In celebration of Mandela Day, iStore and Think Ahead are inviting hundreds of learners from around the country to FREE 67 minutes of code session.
Learners from 6 years and older are welcome to book via Quicket for a FREE coding session at one of the iStores listed below. Lessons will be held at various time slots during the month of July.
What is Coding?
Coding is fast becoming the most in-demand skill across all industries. Every App, computer programme and even microwave relies on code in order to operate. Teaching youth how to code ensures that we are prepared for a digital world. Tying into the Mandela Day theme, “Take Action. Inspire Change. Make everyday a Mandela Day”, iStore and Think Ahead are taking the first step of action again this year by offering learners across the country a free coding course.
Click on a free coding course below to find out more.
| Code with Foos | 6-8yrs |
| Hello Byte for younger kids | 6-8yrs |
| Hello Byte for older kids | 9-12yrs, 13+ |
| Code Machine | 9-12yrs, 13+ |
| Battleship | 9-12yrs, 13+ |
| Senior Arcade | 9-12yrs |
| Brick Breaker | 9-12yrs, 13+ |
| Running Maze | 9-12yrs, 13+ |
Code with Foos
Ages: 6 – 8yrs
When: 6 & 20 July: 9:30am – 10:40am
Description: This new game helps young coders transition from block-based coding into real Swift code. First-time coders will solve puzzles with the Foos while learning basic Swift commands and syntax.
Experience: Beginner. For kids keen to learn to code, but have never tried it before.
Previous Skills required: None.
Hello Byte for younger kids
Ages: 6-8 years
When:
13 July: 9:30am – 10:40am
20 July: 11:30am – 12:40pm
Description: Say hello to an amazing new friend, Byte! You will learn how to use Apple’s coding language, Swift, to give simple commands, write functions and run loops while solving puzzles in a dynamic, 3D world.
Experience: Intermediate. For kids who have dabbled with the blockbased coding before and would like to expand their coding skills.
Previous Skills required: Commands, Sequences and Loops.
Hello, Byte for older kids
Ages: 9 – 12yrs
When: 6 July. 11:30am – 12:40pm
Description: Say hello to an amazing new friend, Byte! You will learn how to use Apple’s coding language, Swift, to give simple commands, write functions and run loops while solving puzzles in a dynamic, 3D world.
Experience: Beginner. For kids eager to learn the coding language using the worlds top app developers: Swift.
Previous Skills required: None.
Code Machine
Ages: 9 – 12yrs, 13yrs+
When: 6 July, 3:30pm – 4:40pm (13yrs+)
13 July. 11:30am – 12:40pm (9 – 12yrs)
Description: Use your Swift coding skills to create new parts for the Incredible Code Machine. You will learn how computers process code and then write your own code using functions and loops to create cyborg eyes, electric hoolahoops and so much more. In this challenge you will use your logic apply your creativity to figure out how to make new parts
Experience: Beginner. For kids eager to learn the coding language used by top app developers: Swift.
Previous Skills required: None.
Battleship
Ages: 9 – 12yrs, 13yrs+
When: 6 July, 1:30pm – 2:40pm (9 – 12yrs)
13 July, 3:30pm – 4:40pm (13yrs+)
27 July, 11:30am – 12:40pm (9 – 12yrs)
Description: Learn how to code the Battleship game using Swift. You will experiment with playing Battleship and then develop an Algorithm that will help you hunt down and target your opponents ships – it is all down to how effective you can make your algorithm.
Experience: Intermediate . For kids with experience in coding, who understands the fundamental coding concepts
Previous Skills Required: Commands, Functions, Loops and Algorithms.
Sensor Arcade
Ages: 9 – 12yrs
When: 13 July, 1:30pm – 2:40pm (9 – 12yrs)
Description: This playground provides you with everything you need to create a fun, interactive game in Swift. You will leverage information from the iPads microphone and camera to control graphics and move sprites around the scene. Then, use light and colour to make sprites avoid obstacles and catch donuts.
Experience: Intermediate. For kids with experience in coding, who understand the fundamental coding concepts . Students must understand the following concepts:
Previous Skills Required: Commands, Functions, Loops and Algorithms.
Brick Breaker
Ages: 9 – 12yrs, 13yrs+
When:
20 July, 1:30pm – 2:40pm (9 -12yrs)
27 July, 3:30pm – 4:40pm (13yrs+)
Description: Use Swift to recreate this arcade classic! Set up the game board and customise the rules of the game. Through coding the game, you get to determine what types of bricks you place and how the ball will respond when hitting them.
Experience: Advanced. For kids who want to test their coding skills.
Previous Skills Required: Advanced coding experience using Swift syntax.
Running Maze
Ages: 9 – 12yrs, 13yrs+
When: 20 July, 3:30pm – 4:40pm (13yrs+)
27 July, 1:30pm – 2:40pm (9 – 12yrs)
Description: Create and explore pathfinding algorithms in Swift. You will write and apply algorithms that enable you to escape from any any maze within the Playground.
Experience: Advanced. For kids who want to test their coding skills.
Previous Skills Required: advanced coding experience using Swift syntax.
Quicket bookings for a free coding course:
| JOHANNESBURG | DURBAN |
| Clearwater | Gateway |
| Sandton City | MPUMALANGA |
| Mall of Africa | iLanga |
| Sandton Drive | WESTERN CAPE |
| Cresta | Cavendish |
| PRETORIA | |
| Centurion | |
Wow this is amazing, thank you!
Yes it is. I suggest you move quickly to secure your child’s space.
It would be great to have kids from all provinces exposed, more especially those which do not have such opportunities like the Eastern Cape.
It’s great idea but not all parents have an iPad so if doesn’t really work out….
Hi Samira,
Your child does not need to have an ipad to attend the istore sessions.
But they sent me a msg…
The iStore team would like to thank you for signing up for our Mandela Day coding session. As stated in our email you will need to bring your own iPad. Please remember to download the Swift Playground App and to bring an enquiring mind.
Cresta has no iPads & we were told we needed the latest iPad with the latest iOS to attend. Very disappointed kids as we only have an iPad 2
Hi is there anymore open bookings in eastgate or anywhere else to be opened up?
I am afraid the sessions are full.
This is what I received from them
The iStore team would like to thank you for signing up for our Mandela Day coding session. As stated in our email you will need to bring your own iPad. Please remember to download the Swift Playground App and to bring an enquiring mind.
Hi Samira, We are very sorry to hear this and are taking the matter up with the iStore. We will keep you posted.
Best regards
The jozikids Team
How can i include my kids
Hi Thami, I am afraid all the sessions are full. This is a once off for Mandela Month.
Amazing
I also received the same sms… Took the kids and they had to watch while other kids had I pads.. It was really sad.
Hi Nompumelelo,
Was this also at Cresta iStore?
Regards
Merle
Hi Merle,
This was at Mall of Africa Istore
Quicket does not allow any bookings, as they say the event is not available for booking yet
Hi Zanele,
Please keep trying. It may be your internet connection. It will say if the venue is sold out.If you continue to have problems, please let us know.
Awesome, just a quick question…do the kids bring their own Ipads? ….what happens if they dont own one…
Dear Nompumelelo,
Kids who own ipads can bring, however there will be ipads available to share….
Cresta has no iPads & we were told we needed the latest iPad with the latest iOS to attend. Very disappointed kids as we only have an iPad 2
A number of disappointed families left the store as well. Not very well organized or thought by Apple
Dear Joni, We are extremely sorry to hear this and are taking the matter further. We will keep you posted.
Best regards
The Jozikids Team
Hi There
Please advise if the events are full in Mall of Africa , Sandton Drive and Sandton City for the 6th at 15:30 and 13th at 11:30.
Quicket site only say there are currently no tickets.
Dear Diri,
Please keep trying. It may be your internet connection. It will say if the venue is sold out.If you continue to have problems, please let us know.
I would like to facilitate, what is process to follo
Dear Siphokazi,
There is no need for facilitators I am afraid.
Hi There
Is the a chance that would have similar workshop again sometimes this year?
All the venues are sold out. I called yesterday quicket and they advise that the events was removed from their site.
Thanks
Hi Diri, The venues are not all sold out- I went to check. There still some spaces at Mall of Africa, Sandton, Cresta.. Or are these the wrong venues for you?
Good Day
I noticed there are no session in PTA, I wanted to check availability for centurion or surround areas in GP.
Kindly advice
Thank-you
Hi Yvonne, Please go to the Centurion link and see what is available.
Hi, i registered my son for the plus 13 yrs slot as there was no space for the 12 yr old slot, he is 12 going on 13 yes, can he still attend. He also has no previous experience
Hi Sam, Please can you click on the link and communicate directly with the istore if possible.
Best regards
Merle
Really disappointed drove all the way to the Cresta iStore to get told I have to have my own tablet dnt offer things for free if u cannot provide the service
Update: After arriving early as requested which they had no idea about & hanging around for 30 minutes, we were informed they’d emailed everyone this morning (we never received the mail) to say you’d need the latest iPad with the latest iOS. Sort of defeats the purpose of Mandela Day when you aim your initiative at those privileged enough to give their kids the latest iPad 🤦♀️ #fail
Do you offer this is in the East Rand at all?
Unfortunately not.
Good Morning.
I have read a number of comments about kids not having Ipads, I’m afraid I also don’t have one for my child and people aren’t willing to borrow their personal Ipads as its a risk.
Kindly advice if Ipads will be made available and if its worth traveling to sandton from pta for the coding session this Saturday without an Ipad.
Thank-you