SA wins bid to host World Robot Olympiad

South Africa has secured the honor of hosting the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) International Final in 2028, bringing the prestigious global robotics competition to the African continent. WRO participation in South Africa has surged from about 40 teams in 2010 to an estimated 1,800 teams in 2025. The international final annually draws top teams from worldwide WRO competitions; in 2023, it featured 595 teams from 91 countries at the Singapore venue.

Cape Town will welcome the 2028 International Final at the Cape Town International Convention Centre during the second week of December, according to a statement.

For local students, hosting the event means competing on the world stage without leaving the country. Danie Heymans, national organizer of WRO South Africa, run under the Resolute Foundation, aims to broaden the reach of robotics competitions among young people before 2028. "We want to include many more of our young people into the wonderful world of robotics and competitions," Heymans stated.

Siviwe Gwarube, South Africa's minister of basic education, praised the WRO International Finals 2028 in South Africa, commending the contribution of South African judges to international events, accounting for one in four global judges at recent WRO finals. South African judges gain firsthand experience of international competitions, which they share with schools and communities upon returning home.

Currently, WRO South Africa boasts participation across all nine provinces, with organizers aiming to deepen its influence into underrepresented schools and communities by 2028. Claus Ditlev Christensen, secretary-general of the World Robot Olympiad Association, acknowledged the significant growth of WRO in South Africa and highlighted the valuable input of local educators and judges on the international stage.

As planning for the event progresses, further details on competition dates, participation, and the program will be released.