Cape Town’s Libraries: Powerhouses of Global Coding Revolution

Cape Town’s libraries are leading a global coding revolution, with Bonteheuwel Library showcasing their digital capabilities at a nationwide coding event and three other libraries preparing to compete in the Mandela World Coding Championship. They promote coding to communities by embracing unplugged coding, offering offline coding experiences like TANKS and RANGERS. These libraries are empowering their communities with vital skills for the digital era while also showcasing their coding expertise on a global platform.

Can Cape Town’s libraries code?

Cape Town’s libraries have transformed into a hub of global coding, with Bonteheuwel Library showcasing their digital capabilities at a nationwide coding event and three more libraries readying to represent South Africa at the upcoming Mandela World Coding Championship. The libraries promote coding to communities by embracing unplugged coding, offering offline coding experiences like TANKS and RANGERS. They are empowering their communities with vital skills for the digital era, while simultaneously gearing up to flaunt their coding expertise on a global platform.

Cape Town’s libraries have evolved beyond their traditional role as repositories of books and research materials, transforming into a hub of global coding. Bonteheuwel Library recently showcased the range of digital capabilities of the city’s libraries at a nationwide coding event. Following this, three more libraries from Cape Town – Valhalla Park, Belhar, and Ocean View – are readying to represent South Africa at the upcoming Mandela World Coding Championship in December.

These libraries have been swept up in a coding passion that has taken root this year. At the #coding4Mandela tournament, they were among the 26 libraries that participated, with a notable attendance of 16,000 learners from 60 sites across the nation.

Bonteheuwel library has been particularly prominent, being chosen to present unplugged coding at the prestigious ‘Coolest Projects South Africa 2023′ event, held at the Cape Town Science Centre in Observatory. The event displayed a variety of children’s coding projects, drawing a significant attendance from 17 African and 27 European nations.

Cape Town Libraries: Coding Their Way to World Championship

There’s not stopping the city’s libraries as they ride the wave leading straight to the World Coding Championship. Teams representing libraries from Belhar, Ocean View, and Valhalla Park are set to compete against international teams. These libraries cemented their standing at the national coding event in July, and will be participating in the virtual #Coding4Mandela World Championships on December 5. The championship holds special significance this year, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the late Nelson Mandela’s demise.

The library teams form part of a larger South African group, ready to match their skills against teams from various countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, Germany, and the United States. They are part of a coding initiative co-led by the Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences Department and the Leva Foundation. Tangible Africa, a notable contributor, has played a crucial role in developing coding applications like TANKS and RANGERS, which facilitate offline coding with minimal resources.

Patricia van der Ross, the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, expressed her admiration for the three library teams. She emphasized that coding offers learners the chance to enhance their analytical skills, and improve their understanding and problem-solving capabilities.

Libraries Spearhead Offline Coding, Digital Skill Development

The libraries’ commitment to promoting coding to communities otherwise limited by insufficient access to high-cost resources is evident in their embrace of unplugged coding. Participants can play TANKS or RANGERS offline by simply downloading a compact app (7MB) and using the app along with the game pack tokens.

Thus, Cape Town’s libraries have taken on a pivotal role in the digital arena. They are empowering their communities with vital skills for the digital era, while simultaneously gearing up to flaunt their coding expertise on a global platform.

1. What is the coding revolution happening in Cape Town’s libraries?

Cape Town’s libraries are leading a global coding revolution, promoting coding to communities by embracing unplugged coding and offering offline coding experiences like TANKS and RANGERS. They are empowering their communities with vital skills for the digital era while showcasing their coding expertise on a global platform.

2. What is the Mandela World Coding Championship?

The Mandela World Coding Championship is a virtual coding competition that takes place on December 5. Teams from various countries will compete, including teams representing libraries from Belhar, Ocean View, and Valhalla Park in Cape Town.

3. Which libraries in Cape Town are participating in the Mandela World Coding Championship?

Teams representing libraries from Belhar, Ocean View, and Valhalla Park in Cape Town are set to compete in the Mandela World Coding Championship.

4. What is unplugged coding?

Unplugged coding is an offline coding experience that can be facilitated with minimal resources. Cape Town’s libraries promote coding by offering unplugged coding experiences like TANKS and RANGERS, which can be played offline by downloading a compact app and using the app along with the game pack tokens.

5. Why are Cape Town’s libraries important in the digital arena?

Cape Town’s libraries have taken on a pivotal role in the digital arena by empowering their communities with vital skills for the digital era while showcasing their coding expertise on a global platform. They promote coding to communities otherwise limited by insufficient access to high-cost resources.

6. What is the role of the Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences Department and the Leva Foundation in the coding initiative?

The Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences Department and the Leva Foundation co-lead a coding initiative that involves various countries, including South Africa. Tangible Africa has played a crucial role in developing coding applications like TANKS and RANGERS to facilitate offline coding with minimal resources.