Friday, May 18, 2018

We Code, We Rise, We shine, We are DigiGirlz

DigiGirlz and Scratch Day Event 
Mpumalanga ICT Club hosted one of the powerful event in town called DigiGirlz and Scratch Day on the 12 May 2018, at Nkangala Tvet College, Witbank Campus. Grade 9 girls from Zacheus Malaza, TP Sililo, Ilanga, Sibukosethu, Nkonjane, Tshwenyane Schools Witbank Campus IT faculty including the Roman Catholic Church youth attended the event


Thandi helping DigiGirlz on Minecraft Hour of Code 
DigiGirlz aimed at motivating young girls into IT careers and hands on experience in Computer Science popular known as Coding.The girls were fortunate to interact with Microsoft employees, getting to know where they come from, what studies they went through and what are the requirement for the courses, their day to day work at Microsoft South Africa.


“Township schools and poor background must not define your future destiny but your academic achievements especially in Mathematics and Sciences  can make you rise above all” said Ms Khutso Malungane during the motivational session. She actually came from a remote, dusty village in Limpopo and works for Microsoft South Africa. The girls also interacted with Ms Londiwe Mdluli  age 23, from  Microsoft South Africa also from Limpopo province and Maudi Ramaboea

The girls showered our guests with poetry, dance and songs. SchoolnetSA was represented by Megan Rademeyer who actually made this event a success. “ thank you, you are wonderful, shine followed by thunder of applause" thats how the guests and presenters were applauded.

“We actually wanted to see all schools in the Nkangala District and beyond participating in DigiGirlz and Scratch events but we have limited resources” said Ms Nomusa Keninda who is the founder of  the Mpumalanga ICT  Club and an ELearning Specialist, also a Microsoft Innovation Educator Expert (MIEExpert)
Khutso Malungane and Nomusa Keninda


“Girls who are exposed to IT careers and role models are likely to take up STEM subjects” alluded Megan. This event was indeed a powerful idea  and looking forward to host more. The girls were afforded an opportunity to learn Coding on the Hour of Code platform and Scratch. It was a busy day for Nomusa Keninda and her team of volunteers helping girls to Code while others from Witbank Campus hospitality studies were preparing food for the girls. Thanks to Vuyokazi chef leader on campus.

Nomzamo Makhotha helping DigiGirlz on Scratch