By Kgothatso Monono
The Ga-Rankuwa Campus Multipurpose Hall buzzed with energy as innovation, collaboration and coding brilliance came alive during the 7th Annual Tshwane Varsity Hackathon (TVH). Hosted by the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) in partnership with the City of Tshwane (CoT), Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) and Nelekat, the three-day event turned ideas into impact.
Themed “Driving real-world solutions through student innovation,” the hackathon brought together students, educators, industry partners and local government in a marathon of creativity and problem-solving.
A total of 16 teams from TUT, UNISA, University of Pretoria and Sefako Makgatho Health and Science University joined forces to tackle community-driven digital challenges through technology.
A total of sixteen teams from various institutions participated in the 7th annual Tshwane Varsity Hackathon.
Opening the Stage for Innovation
The event kicked off with Dr Khuliso Sigama, Academic Manager for the Department of Computer Science at TUT’s Polokwane Campus, who reaffirmed the Faculty’s commitment to advancing innovation through strong academic-industry partnerships.
Quintin Magaseng, TVH Chief Organiser and FoICT Lecturer, reflected on the event’s steady growth since inception and how it has become a powerful launchpad for student innovation in Tshwane.
Dr Khuliso Sigama, Academic Manager for the Department of Computer Science at TUT’s Polokwane Campus
Cllr Dr Nasiphi Moya, Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane
Adding institutional weight, Cllr Dr Nasiphi Moya, Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, commended the collaboration between the university and municipality, reinforcing CoT’s mission to nurture youth-led smart city solutions.
The hackathon received robust support from key partners. Sipho Somo, Manager of MTN’s Prepaid Tshwane Region, encouraged students to keep driving digital transformation through innovation, while Prof Caroline Khoathane, Assistant Dean at FEBE, emphasised the importance of cross-disciplinary teamwork between ICT and engineering.
Other sponsors included Motse Innovation Centre, Faethem, IQ Business, Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and THINKTank.
Representing TUT leadership, Dr Rita Raseleka, Director of Research and Innovation, delivered a message on behalf of the DVC: Research, Innovation and Engagement, highlighting the hackathon as a model for integrating research with real-world application.
From concept to code
Under the banner “Hack Away”, teams began their projects at 12:10 on 21 September and worked tirelessly through the night until 23 September. Students brainstormed, built and refined digital solutions for urban challenges presented by Sipho Nxasane, Senior Internal Innovation Specialist at CoT.
Midnight pitching sessions kept energy levels high and encouraged teams to fine-tune their ideas. Moeketsi Kema, a former TVH participant turned tech professional, inspired participants with his story of transformation from student coder to industry leader.
The final day opened with remarks from Morongoe Mashoeng, TVH’s first Chief Organiser, who applauded the dedication of students, mentors and partners.
From 09:15 to 12:15, teams presented their final innovations to a panel of judges including Dr Tshimangadzo Tshilongamulenzhe (Information Technology) and Vuyisile Memani (Computer Science). Projects ranged from smart service delivery platforms to environmental monitoring systems and public safety solutions.
Representing TUT leadership, Dr Rita Raseleka, Director of Research and Innovation
Lecturers and judges: Vuyisile Memani (Computer Science) and Dr Tshimangadzo Tshilongamulenzhe (Information Technology)
After rigorous evaluation, the top five teams were selected to move forward in the innovation development process, with the top three to be announced at the prize-giving ceremony.
Mashitishi Phurutsi, FoICT Lecturer and Unit Manager of ICT First Year and Foundation Unit (FYFU), gave an insightful overview of University Hackathon Series (UHS) research activities and their relevance to the hackathon. He served as the UHS Chief of Delegation.
Mashitishi Phurutsi, FoICT Lecturer and Unit Manager of ICT First Year and Foundation Unit (FYFU
The 7th Annual Tshwane Varsity Hackathon proved to be more than just a competition; it was a hub of ideation, collaboration, and opportunity. Through the continued support of TUT’s Faculty of ICT and the City of Tshwane, the hackathon has established itself as a flagship platform for nurturing local digital talent and encouraging student-led problem-solving that benefits the broader community. As music and laughter filled the hall and students celebrated over lunch, one message rang true: Innovation lives here and it starts with our students.