Recently more than 30 schools gathered at the Amazon Think Big Space in Cape Town for the Amazon Think Big Community Challenge – a global initiative, in partnership with global performance footwear brand Brooks Running, which puts AI tools in the hands of young South Africans to design sneakers using recycled materials.
Over the next few months, students aged 13–16 will work in teams to use a generative AI-powered design app built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud and AI technology to turn their ideas into sneaker concepts on Brooks shoes, learning about sustainable design, and digital skills in the process. At the end of the competition, a judging panel will select a global winner from the top 10 finalist teams worldwide. Each member of the winning team will receive a pair of Brooks sneakers customized with their submitted design.
In addition, the event marked the start of the Coding4Africa Mandela Month campaign, a STEM education initiative that develops computational thinking, problem-solving, collaboration and creativity through Tangible coding games. It will culminate in the Tangible World Cup on 5 November 2026, where top-performing learners compete internationally with schools connected through Amazon Think Big Spaces and partner networks around the world.
In a country where UNESCO estimates Sub-Saharan Africa needs 6.3 million additional teachers to achieve universal primary education by 2030, and where nearly 4 in 5 employers globally say AI talent is a priority but 75% struggle to find it, initiatives like this represent more than a classroom activity. They represent an investment in narrowing the digital skills gap at the age when it matters most, the critical window of 13–16 when many young people decide whether to pursue STEM subjects.
“We believe cloud and AI technology can help learners unlock their full potential,” said Paul Meaney, Director of Infrastructure Operations at AWS. “That’s why we created this programme; for students to learn how to partner with AI to bring their own ideas to life. It’s not a concept in a textbook; it’s a creative tool they can use right now.”
Through the Think Big Space, many learners now have access to AWS’ cloud and AI technology, not as a concept discussed in theory, but as tangible tools they use to create with their own hands.
“I have really enjoyed being part of the coding club,” said Bukho Lobola, a learner from Kraaifontein High School. “The sessions are fun and interactive, and I have learnt new coding skills that I did not know before. I especially enjoy solving problems and creating projects with other learners. The coding club has helped me become more confident in solving problems and thinking creatively.”
Amazon has more than 116 Think Big Spaces around the world, providing STEM education access to more than 110 000 students. The Think Big Space in Cape Town is the first one in Africa and was launched in 2025. It aims to reach 10,000 learners (Grade 8-12) across six South African provinces through partnerships with local NPOs such as Tangible Africa.
