In honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy of learning, unity, and service, the University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s Department of Childhood Education hosted an inspiring digital coding event: Coding4Mandela 2025. Held virtually via Microsoft Teams, the session invited teachers and their children—including siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews—to explore creative coding as a tool for self-expression using the accessible, graphical coding platform, OctoStudio.
Over the course of two hours, including 67 minutes of hands-on coding in tribute to Mandela Day, participants were guided to build simulations, games, stories, and animations. The platform’s drag-and-drop interface allowed even first-time coders to bring their ideas to life.
Inclusive, intergenerational learning in action
One of the event’s highlights was the dynamic collaboration between parents and children. The experience fostered rich, cognitively engaging conversations about how to design and execute creative projects. Some children, excited by their growing confidence, even requested to code independently—playfully insisting their parents were slowing them down!
Parental feedback revealed the event’s powerful emotional and educational impact:
- “I have never seen my autistic child so focused on an activity. He will definitely be engaging with OctoStudio more often.”
- “Thank you for the opportunity and for introducing us to OctoStudio. We’ll definitely use it again.”
- “My daughter now has an app she can use. I won’t worry anymore about her spending too much time on the phone.”
Empowering futures through creative technology
Coding4Mandela 2025 exemplifies UJ’s commitment to accessible, transformative education that not only imparts digital skills but also nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and stronger family bonds. By engaging both children and adults in a shared learning journey, the event highlighted the value of inclusive, community-based approaches to technology and education.
As the world moves deeper into the digital age, initiatives like these ensure that learners of all ages are equipped to code, create, and lead—values that align with both Mandela’s legacy and UJ’s vision for the future.
