by marketing | Sep 27, 2025 | blog, News @ ORT
The future is digital; and learners in our South32 ORT SA Let Kidz Code program are proving just that! At this year’s Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, Grade 10 learner Melokuhle Ndlozi from Birdswood Secondary wowed the judges with his innovation: a mobile app called Dr Evidence, designed to help users securely store and access important records when they need them most.
His project earned him gold, recognition for his creativity, problem-solving, and the real-world impact of his idea.
“Winning gold at the Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd Expo is a dream come true. Coding and robotics have opened my eyes to endless possibilities, and I hope to inspire others to believe that they too can achieve great things,” — Melokuhle Ndlozi
We couldn’t be prouder! This achievement shows how programs like Let Kidz Code, supported by South32, are unlocking potential and shaping the innovators of tomorrow.
by marketing | Aug 29, 2025 | blog, COVID19, News @ ORT, Old News
This Women’s Month, we celebrate the brilliance, determination, and potential of young girls who are shaping the future of science and technology.
Meet Sheila Mawelele, a remarkable Grade 6 learner from Rebonwe Primary School, whose passion for innovation has already begun to shine on prestigious platforms. Sheila proudly represented her school at the 2025 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists – Regional Round, held at Wits University. Competing alongside top learners from leading schools, Sheila impressed the judges with her confidence, creativity, and scientific excellence.
Her achievement? A Silver Medal and Certificate of Achievement – a testament to her hard work and a symbol of what’s possible when talent is nurtured with opportunity.
Sheila’s journey is a proud moment not only for Rebonwe Primary School (one of our ORT SA Coding & Robotics program alumni schools), but for her entire township community.
As we honour women across the nation this August, we salute young achievers like Sheila who are boldly stepping into the future — one innovation at a time.
by marketing | Aug 29, 2025 | blog, News @ ORT, Old News
ORT SA CEO Ariellah Rosenberg Education and NGO Specialist, Head of Skills and Enterprise Development Ian Jacob, and Project Manager Christopher Dickie, together with members of the ORT SA team, recently visited the ORT SA AGT Foods Africa Mixed Farming Systems Learnership students at the Bohang Mogale Retreat Farm.
The visit was truly inspiring; students proudly showcased the agricultural and communication skills they have developed in such a short space of time. Their progress is a testament to the power of opportunity, education, and mentorship.
The day was highlighted by a generous gifting of seeds from AGT Foods towards the project, a symbolic step towards these young learners literally and figuratively planting a new future.
by marketing | Jul 23, 2025 | blog, News @ ORT
South Africa is facing a growing waste crisis. From overflowing landfills to rising e-waste, the environmental and social costs are becoming harder to ignore. But what if the solution to two of our biggest challenges—waste and unemployment—could actually be one and the same?
At ORT SA, we believe it can.
This Mandela Day, we partnered with Pikitup, Johannesburg’s official waste management service, to explore the connection between environmental responsibility and skills development. What we found was clear: waste isn’t just a problem—it’s a powerful opportunity.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞
Every year, South Africa generates millions of tons of waste—much of it ending up in landfills or illegally dumped in informal settlements. E-waste, in particular, is rising fast, often handled unsafely, causing pollution and health risks.
But the problem isn’t just environmental. Unmanaged waste worsens inequality, especially in under-resourced communities. The cost is paid in both health and lost economic potential.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟔𝐑𝐬: 𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭
During our Mandela Day session, Pikitup introduced the 6Rs:
• Rethink
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Repair
• Recycle
• Respect
These are practical framework for change. Teaching youth to apply the 6Rs doesn’t only shift environmental habits. It opens doors for new ways to earn a living—through recycling businesses, repair workshops, and upcycled product design.
𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬
At ORT SA, our goal is not only to educate but to equip. We teach learners how to take waste and transform it into real-world opportunities:
• A discarded computer becomes a refurbished product
• Old clothing becomes a fashion item
• Broken devices become spare parts or raw materials for new projects
These are not future ideas—they’re skills learners are building now. With proper training and support, waste becomes a resource, not a burden.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞
South African companies are under growing pressure to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets. Partnering with organisations like ORT SA provides a meaningful way to meet these goals through skills development, job creation, and sustainability.
Your business can get involved through:
• Sponsoring skills training programmes
• Employee volunteering
• Joint sustainability campaigns
Let’s turn corporate social responsibility into lasting impact.
𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝
“It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” – Nelson Mandela
We’re calling on corporate South Africa to join us.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤?
💬 What’s one thing your company or community is doing—or could be doing—to turn waste into opportunity?
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below—and may feature your idea in a future post.
📩 Interested in partnering with ORT SA? Email helene@ortsa.org.za to get in touch
by marketing | Jul 14, 2025 | blog, News @ ORT
𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐈 𝐈𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
As a child, I sat at the front of the class—not out of ambition, but necessity. I couldn’t see the chalkboard from the back, and I struggled to focus. That challenge still exists in classrooms today, only now it’s amplified by constant digital distractions. But change is coming.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quietly transforming education—not replacing teachers, but empowering them. From personalized learning to smart tutoring systems, AI is helping students learn at their own pace, and teachers better meet their needs.
𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐈 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
AI: Enables machines to perform human-like tasks such as decision-making and problem-solving.
Machine Learning (ML): Helps systems improve through data.
Large Language Models (LLMs): Like ChatGPT, they generate human-like responses and can tutor, assist, and support students.
Globally, schools are beginning to experiment with AI-powered learning. From Khan Academy’s AI tutor Khanmigo, to Alpha Schools’ flipped classrooms, where mornings focus on personalized AI learning and afternoons on life skills—this shift is redefining what’s possible in education.
𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦
AI saves teachers time on admin and lesson planning—up to 6 hours a week—freeing them to focus on teaching and mentoring. When supported by training and clear policy, the impact grows even more. Teachers using AI report creating better, more inclusive materials tailored to student needs.
𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
Despite its promise, AI raises critical concerns: data privacy, algorithmic bias, and equitable access. If we’re not careful, these tools could widen the gap they aim to close. Education must remain human-centred, and tech must serve all students—not just those with access.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
The classroom of tomorrow isn’t about robots—it’s about real connection, supported by smart tools. It’s a place where feedback is instant, learning is personalized, and teachers are valued.
To get there, we need investment in infrastructure, training, and inclusive policy. The most powerful force in education is still the human one—and with the right support, AI can help educators and learners thrive.
by marketing | Jun 25, 2025 | blog, News @ ORT
South Africa commemorated Youth Day; a time to reflect on the courage of those who came before us, and the boundless potential of those who are here now.
At ORT SA, we want every young person to remember this: You have power.
Power to choose.
Power to change.
Power to grow.
In a world that often feels uncertain, one thing remains true: the future will belong to those who are ready for it. And being ready doesn’t mean having all the answers, it means taking one step at a time. It means choosing to learn something new, to upskill, to invest in yourself, even when the odds seem stacked against you.
We know things are difficult. Jobs are scarce. Data is expensive. Opportunities are unequal. But difficult does not mean impossible.
The first step might be a short course in digital literacy. A CV you finally complete. A coding class. A workshop. A bold email you send. Every one of those steps plants a seed.
Because autonomy is power, and when you take control of your learning, you take control of your life.
Let’s honour Youth Day not just by looking back, but by moving forward.
Choose growth. Choose action. Choose you.
ORT SA is here to walk the journey with you. We believe in the strength of South African youth, and we’re building programs to help you turn potential into progress.
The future is not something you wait for. It’s something you build.
Start today.
