Letlaka Mphuthi

Nominee's Province:
Free State

Age:
35

Project Name/Description:
Compu-WizKidz

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/letlaka.mphuthi.7

Mphuthi is turning kids in his neighbourhood of Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, into young computer wizards. In 2018, he converted his garage into a small media centre to teach grades 1 to Grade 7 kids the ins and outs of computer coding and programming. Mphuthi says he launched Compu-WizKidz when he realised that with the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the kids in his area risked being left behind. “With new 4IR inventions, we can see how the banking system has advanced, even retail stores are moving to a self-service way of working… so we have to introduce coding at a very young age to give these kids a fighting chance to be data scientists, computer engineers and so on in future,” says Mphuthi. At Compu-WizKidz youngsters learn how to code using programs and languages like Python, Java, SQL, HTML and others. Mphuthi obtained an A+ and N+ diploma in computer networking from the Tshwane University of Technology in 2009. He’s the co-founder and co-director of SMK Makalo, which specialises in computer repairs, web and graphic design. He also tutors children in maths and basic English and Sesotho (vocabulary, grammar, and reading of story books) using only computer-based programmes where kids learn problem-solving skills by themselves. “The programme teaches them to be self-reliant.” Mphuthi, whose late parents were both teachers, also hosts leadership camps and training, focusing on interpersonal and intrapersonal skills development, for Grade 12 learners and prefects. Compu-WizKidz, which is self-funded, has worked with about 200 kids since its inception. “A lot of the kids want to join us but we turn them away because our space is small. It pains me,” he says.