Stellantis South Africa has signed a new philanthropy partnership with Social Coding South Africa, focused on bringing coding, robotics and digital skills directly to learners and teachers in communities where access to technology and digital learning remains limited
The partnership forms part of Stellantis Philanthropy, the Group’s global philanthropic program dedicated to creating positive social impact through education, youth development and access to opportunities.
“At Stellantis, we believe that access to skills and opportunities is key to unlocking long-term social and economic progress,” said Sizwekazi Mdingi, Head of Communications and CSR for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa at Stellantis. “Through Stellantis Philanthropy, we support initiatives that help young people build their future and strengthen their communities. Our partnership with Social Coding South Africa reflects this commitment by equipping learners and educators with digital skills that can open doors to future opportunities.”
At the heart of the partnership is a mobile computer lab that brings coding, robotics and digital skills directly to learners and teachers.
The partnership will reach direct beneficiaries, including:
- Grade 8 and 9 learners who will gain hands-on experience in digital literacy, coding, robotics, AI and 4IR technologies
- Teachers who will be trained to use digital tools in the classroom
- Young people will be trained and certified in digital and facilitation skills, with select participants gaining paid work experience to support the programme’s expansion.
Learners will also have the opportunity to take part in national and international robotics competitions. By training local facilitators and equipping teachers, the programme is designed to keep building digital capability in the community.
“This partnership helps us close that gap between the immense talent we have in our communities and the opportunities community members can’t always access,” said Thembiso Magajana, founder of Social Coding South Africa. “With Stellantis behind us, our mobile lab can reach learners, teachers and young facilitators who are too often left out of the digital economy, and show them that coding, robotics and AI are within their reach. And because we train facilitators and equip teachers, the skills stay in the community long after the lab moves on.”
Stellantis Philanthropy, the Group’s global philanthropic program, operates independently from the company’s commercial activities and is dedicated to initiatives that create positive social impact. With a strong focus on education, youth development, and access to opportunities, it aims to empower individuals to build their future and drive lasting change within their communities.