The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), in partnership with the Shoprite Foundation, launched their first jointly funded robotics laboratory at the Siyifunile Secondary School in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga on 12 March. The lab will providestudents with hands-on experience in robotics and digital literacy, supporting future-ready learning across the region.

The initiative forms part of a broader effort to expand access to technology-enabledlearning in underserved communities and strengthen digital literacy within the schooling system.

Chief Economist and Group Executive: Strategy and Sustainability at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Zeph Nhleko stated, “This initiative ismore than the handover of a lab; it is the activation of a transformative ecosystem that integrates infrastructure, digital skills development and community empowerment.”

“We believe infrastructure must create opportunity. Through partnerships that combine our catalytic capital with partners’ technical expertise, we are helping equipyoung people with the digital skills they need to participate in a technology-driven economy,” added Nhleko.

The collaboration brings together the Shoprite Foundation’s experience in educationand youth development with the DBSA’s development mandate to support long-term social and digital infrastructure that expands learning opportunities for young people.

According to Maude Modise, Director of the Shoprite Foundation, the Mpumalanga labforms

part of the Foundation’s broader education and skills development strategy.

“Expanding our robotics programme into Mpumalanga strengthens our focus on building digital capability within the schooling system, building on the four labs already established in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape,” says Modise. “We are intentional about creating interventions that support progression through high school rather than isolated exposure.”

“The aim is to establish a clear learning track that develops problem-solving, digitalfluency and future-facing skills in a sustained way,” she adds.

The lab introduces a structured learning pathway from Grade 8 through to matric.Grades 8 and 9 will follow curriculum-aligned Coding and Robotics within the formalschool timetable, while Grades 10 to 12 will participate in an after-schoolprogramme focused on artificial intelligence, innovation and career readiness.

Implementation of the programme is supported by technology education partners Sifiso EdTech and Social Coding South Africa. Sifiso EdTech is responsible for curriculum alignment, educator training and integrating Coding and Robotics into theGrades 8 and 9 timetable in line with CAPS requirements. Social Coding South Africa delivers the DBSA-supported after-school AI and career readiness programme for Grades 10 to 12, guiding learners through applied projects, innovation challenges and exposure to technology competitions and workplace environments.

“Every element of the lab is designed to be technically sound and integrated into the school timetable,” says Xoliswa Mahlangu, Head of Digital Learning and Technology at Sifiso EdTech.

“Our modules develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication and computer literacy, ensuring the lab becomes an active learning environment,” added Thembiso Magajana, Founder of Social Coding South Africa.

The launch underscores the shared commitment of the DBSA and the Shoprite Foundation to expanding access to digital learning opportunities and equipping learners with practical, future-oriented skills that prepare them for participation in South Africa’s evolving digital economy.