Through sheer dedication, perseverance, and countless hours of hard work, a talented robotics club member, Qiraan and his team have qualified to represent South Africa at the prestigious FIRST LEGO League Asia Pacific Open Championship in Sydney, Australia.
Cape Town, South Africa (05 June 2026) – Founded with minimal resources but a powerful vision, RC² (RC Squared) is a community robotics and coding club in Belhar, Cape Town, dedicated to creating opportunities for youth through technology and innovation.
Through sheer dedication, perseverance, and countless hours of hard work, a talented young member named Qiraan and his teammates, the Pixel Pi-oneers, have excelled at national competitions, ultimately qualifying to compete on the global stage.
Through this, Qiraan has earned the opportunity of a lifetime.
He has qualified to represent South Africa at the prestigious FIRST LEGO League Asia Pacific Open Championship in Sydney, Australia, from 9 to 13 July 2026.
“While an international competition is exciting for anyone, for Qiraan, this journey represents something much bigger. It is proof that talent, intelligence and potential are not limited by circumstances or postcode,” says Qiraan’s mother, Fadia Mohammed.
The Pixel Pi-oneers achieved exceptional results at the South African FIRST LEGO League Nationals, placing second overall in the country and earning their place on the international stage.
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Despite qualifying, financial constraints now threaten Qiraan’s opportunity to attend. His family and community have worked hard to raise funds, but approximately R30,000 is still needed to cover the remaining travel and participation costs for the Australia tour.
For Qiraan, this journey is about far more than robotics.
“It is about exposure to global opportunities, engaging with learners from different countries and cultures, and experiencing possibilities that many children from under-resourced communities never get the chance to see firsthand. It is also about inspiring other young people in his community to believe that they, too, can dream beyond their circumstances,” Fadia adds.
Those involved with RC² describe Qiraan as hardworking, committed and passionate about technology and innovation. The club itself has already impacted more than 1,200 learners through coding and robotics initiatives and continues to create opportunities for young people who may otherwise never have access to STEM education.
Sometimes changing a young person’s future starts with something as simple as making sure they can board the plane. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help bring Qiraan one step closer to representing South Africa on the international stage.
Funds need to be paid by 19 June 2026. Anyone wishing to support Qiraan can contribute through his campaign here.
Sources: Suzaan de Stadler
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