By Levy Masiteng
A new robotics and artificial intelligence lab at Siyabonga Secondary School in Soweto will give learners access to coding, robotics, AI and career-readiness training.
The lab was launched in May through a partnership between the Shoprite Foundation and the Trevor Noah Foundation. It will serve as a continuation pathway for learners in the area, with nearby Moses Kotane Primary School already operating a robotics lab.
The programme will provide Grade 8 and 9 learners with curriculum-aligned coding and robotics lessons during school hours. Grade 10 to 12 learners will take part in an after-school programme focused on artificial intelligence and career readiness.
Learners and educators will also use technologies such as motion sensors, microcontrollers and smart devices that can detect movement, respond to inputs and communicate data.
“Robotics is no longer a niche area in education – it’s a rapidly growing field reshaping how young people learn and engage with technology globally,” said Shoprite Foundation Director Maude Modise.
“By bringing labs like this into South African schools, we aim to support learners to step confidently into the future. Technology is already part of their everyday lives, but these skills are essential to help them unlock the opportunities and innovation it brings.”
According to the Trevor Noah Foundation, the Siyabonga lab is its fifth robotics lab in Gauteng under its Khulani Schools programme.
The foundation said the placement of the lab in the same community as Moses Kotane Primary School would allow learners to continue building coding and robotics skills from primary school into high school.
“We believe every learner deserves access to the tools, skills and educational pathways they need to thrive. By creating spaces where learners can explore, experiment and build real-world skills, we are helping young people imagine new possibilities for themselves and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to their communities,” Trevor Noah Foundation Communications Manager Olona Tywabi said.
The partnership brings together the Trevor Noah Foundation’s school development work and the Shoprite Foundation’s support for education-focused projects. The Shoprite-backed foundation is now supporting its seventh robotics lab, following earlier launches this year in Dullstroom in Mpumalanga and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape.
Educational partner Sifiso EdTech will oversee curriculum support, teacher training and programme implementation.
“Learners will use coding and robotics to tackle real-world community challenges such as designing safety systems and monitoring soil and water use in school gardens,” said Head of Digital Learning and Technology Xoliswa Mahlangu.
