The Sakhikamva Foundation and the Cape Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology (CAMST) are incredibly proud of Haadiyah Slamang and Jesse, who recently represented South Africa on the global stage at the Chicago Robotics Invitational FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC).

As members of Astrovo FTC Team 17955, the duo competed in a challenging three-day event that brought together some of the most innovative young minds in robotics. Despite fierce competition, Astrovo made South Africa proud by winning the prestigious ‘Against All Odds’ Award, celebrating their resilience, determination, and teamwork throughout the event.

Astrovo is no stranger to success. The team has previously earned multiple accolades, including the Innovate Award and two Connect Awards in the 2022–2023 season. This marks their third season competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge, showcasing consistent excellence and growth in the fields of robotics, engineering, and coding.

The team embodies more than just technical skill — they’re also passionate about outreach and development. Their efforts include engaging with local schools, forming new robotics teams, and maintaining detailed engineering portfolios and meeting logs that document their journey.

As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we are reminded of the importance of creating platforms and opportunities for our youth. Their success is not only a personal triumph but a national inspiration.

Let’s continue to support and empower our young people to reach for the stars — just like Haadiyah, Jesse, and the rest of Team Astrovo have done.