Young South African innovators are taking centre stage in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition, where grade 10 and 11 learners from underserved communities are working on prototypes to address societal challenges.
The competition, which officially launched in January 2023, aims to empower youth and develop their skills in the information communication technology sector, aligning with the country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution agenda.
Before entering the prototype phase, participating learners underwent Design Thinking workshops in May 2023 to equip them with essential skills. These workshops taught them how to approach problem-solving creatively, think critically, and act like designers. Learners also learned about building effective teams and conducting research to transform their ideas into workable solutions for their communities.
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Finalists Gear Up for Prototypes
The finalist schools, located in the provinces of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo, are now in the prototype development phase, which runs until the end of September 2023. They are working on diverse solutions for their communities, including sustainable road construction, addressing basic needs during power outages, alternative water and electricity solutions, and clean water access.
Learners are enthusiastic about their projects and the competition. Igoline Coelho, a grade 11 learner from Mbilwi Secondary School in Limpopo, expressed determination: “Ours is a very simple solution but with the potential for a high impact. We hope it can catch on and be used by many other communities. We are a very competitive team and are determined to win the competition.”
Keabetswe Malaza from Maphuthaditshaba Secondary School in Mpumalanga emphasised the broader impact: “Our solution will help households and small enterprises, so it will also have an impact on the local economy.”
Amahle Skhosana from Adams College in KwaZulu-Natal highlighted the learning opportunities: “Using science, technology, engineering, and maths to solve our community’s problem has excited the entire team.”
Sbongile Zulu from Buhlebemfundo Secondary School in Gauteng mentioned motivation: “We are determined to do well in this competition because if we win, the prize is double – we get to solve a problem in our community and also get an awesome prize for our school.”
Empowering Youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition aims to increase interest and proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) among South African learners. “As the learners enter this critical stage of the competition, we are getting excited and looking forward to seeing all the solutions they come up with,” said Hlubi Shivanda, Director for Business Operations of Innovation and Corporate Affairs at Samsung.
The winning school will receive R100,000 worth of STEM equipment, with second and third places awarded R50,000 and R30,000 worth of STEM equipment for their schools, respectively. Additionally, each learner in the top three teams will receive a Samsung device. The final presentations will take place on October 3, 2023, with the winner announcement on October 4, 2023, at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre.
About the Solve for Tomorrow Competition
Samsung‘s Solve for Tomorrow competition launched in South Africa in 2023 and focuses on empowering youth, particularly those from underserved communities, to engage with STEM fields and contribute innovative solutions to local challenges. The competition consists of multiple phases, including workshops, prototype development, and final presentations, with valuable prizes for schools and learners involved.
