In an effort to highlight how learners envision a better future through education – three learners were selected from the Top 10 schools and given an opportunity to share real and relatable stories on how they found their passion for school as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Their personal stories aim to highlight how these young people who participated in this year’s Solve For tomorrow competition viewed their experience and the power of choice as well as the impact of being part of this succesful initiative.

As one of Samsung’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives – the Solve For Tomorrow competition has a striking effect on the lives of the youth in the country. Over the years, Samsung has been using its resources in its quest to bridge the STEM education resource gap in the country and this is an illustration of Samsung’s commitment to empowering the youth from underprivileged communities.

Samsung is dedicated to fostering responsible corporate citizenship in the education sector through various global and regional initiatives that include the Solve For tomorrow competition. Over the years, this global electronics giant has demonstrated a strong commitment to education across Africa through programmes such as these, with notable results in South Africa. By leveraging its technological expertise, Samsung focuses on empowering youth, closing digital divides and promoting STEM education in underserved communities.

One of the learners from Masibambane Secondary School said his community has had a serious water scarcity and power cut crisis for some time and, while he cared about this situation – he felt powerless to do anything.

The Masibambane learner explained further: “I knew a bit about STEM and was excited to learn how I can apply it to find solutions to solve real world problems. This competition seemed like a huge mountain to climb and honestly, I wasn’t sure if I had what it takes to reach the top 10. My team and I decided to tackle water scarcity and the effect of power-cuts in our student community by designing a “smart” system titled: HYDRO GUARD.

“This Hydro Guard system is able to use the water that is normally wasted by residents in our community and stores this unclean water in an effort to create power (Hydroelectricity) for the school. It’s now able to recycle this unclean water through water treatment before it is served to the school so that it can be used again.”

This learner and his team mates spent weeks in the Solve For Tomorrow 2025 design thinking workshops, where they learnt how to brainstorm ideas, collaborate with others and even fail forward when their initial designs didn’t work. Participating in this competition, he said: “The skills I’ve learnt from problem solving, scientific research and critical thinking to public speaking aren’t just for a school project; they are tools I can use in my life. I’ve realised that I don’t have to wait for someone else to solve the problems I see – I now have the power to be a part of the solution.”

Because of this impactful experience, this learner from Masibambane Secondary is now considering a career in architecture, specifically in the theme of designing sustainable and eco-friendly buildings that are powered by renewable energy. He said that he’s now more confident about his future than ever before. “The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition didn’t just help me build a smart bin; it also helped me build a smarter, more confident me,” he added.

A second learner from Umlazi Comprehensive Technical School said: “Through this journey, I’ve learnt that teamwork is very important. What you do together as a team has a better chance of turning out well than when it is done by an individual. I’ve also learnt that communicating well with your team, makes the process of working together much easier. And through this Solve For Tomorrow competition, I also discovered some of the skills that I didn’t know I had, like creativity as well as being able to speak in front of many people.”

This Umlazi Comprehensive Technical School learner went on to say: “The Solve For Tomorrow experience also helped me realise that people are affected by the same problem in different ways. This therefore taught me to not only look at things in my own perspective, looking for information from other people also helps an individual to see things in a different light. It also helped me realise that when faced with challenges such as load shedding or floods – I can come up with innovative ideas to help solve these pressing problems in my community.”

Another team member from Phomolong Secondary School explained: “When we began our journey in this competition, I didn’t know how it would work out. It seemed like a big challenge, but as we worked together – I realised the power of teamwork. Each of us had different ideas and when we combined them, we were able to achieve something meaningful.

“This journey has taught me that teamwork is not always easy – there were moments of confusion and even disagreements. But those moments helped us learn how to listen and respect one another. I am grateful to my teammates, our teachers and the Samsung mentors for their support. This journey has helped me to grow, not only as an individual but also as a team player and a leader.”

Samsung is dedicated to fostering responsible corporate citizenship within the education sector through initiatives such as the Solve For tomorrow competition.

This year’s Top 10 schools were selected following the successful completion of the Design Thinking Workshops held between April 10 and May 30. These workshops equipped both Learners and educators from the 2025 Top 20 Finalist Schools with the tools needed to prepare for the critical prototype development phase. In this next phase, the Top 10 schools will receive resources and support to create physical prototypes, which will be presented to a panel of judges during the final evaluation.

The Solve for Tomorrow competition hosted by Samsung, is a flagship initiative in South Africa aimed at enhancing STEM education and fostering innovation among young people. It empowers Grade 10 and 11 learners from underserved communities to develop solutions to real-world problems using STEM skills. This year’s theme: “Infrastructure and Safety”; challenges learners to tackle pressing issues in their schools and respective communities.

The competition encourages creative problem-solving, teamwork and the application of 21st-century skills such as critical thinking and collaboration. By addressing local challenges, it not only equips learners with valuable skills but also promotes community-driven solutions and contributes to South Africa’s advancement of STEM. Participants have expressed how the programme has boosted their confidence, fostered teamwork, and created lasting friendships. The competition has instilled a sense of social responsibility in learners, empowering them to make a positive impact in their communities.

The judging process involves multiple stages and a rigorous evaluation criteria, culminating in a final assessment of prototypes. Schools initially submit their entries, which are reviewed by a panel of judges based on innovation, feasibility, and completeness. This is followed by a paper prototype submission and a final prototype evaluation conducted by judges who volunteer their time and expertise to ensure the competition’s success and credibility.

Malcolm Darwin, Talent Partner at Samsung and a volunteer judge on the SFT programme, shared his perspective: “I agreed to be a judge again because there are many kids with ideas to change the world or bring about change that may never be heard due to limited access. The SFT competition provides these Learners the opportunity to showcase their ideas and gain the resources needed to succeed. We have incredibly talented young minds in South Africa and I’m proud to be part of uncovering that talent as they tackle real-life problems.”

The winning teams stand to gain recognition as innovators and problem-solvers of the future, with prizes including cash awards and Samsung devices for schools and learners. The top three schools receive cash prizes for STEM equipment, while all top three teams are awarded Samsung devices. The first-place school receives R100 000, second place R50 000 and third place R30 000.

In no particular order, below are the names of the Top 10 schools advancing to the SFT finals:

Samsung emphasised how this competition fosters collaboration between learners, teachers and Samsung employee mentors, potentially leading to further partnerships and initiatives focused on innovation and development. Beyond being a competition, Solve for Tomorrow serves as a powerful platform for empowering young South Africans with the skills and knowledge needed to become innovators and leaders in the 21st century.

Lefa Makgato, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for Samsung Electronics in Southern Africa, concluded: “Congratulations to the schools that have advanced to this year’s Top 10. The level of innovation displayed was truly inspiring, and we are excited to see these ideas come to life through prototypes. At Samsung, we are proud to drive this positive change and support the Department of Basic Education’s mission to increase STEM participation in our schools. As we move into the finals, we encourage all finalists to give their best effort and remember that your best is more than enough. This competition reaffirms Samsung’s commitment to fostering innovation and problem-solving skills as a responsible corporate citizen.”

To stay updated on the Solve for Tomorrow competition, including announcements, progress and results, be sure to follow the official Samsung Solve for Tomorrow channels. You can find the latest information on the Samsung Newsroom and the Solve for Tomorrow section of the Samsung website. These are the best places to get accurate and timely updates on the competition as it unfolds.