technological future.
