Tana Malinga
SOWETO has taken a bold step into the future following the official launch of the new Coding and Robotics Centre at Igugu Primary School in Mofolo South, a transformative initiative spearheaded by iSchoolAfrica in partnership with iStore Education.
The launch, attended by Deputy Minister Nomusa Dube-Ncube, marked a major milestone in bringing world-class digital education directly into township classrooms.
But for Igugu Primary, the journey began long before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Since 2020, the school has been part of the iSchoolAfrica family through initiatives including digital library programmes and iPad-integrated learning. The newly launched centre now takes that partnership to another level with refurbished learning spaces, iPads, coding and robotics equipment, teacher training, mentorship programmes and Apple’s “Everyone Can Code” curriculum powered through Swift programming.
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Michelle Lissoos : ( Director: iStore Education & iSchoolAfrica ) said the programme is about creating sustainable opportunities that empower both educators and learners with future-ready STEM and digital skills.
The centre was also equipped with flexible learning tables donated by Apple and repurposed specifically for the new innovation hub.
Addressing guests during the launch, Dube-Ncube described the centre as “a launchpad” for future innovators, stressing that coding, robotics and artificial intelligence are now critical languages of the future.
“ is a language. Robotics is a language. Artificial Intelligence is a language,” she said.
Igugu Primary School principal Sonto Tshabalala welcomed the launch as a life-changing investment for the school community, saying the initiative opens doors for learners who previously had limited access to advanced digital learning opportunities.
The programme also aligns with iSchoolAfrica’s multi-colour ribbon campaign, which promotes equal access to quality education in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4.
More than just a new classroom, the centre represents a powerful partnership between iSchoolAfrica, iStore, educators, parents, learners and the wider Soweto community, all united by a shared vision of building an inclusive digital future for South Africa’s youth.
