Watch: Robotics team conquer Senegal after winning nationals

The team has been participating in robotics since 2017. They have won several awards including provincial accolades for robot design, an innovation project and advanced programming.

June 23, 2022

Lebohang Pita 2 minutes read

The Willowmoore High School robotics team members are Muhammed Yusuf Ally, Abdullah Suliman, Terry Gumbi, Luke Chetty (captain), Kellina Mariquele, Mrs Sagree Moodley (mentor and educator), Zainaaz Hansa (mentor), Beyonce Magagula and Sharon Sithole. Absent: Millan Munowarindzwa, Dinal Nagar and John Tshibambe.

The Willowmoore High School’s robotics team, SB DECRYPTORS, will represent South Africa at the Pan-African Robotics Competition (PARC) 2022 in Senegal in July.

This comes after the team was recognised as having the best mentorship and core values out of 46 robotics teams in South Africa at the First Lego League (FLL) South African National Championship. They were then nominated to submit their project research overseas and received two invitations to represent the country at PARC 2022.

“Growing up as Generation Z in 21st century science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has revolutionised our experience of the world. Our robotics team members all have a rigorous passion for STEM, which catapults us into the ever-changing dimensions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR),” said team mentor Zainaaz Hansa.

Hansa and Captain Luke Chetty have played an instrumental role in leading the team and helping to overcome challenges they have experienced throughout their development.

“When I first heard about robotics, I joined the team because of my love for engineering. I didn’t know that it would impact my life to such a degree that I felt lost and confused. However, I quickly adapted to working with the team and this improved my social skills and the way I perceive life,” Chetty said.

The Willowmoore High School’s SB DECRYPTORS Muhammed Yusuf Ally, Abdullah Suliman, Terry Gumbi, Luke Chetty (captain), Kellina Mariquele, Zainaaz Hansa (mentor), Beyonce Magagula and Sharon Sithole. Absent: Millan Munowarindzwa, Dinal Nagar and John Tshibambe.

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According to PARC Robotics, the programme prepares the youth to use science and technology to address social challenges by using real-world topics relevant to STEM and the sustainable development of Africa.

SB DECRYPTORS will participate in the Makers League category where they will be challenged to end hunger in Africa by utilising science and engineering to develop solutions that increase food security and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2), which aims to achieve zero hunger by 2030.

Hansa explained that despite robotics being centred on science and technology, the FLL and PARC programmes have helped them get in touch with their community by understanding and finding solutions to the problems affecting them.

The robot SB DECRYPTORS created for the Full Lego League competition.

“Throughout the provincial athletes for robot design and innovation projects where we have to design, find a real-life problem and a solution to it, these leagues have required us to think.

“They don’t want you to be science-orientated only but also require you to have core values, be street smart and think problem-solving because who are you if you are the smartest person without the values that take you further?”

The team, sponsored by Sci-Bono, has been participating in robotics since 2017. They have won several awards, including provincial accolades for robot design, innovation projects and advanced programming.

“The team has started with intense preparation for the competition. We wish them all the best of luck as they embark on this exciting journey to Senegal,” said mentor Sagree Moodley.

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