This Youth Month, the Prescient Foundation’s bi-annual Leadership Summit, held on 20 June 2026 in partnership with the Sakhikamva Foundation, brought together future leaders for a day focused on coding and robotics.
Held at the Cape Academy School of Mathematics, Science and Technology in Constantia, the leadership summit welcomed approximately 150 Grade 7 prefects and emerging leaders from eight primary schools across Nyanga, Retreat, Seawinds, Constantia, Heathfield and Steenberg.
The leadership summit, which focussed on coding and robotics, equipped learners with critical technological skills while inspiring them to become agents of positive change within their schools, communities and families. Building on our ongoing partnership with Sakhikamva, the summit integrated practical, hands-on learning experiences that reinforced digital literacy, problem-solving, and innovation. Learners were exposed to real-world applications of coding and robotics, while also developing teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking skills. This approach not only strengthened their technical capabilities, but also nurtured confidence, adaptability, and a mindset geared towards using technology as a tool for social impact
Equipping the next generation for a digital future
This leadership summit placed a strong emphasis on the importance of STEM, innovation and problem-solving as essential tools for the next generation. Learners participated in motivational talks and interactive activities designed to strengthen teamwork, communication, discipline, determination, critical thinking and leadership skills.
“Our Leadership Summit is all about what we stand for – making a positive impact on people and communities through partnership, while helping to build a sustainable future,” says Meryl Bendie, Programme Facilitator of the Prescient Foundation.
“By exposing young people from low-income communities to STEM activities, we’re expanding their perspective, sparking curiosity, and helping prepare them for the future. We want to equip them with the skills, confidence, and mindset they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Technology continues to shape the way we live and work, and it’s important that our youth have the opportunity to participate in that future and make meaningful contributions.”
Strengthening partnerships for youth development
The partnership between the Prescient Foundation and Sakhikamva Foundation began in 2015, with the Prescient Foundation supporting Sakhikamva’s robotics and coding workshops for Grade 7 to 12 learners. Alongside this, the initiative also focuses on equipping teachers with the skills and competencies needed to independently facilitate similar workshops, ensuring a sustainable and lasting impact.
The partnership has evolved significantly over time, expanding beyond workshops to include jointly hosted initiatives, the equipping of school computer laboratories, and the launch of the STREAM laboratory at Floreat Primary School. The Prescient Foundation has also supported selected learners identified by Sakhikamva to participate in internal coding and robotics competitions, as well as invested in the Africa Code Competition held at CPUT in 2025.
“At the Sakhikamva Foundation, we believe that meaningful change begins when young people are given the tools to image and build a different future,” said Fatima Jakoet, Founder of the Sakhikamva Foundation. “Our partnership with the Prescient Foundation is rooted in a shared conviction that access to technology and quality education are not privileges, but rights. Seeing these learners engage with coding in STEM activities reaffirms why this work matters and why we remain wholeheartedly committed to walking this journey together.”
Over two decades of education and empowerment
For over two decades, the Prescient Foundation’s purpose has been anchored in the Prescient Group’s vision of creating financial certainty for a better tomorrow. Through sustainable partnerships and high-impactful initiatives, the foundation continues advancing education and community upliftment.
“When we empower youth, we ignite change not just in schools, but across communities. Every programme, every scholarship and every partnership is a step towards transforming education, uplifting families and empowering communities across South Africa,” said Bendie.
She added that the leadership summit serves as both a celebration of impact and a reminder of the importance of continued investment in youth development. “It is an opportunity to invest in the next generation of leaders and continue building on the legacy of hope and opportunity that defines the Prescient Foundation. When a learner understands how to code, or begins to grasp how technology works, something fundamental shifts in how they see themselves and what they believe is possible. This is what our leadership summit is about, not just skills and competencies, but confidence.”
Prescient volunteers from across the business attended the summit to mentor learners and support the day’s activities, reaffirming their commitment to creating pathways toward a brighter and more equitable future through education.
The Prescient Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing lives, promoting equity and empowering future generations through education, leadership development, and innovation.
