By Sitha Maliwa:
In a modest classroom in Soweto, a quiet revolution is unfolding – one line of code at a time. For too long, digital education has remained out of reach for many learners in South Africa’s under-resourced schools. In a world rapidly shaped by technology, access to reliable internet, modern devices, and structured digital programmes is still a luxury. Yet, thanks to a bold new initiative, the future is beginning to look very different for thousands of young learners.
Enter the Vuma Schools Coders Club – a 10-week programme launched through a powerful partnership between fibre network provider Vuma and the non-profit GirlCode. Focused on bridging the digital divide, the initiative is giving learners from Zola Primary in Soweto and Mthimkhulu Primary in Vosloorus more than just an introduction to tech — it’s giving them a new sense of possibility.
Unlike earlier short-format programmes that targeted only girls, this year’s version is co-ed and designed for depth. Over 10 weeks, 2,000 learners from Grades 5 to 7 will get hands-on with Scratch, HTML, and CSS. Through animation, web design, and interactive storytelling – all centred around this year’s anti-bullying theme – learners are not just acquiring skills, but discovering their voices in the digital world.
“Past phases of the programme have brought out incredible potential in the learners,” says Zinhle Vilakazi, Junior Event Coordinator at GirlCode. “Girls and boys who never imagined themselves in tech are suddenly the ones helping their classmates debug code or build simple web pages. These moments of confidence matter because they open doors that were never even visible before.”
These are not just lessons in coding – they are lessons in courage, creativity, and community. In one particularly moving moment, a teacher at Mthimkhulu Primary noticed an unexpected change in one of her learners.
Vilakazi recalls, “In one session, Miss Masiteng, a teacher at Mthimkhulu Primary School, was surprised when a learner usually disengaged in class became one of the most enthusiastic participants.”
At Zola Primary, the shift has been equally profound. Mr. Mkhatshwa, Head of the Mathematics and Science Department, reflects on the impact: “I’ve seen a remarkable transformation in our computer labs. Our learners are more enthusiastic than ever, and they often share how exciting and enjoyable it is to learn website development. We’re truly grateful to Vuma for equipping our students with valuable coding skills. It’s opened up a whole new world of possibilities for them.”
For Vuma, the goal has never just been about infrastructure – it’s about empowerment.
“We wanted the learners to not just learn code, but to use it in a way that reflects their reality,” explains Taylor Kwong, Head of Marketing at Vuma. “The goal is that they’re able to use tech to tell stories, solve problems, and express themselves, which is, in itself, a form of empowerment.”
This grassroots programme is a powerful reminder that change doesn’t always begin in boardrooms or parliaments. Sometimes, it begins with a 12-year-old building their first website – and realising, maybe for the first time, that a career in tech isn’t just possible, it’s within reach.
The long-term vision? To expand access nationwide, bringing more Vuma-connected schools into the fold and feeding into a broader ecosystem of GirlCode programmes, including advanced masterclasses and Pan-African hackathons.
Because for these young coders, this is just the beginning. The lines of code they write today may well become the building blocks of South Africa’s future tomorrow. – @NewsSA_Online
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