Young tech minds from across the Western Cape recently converged at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to compete in one of the province’s most anticipated youth tech events—the regional round of the World Robot Olympiad (WRO). Held at the Jakes Gerwel Hall, the event drew learners as young as 9 years old, all eager to prove their robotics mettle on a competitive stage.
More than just a display of flashing sensors and moving parts, the competition challenged participants to demonstrate real-time problem-solving and programming skills. Robots, built in advance by the learners, were coded on-site to complete intricate obstacle course missions—maneuvering, lifting, and relocating objects with precise instructions coded by their young operators.
“This is not just play—it’s applied learning,” said Cedric Esterhuizen, Chairperson of the WRO Western Cape. “The kids are using coding concepts taught in classrooms and applying them in high-pressure, real-world scenarios. And everything must be done on the day—we delete any preloaded programmes to ensure the competition is fair.”
The Olympiad featured the Explorer Lite and Explorer Prime divisions, specifically designed for younger participants under the age of 15. Learners used block-based programming languages such as Scratch, and in some cases MicroPython, depending on the robot kits being used. Popular models like Lego EV3 and Spike Prime were seen across the venue.
While the coding was serious, the atmosphere remained festive and inclusive. A team of Grade 4 girls from Hermanus Primary brought a creative flair to the hall, sporting bunny ear headbands as they tackled complex robotics challenges with remarkable focus.
The event was hosted by UWC’s Faculty of Education, which has actively promoted STEM education and established its own robotics club in 2022. “Since launching our robotics programme, we’ve seen a growing interest in digital education,” said Dr Anthony Williams, manager of the Richard van der Ross Resource Centre and master of ceremonies for the event.
Dr Williams also highlighted South Africa’s rising prominence in global robotics competitions. “From finishing second in Russia in 2014 to securing top-20 positions in Turkey just last year, South African learners continue to prove that they can compete with the best in the world.”
This regional event marks the first step toward the national finals—and potentially the global stage in Singapore, where this year’s international showdown will take place in November.
Beyond the trophies and rankings, the competition served as a powerful reminder of the potential that lies within South Africa’s classrooms. With support from educators, families, and institutions like UWC, learners are gaining the tools they need to shape the digital world—not years from now, but today.
