Startup Story
In a world where technology is changing so many aspects of our daily lives, it is so important that children get the opportunity to grasp and embrace maths and science at an early age. Tshegofatso Dludla, founder of RoboSTEAM Train in South Africa, is making a huge difference to the lives of underprivileged children in the country by making robotics and coding fun and accessible.
LoA chatted to this inspirational, game-changing entrepreneur this month to find out more.
What does your company do?
We teach robotics and coding in order to bring life to maths and science making it fun for children between the ages of 5 and 13.
“We teach robotics and coding in order to bring life to maths and science making it fun for children.”
“Tutoring maths and science in Soweto made it evident that children are not only bored by maths and science but they don't understand it or see its purpose beyond school.”
What inspired you to start your company?
Tutoring maths and science in Soweto made it evident that children are not only bored by maths and science but they don't understand it or see its purpose beyond school. This had me looking for a way to make it more fun and introduce the children to the world of tech, careers that would be more prevalent in the future and a fun way of seeing maths and science come to life for underprivileged children. This was the birth of the Tshala foundation (NPO). Due to the struggle to get funding for a young organisation the RoboSTEAM train was born to offer the same service as a for profit company so that the profits could fund the foundation and the good work could continue.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Coding and robotics are great skills to learn but without an understanding of its use, the skill might be lost over time. Our curriculum not only teaches the fundamentals but also incorporates maths and science as it is done in class so that the children can appreciate and enjoy STEAM( Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) better and possibly improve their marks even in school.
Tell us a little about your team
The team consists of myself and Mapule Pule. With her background in law and business, she ensures that the running of the business and all our legal matters are taken care of.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
The daughter of a doctor (father) and a nurse (mother) I have had no entrepreneurial influence from my parents and in fact I thought I would never find myself in this space. The hunger for purpose led me down this path and I have not looked back. The journey is tough and it requires one to be resilient and persistent. It has taught me to be brave and knock on all doors no matter how insignificant I feel. I have learned some hard lessons from being subcontracted and have had small victories ( which I always celebrate). Having tried other side hustles as well I have learned that failure as an entrepreneur is a good thing and it pushes you forward to other opportunities.
“The future for the RoboSTEAM train is a very exciting one as myself and a team of black female tech developers are working to create a proudly South African edutainment innovation.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
The future for the RoboSTEAM train is a very exciting one as myself and a team of black female tech developers are working to create a proudly South African edutainment innovation that we hope to soon see in schools all over the country and beyond. This innovation is the beginning of many other products in the tech edutainment space and will bring the manufacturing and development to Gauteng to create many jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The pleasure of seeing the hard work that it takes paying off.
Hearing the testimonials of excited clients and seeing the faces of the children light up as they see their own creations.
The personal growth that I have experienced since I embarked in this journey is also priceless.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Get a mentor. Get up, start that business but don't do it alone. Some mistakes don't need to be made but the lessons still need to be learned. Mentorship cannot be over emphasized enough in the space of entrepreneurship.
Contact or follow RoboSTEAM Train
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL tshego@robosteamtrain.co.za
More about the founder
With Technology and the use thereof becoming a need and no longer a luxury, Tshego Dludla, the founder of the RoboSTEAM train as well as the Tshala Foundation (NPO), is bringing maths and science to life for young children using coding and robotics. With her B-Tech in electrical Engineering - Digital Technology and 10 years’ experience in the electronics development and manufacturing space, what better way to contribute to the future of South Africa than to impart the knowledge to the little ones.
Why LoA loves it….
Children are our future, and that means we have a responsibility to ensure they get access to all the opportunities to learn and gain essential knowledge and skills to help them on their future career journeys. We all know how important maths and science are to our world, and Tshegofatso Dludla is one passionate, game-changing entrepreneur who is committed to ensuring that all children can develop a love for both these skills sets. She is making science and maths fun through the power of robotics and coding, opening up their minds as well as opening opportunities for their learning and development. South Africa, and the African continent as a whole, need more future-thinking, tech-savvy entrepreneurs like Tshegofatso to find solutions to bring this powerful world of learning to our children. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa