Banking institution Standard Bank kicks off coding competition labeled STEAM in KwaZulu-Natal, aiming to close the digital gap.
In a bid to foster future-ready talent and contribute to South Africa's technical growth, Standard Bank Group Technology has launched the Kuunda STEAM initiative in partnership with the Kuunda Disrupt Programme and Gordon Road Girls School. This innovative program targets under-resourced primary schools, specifically 21 quintile 4 and 5 schools in KwaZulu-Natal, to provide learners with hands-on experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) through a coding challenge.
The Kuunda STEAM initiative equips these schools with Raspberry Pi and Microbit kits and assigns technical mentors to guide learners through monthly coding modules. The program culminates in a STEAM graduation event where students present projects designed to benefit their schools or communities.
The Kuunda Disrupt Programme, a partner in this venture, has a successful track record, having launched STEAM academies in other regions such as Zambia, Botswana, Mpumalanga, and Eastern Cape. Alumni from these academies have won national competitions and introduced robotics as a subject.
This initiative is part of Standard Bank Group Technology’s broader effort to bridge the digital divide and cultivate future-ready talent in South Africa. By providing access to digital technology and education in schools that previously lacked IT labs, coding, or robotics programs, the Kuunda STEAM initiative encourages curiosity, creativity, and confidence in learners who might otherwise be excluded from the digital economy.
Moreover, the program helps address South Africa’s shortage of skilled technology professionals by nurturing a diverse pool of technical talent from an early age. It's not just about coding; the Kuunda STEAM initiative encompasses a broader STEAM approach, fostering a well-rounded understanding of these key subjects.
The STEAM Coding challenge, launched in KwaZulu-Natal, combines 126 learners from 21 schools for a hands-on STEAM experience. This is the second major STEAM partnership in the region, part of Standard Bank Group Technology's broader commitment to bridging the digital divide.
Past participants of the Kuunda Disrupt programme have gone on to achieve great things, securing sponsorships for further development and introducing robotics as a subject. In 2024, the program empowered 18 schools in KwaZulu-Natal, demonstrating its impact.
The STEAM Hackathon aims to spark curiosity and creativity among learners from schools lacking IT labs, coding, or robotics education. The initiative builds confidence and creates pathways for learners who might otherwise be excluded from the digital economy.
The STEAM graduation, scheduled for 21 November 2025, will be a celebration of these learners' innovations that benefit their schools or communities. The Kuunda STEAM initiative is a direct extension of Standard Bank Group Technology's mission to address the critical shortage of skilled professionals in technology and to nurture future-ready talent in South Africa.
The Kuunda STEAM initiative targets under-resourced schools to ensure that no learner is left behind in the digital economy. With partners like the Kuunda Disrupt Programme and Gordon Road Girls School, the initiative is set to make a significant impact in the lives of many young South Africans, empowering them to become the tech leaders of tomorrow.
- The Kuunda STEAM initiative, jointly launched by Standard Bank Group Technology, the Kuunda Disrupt Programme, and Gordon Road Girls School, aims to equip under-resourced primary schools with technology tools and mentorship to foster a well-rounded understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.
- In line with Standard Bank Group Technology's broader efforts to bridge the digital divide and cultivate future-ready talent, the STEAM Coding challenge brings together 126 learners from 21 schools in KwaZulu-Natal for a hands-on STEAM experience, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and confidence in learners at an early age.
- By providing access to digital technology and education in schools that previously lacked IT labs, coding, or robotics programs, the Kuunda STEAM initiative is designed to address South Africa’s shortage of skilled technology professionals, nurturing a diverse pool of talent and contributing to the country's technical growth.
