Rising Stars: South African Students Shine in National Programming Olympiad

The Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) recently celebrated the top students in their 2024 Computer Programming Olympiad, inspiring young minds to explore the vast world of tech.

If you’re not familiar with this annual event, it’s a fantastic platform that ignites a passion for problem-solving and hones ICT skills among budding tech enthusiasts across the nation.

This year, the Olympiad was buzzing with participation—over 5,000 students from 159 schools jumped into the fray. After a keenly competitive first round, that number whittled down to 1,010 students from 122 schools by round two.

Eventually, 17 talented students from 15 schools wowed their way into the finals. As a bit of bragging rights for South Africa, this Olympiad has been nurturing young tech talent for more than 35 years. That’s a legacy worth noting!

Top Performers

A round of applause goes to Noah Jacobsen, a Grade 11 student at St John’s College in Gauteng, who snagged the coveted gold medal—truly a remarkable achievement.

Not far behind, Youkyum Kim from Reddam House Durbanville and Nico Schreuder from Bishops Diocesan College, both in the Western Cape, took silver. Meanwhile, the bronze accolades were proudly claimed by Gauteng students:

• Ruan Schoeman – Homeschool Midrand
• Erik Senekal – Hoërskool Menlopark
• Yian Xu – Redhill High School

We also can’t overlook the achievements of other talented learners from the International School of Cape Town, Treverton College, SAHETI School, and Michaelhouse. They all deserve a special shout-out for their hard work and dedication.

Future Opportunities

What’s exciting is that these top performers might get to stretch their wings even further by participating in the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) in Bolivia next year. How’s that for a motivator?

Support and Participation

Big thanks to Jane Street and SoftwareOne Experts South Africa for their support.

Their sponsorship does wonders in promoting digital skills that today’s workplace demands. And if you’re a teacher wondering how to get your students involved, note that the competition is completely free to enter.

It’s a fantastic way for schools to nurture the next generation of tech whizzes.

Looking forward to seeing who shines in the future!