25/09/2026
What if gaming could open the door to a career in technology?
For 100 Grade 9 and 10 girls from 20 schools across Vhembe West and Vhembe East in Limpopo, that is exactly what SITA’s e-Sportathon Boot Camp is setting out to explore.
In partnership with the Department of Basic Education, SITA is bringing together young girls to learn coding, game design and problem-solving through an experience that combines the creativity of a hackathon with the energy of e-sports.
From 28 September to 2 October 2026, teams will move from learning the fundamentals of programming to building their own Minecraft adventure maps.
But there is a challenge behind the game.
Each team will choose a South African province and bring its landscapes, culture, stories and environmental features to life, while incorporating sustainability themes such as water conservation, renewable energy, waste management, climate action and sustainable communities.
It is about giving girls the opportunity to see themselves not only as players of technology, but as creators, coders, designers and innovators.
Teachers will also be part of the learning journey, receiving training to strengthen their programming skills and support learners beyond the boot camp.
And the journey will not end when the event does. Winning teams and schools will have opportunities for mentorship and incubation, while SITA will introduce a digital coding community designed to keep young developers connected, learning and creating together.
Because closing the gender gap in ICT starts with opening doors early, and giving young people the skills, confidence and space to walk through them.
Code it. Create it. Game it. Shape the future.
