The learners at Christel House South Africa (CHSA)’s Tech fusion hub are looking forward to testing their capabilities against the best while also learning more skills, which can create more career pathways to empower themselves.

People’s Post sat down with with a pair of talented young techno-wizards, Muhammad Sabriquan and Jason Fisher, who look forward to mentoring the next generation of learners when they are in matric next year.

Dynamic duo

Last month the dynamic duo also represented the school at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Provincial Event held at the The University of the Western Cape on Friday 14 August.

One of the school’s teams achieved first place in the Senior category, automatically qualifying for the South African national event.

CHSA’s Explorer Prime team also achieved an impressive third place and confirmed they will also compete at nationals.

For Grade 11 learner Muhammad, who achieved first place alongside teammate, Jason, robotics has been about much more than building and programming robots.

Five of the school’s learners have also qualified for the Minecraft Build Battle and have been invited to represent the Western Cape at the Curro Clash Grand Final LAN in Gauteng later this year.

Platform that empowers

Head of the school’s Information Computer Technology (ICT) Cedrick Esterhuizen said he was proud to see how the hub’s learners were flourishing as problem solvers, and it helped to empower them with various skills such as robotics, E-sports, Minecraft world building, 3D modelling, digital printing, video editing and learning how to operate drones.

“The idea behind doing all these activities is to expose our learners and give them opportunities to explore different activities during our extra-curricular programme, which we call Student Life. We want to see where their strengths lie. We have a fantastic E-sports team. In the Western Cape, we are the top Minecraft Gold Battle team.”

He also commended Muhammad and Jason for their dedication at last month’s WRO.

“These competitions are about going to win or to learn. This year we went to learn, but it will be better for next year’s competition.” The two are quite resilient. They push themselves and, as you can see, they are busy preparing for their next event.”

The duo started preparing for this competition since February, when the new field and new map becomes available for the year, Esterhuizen added.

“Then we spend most of our breaks, lunch breaks, first breaks and our Student Life time in the lab repairing and preparing. We also come in on Saturdays for about four hours just to prepare for these events.”

Passion for technology

For Muhammad, who is from Manenberg, working with robotics went hand-in-hand with his passion for mathematics.

“Robotics involves not just building, it is also maths. I love maths so much; working with numbers is my thing. Of all the clubs robotics was probably the one with the most maths-problem solving, which is the part I love.”

Muhammad hoped to pursue a career as a surgeon or venture into biomedical engineering.

Teammate Jason, from Hanover Park, said it was thrilling competing against the province’s best robotics teams.

“What really drew me into robotics is it mixture of teamwork and creative thinking. I love designing and building. One of my dream careers involves designing. Technology is a big thing for me. Usually Muhammad and I cycle between building and coding.

“Usually I do the building. In previous years I did most of the building and Sabri [Muhammad] most of the coding. But this year we merged roles, so we both did half the building and half the coding.” His dream career is architectural technology.

“My advice for the youth is to do whatever you put your mind to. I would much rather regret what I did than what I didn’t do. There are always opportunities out there. If you do your best there will be something for you.”

ALSO READ: Community voluntary association hosts Heritage Day fundraiser