Code. Create. Transform.
By Arnold Nkuna
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) celebrated the 7th Annual Tshwane Varsity Hackathon Prize Giving Ceremony in partnership with the City of Tshwane, MTN South Africa, IQ Business, Amazon Web Services, Nelekat and other industry collaborators. The event convened students from four universities across the capital – TUT, the University of Pretoria (UP), the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU).
Distinguished guests included Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, TUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement; Dr Etienne van Wyk, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology; Councillor Kholofelo Morodi, the City of Tshwane’s MMC for Corporate and Shared Services; and MTN’s Sipo Somo, Manager of Regional Operations.
Distinguished guests included Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, TUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement; Dr Etienne van Wyk, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology
The Hackathon, held in September 2025, showcased three days of intense innovation, teamwork and coding excellence, culminating in the recent glitzy prize-giving ceremony. The event continues to strengthen ties between academia, industry and government while nurturing a new generation of tech innovators.
Dr Papu-Zamxaka commended the participants for their creativity and determination, while MMC Morodi said the City of Tshwane views such initiatives as vital to developing solutions for service delivery challenges.
Somo added that Africa’s true wealth lies in its youth, whose “can-do spirit” will power the continent’s digital future.
The 2025 challenge tasked student teams with developing real-world municipal solutions for issues such as water management, cable theft and digital inclusion. More than 750 students applied, with 150 selected to compete across 16 teams. Five finalists presented their prototypes to a judging panel representing academia, industry and local government.
Top three winners:
- Ubuntu Hackers – First place for Notiza App, a crime and cable theft alert system using hidden sensors, solar-powered CCTV and AI-based prediction tools.
- Cybergeeks – Second place for Aqua Balance, a water management platform promoting sustainable use and compliance.
- Bit by Bit – Third place for Kasi Connect, linking township-based freelancers and small businesses to funding and municipal opportunities.
Prizes included digital devices, Microsoft certification vouchers and enterprise development support worth R30 000 from the RMCERI (Rail Manufacturing Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator).
The Hackathon’s success rests on its collaborative model. Participants tackled real problem statements from the City of Tshwane and received mentorship from TUT’s Faculty of ICT and industry experts. Over three days, they honed coding, teamwork and innovation skills under high-pressure conditions.
Dr Etienne van Wyk described Hackathons as “learning laboratories” where theory meets practice, allowing students to transform classroom knowledge into community impact. Through continued support from RMCERI and TUT’s Innovation and Technology Transfer Office (ITTO), promising prototypes are further developed and commercialised, contributing to South Africa’s innovation ecosystem and Tshwane’s Smart City goals.
The 7th Annual Tshwane Varsity Hackathon reaffirmed the power of innovation, collaboration and youthful ingenuity. As the event concluded, one message stood out — every participant was a winner. Their creativity and resilience embody TUT’s motto, “We Make Knowledge Work,” and signal a future where young minds lead Tshwane’s digital transformation in South Africa and beyond.