R100,000 of Samsung equipment for innovative solutions

Samsung runs several initiatives in South Africa aimed at helping the country’s youth shift from job seekers to innovators who can solve real-world problems.

One such example is its Solve for Tomorrow Competition, which the company has run in South Africa since 2023.

The competition received 143 submissions in 2026, up from 47 in 2025, and Samsung has now named the top 20 schools in this year’s competition.

These schools are in the running to win R100,000 worth of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) equipment from Samsung.

This year’s competition is running under the global themes of Social Inclusion through Sports & Technology and Environmental Sustainability via Technology.

“The themes, which seek to foster innovation among high school learners from underprivileged backgrounds throughout South Africa, encourage critical thinking and problem solving,” Samsung said.

Elspeth Khembo, Basic Education Department director of mathematics, science and technology, curriculum innovation, said the Samsung partnership directly aligned with national education priorities.

Khembo said the programme was advancing efforts to strengthen STEM education, helping to expand learning opportunities and cultivate future-ready skills among South African learners.

Grade 10 and 11 learners from the Top 20 schools will be equipped with the four essential “C” skills for solving real-world challenges: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

The North West had the highest number of schools to progress to the competition’s next stage, with four making the cut. The Free State and Limpopo each had three schools that made it into the top 20.

Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape each had two schools that progressed, while the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces had one each.

These schools are in the running to win substantial prizes, with first place securing up to R100,000 in STEM equipment for their school.

The school that places second will receive R50,000 worth of equipment, while the school that places third will receive R30,000. The top learners at these schools will also receive Samsung devices.

Strong growth in three years

The competition has existed globally since 2010. For the first local edition in 2023, Samsung partnered with the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).

51 pre-selected public schools from across the country participated that year, and the pool was narrowed down to the top 10 schools for the advanced stages.

Ultimately, the Mbilwi Secondary School from Venda, Limpopo, was announced as the winner, winning a R100,000 cash prize.

The 2024 competition saw the Mandisa Shiceka High School in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, take home the prize after beating nine finalists.

Mbilwi Secondary School participated again in 2024 and secured second place, while Adams College from Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, placed third.

In 2025, Tembisa West Secondary School in Gauteng took home the R100,000 grand prize, with Umlazi Comprehensive Technical High School in KwaZulu-Natal taking second place and receiving R50,000.

Koffiefontein Combined School in the Free State took third place and received a R30,000 prize. The table below lists the public schools that progressed to the next stage of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026.

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