Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre Coding Camp

The Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre in Chatsworth Durban is collaborating with partners in the USA to launch a Coding Camp for high-school students in Chatsworth, Durban in the spirit of Madiba for Nelson Mandela Month. The "CodeSolve Coding Camp" will take place at the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre (NMCYC) in Chatsworth, Durban on Saturday and Sunday, the 27 and 28 of July 2024 from 9am to 3pm on each day. The camp will be attended by more than 50 high school learners in grades 6 and 7 from 10 schools in Chatsworth. CodeSolve is a global network being launched via a series of workshops both in the USA and South Africa to promote the development of creative problem solving skills among youth, harnessing computer literacy and coding skills as a platform. The focus is especially on empowering young females to build confidence starting with the right mindset and set of core skills. CodeSolve is founded by 17 year old American-South African coder, mathematician, musician, and film-maker Paetyn Naidoo. Paetyn Naidoo summed up her motivation for founding CodeSolve and running coding workshops:“In a world full of challenges and opportunities, we seek new creative solutions from young people

around the world. Technology is advancing rapidly and shaping every aspect of our present and future world. Our vision is for every young person to be empowered with the computer literacy skills and coding knowledge to realize their dreams and contribute to making our world a better place for all.”

Naidoo added, “I am excited and honoured to be partnering with the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre and working with the committed team of volunteers Clive Pillay, Kumaran Naidoo and Diveshan Maharaj at the Centre to co-host the coding workshop as part of the NMCYC Mandela Month Programme.”

The Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre (NMCYC), opened by Nelson Mandela in 2003 is a land-mark centre in Durban which has served the Chatsworth Community for decades. Situated in the sprawling township of Chatsworth with a population of almost 500 000 people, the NMCYC has become a hub for all forms of activity to uplift the youth and the community at large. The centre is run fully by volunteers from the community and activities are free of charge. These dedicated volunteers play a valuable role by utilising their skills to run specific programmes and develop

various codes of sport. The centre works with over 200-primary and secondary schools from Chatsworth and surrounding areas including Welbedact, Marianhill, Wentworth, Merebank, Lamontville, Umlazi and

Queensburgh. https://www.mandelayouthcentre.org.za/about/

Clive Pillay, co-organiser of the CodeSolve Camp from the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre, said: “The Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre offers a year round programme of educational events in arts, culture, science, technology and sport and a month long programme of

activities to commemorate and celebrate the spirit of Madiba during Mandela Month. We are delighted to collaborate with Paetyn Naidoo and CodeSolve to host the Code Solve Camp as part of our Mandela Month programme; and hope to make this South African – American youth-to-youth

initiative an annual event.” Media are invited to join us at the Code Solve Camp to meet the organisers and the learners attending the Code Solve Camp.

What is the Codesolve Camp?

CodeSolve Camp is a program aimed to provide learners with a framework for problem-solving using computer science and basic coding concepts. The camp is a structured learning program that will be taught by instructor Paetyn Naidoo to build creative problem solving skills harnessing a coding mindset to tackle challenges. Learners will be encouraged to ask questions, discuss, debate and actively participate in their learning journeys. The program is for everyone, whether you want to be a programmer or not, because coding is everywhere around us and will continue to shape our world.

Who is it for?

The coding camp is designed for Grades 6 and 7. Learners may be beginners with little to some knowledge of computer science and coding, or may be more advanced and have taken classes at school. The pace is set to accommodate everyone who participates in the camp, regardless of skill

level.