Sifiso Nkabinde Builds Coding Skills at Clubhouse
He’s been coding for six years, attends hackathons, builds apps, and still considers himself a beginner. Sifiso Nkabinde is 15-years-old and a member of the Sci-Bono Clubhouse in Newtown, Johannesburg, South Africa. It goes without saying that Sifiso has a love for computer programming. The Sci-Bono Clubhouse has become a place for him to grow.
Sifiso says “I go twice a week to Sci-Bono to improve my coding skills. I have been trying to come up with several apps and when I go there, I get to work on them.”
He started off by disassembling the toys his parents bought him. Tinkering and the desire to learn how they worked led him to robotics. Robotics, in turn, led him to computer programming.
Sifiso’s app projects include everything from transportation hailing to personal security. Some of his apps have been developed at hackathons hosted by ITWeb, TadHack, and Microsoft, winning awards and other recognitions along the way.
Geekulcha, a platform and community for South Africans in tech, recently named Sifiso one of their Top 15 Geeks. He’s the youngest on the list of those recognized for their contributions to the South African technology ecosystem.
What’s next for Sifiso? He has his sights set on studying at MIT, home of the MIT Media Lab, founding collaborators of The Clubhouse Network. He then hopes to start his own company.
The Sci-Bono Clubhouse is one of five Clubhouses located in South Africa. Earlier this year, it hosted members, mentors, alumni, and professional staff from the other four South Africa Clubhouses for a first-of-its-kind regional conference. These five Clubhouses in South Africa are members of The Clubhouse Network, a global community comprised of more than 100 Clubhouses in 19 countries, providing 25,000 youth per year with access to resources, skills, and experiences to help them succeed in their careers, contribute to their communities, and lead outstanding lives.