TVH Winners shine at EDHE Studentpreneurs Indaba 2026

Three winning teams from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology's (ICT) Tshwane Varsity Hackathon (TVH) 2025 showcased their innovative solutions on a national platform after being invited to exhibit at the prestigious Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) ABSA Studentpreneurs Indaba 2026.

From left Yamkela Zele, Ambiwe Masingi and Matome Maake. Hosted at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Boksburg, Gauteng, from 9 to 11 September 2026, the annual event brought together student entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, industry partners and other stakeholders to exchange ideas, explore collaborations and celebrate entrepreneurial excellence.

For the TVH 2025 winners, the invitation marked a significant milestone, providing an opportunity to take their innovations beyond the hackathon environment and engage with a broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Representing Ubuntu Hackers, the overall winners of TVH 2025, Scrum Master Matome Maake showcased Viginet, an integrated hardware and software solution developed to combat infrastructure vandalism and cable theft.

Exhibiting in the main Student Market, Ubuntu Hackers attracted interest from visitors, potential stakeholders and fellow innovators. The platform enabled the team to demonstrate the practical applications of Viginet, discuss the challenges it addresses and receive valuable feedback from a diverse audience.

Second-place team Cyber Geek, represented by Scrum Master Ambiwe Masingi, presented Aqua Balance, a web-based water management system designed to address water-use challenges arising from the rapid growth of car wash businesses in the City of Tshwane.

The solution features digital registration for car wash owners, monitoring of water sources and consumption, payment verification, compliance management and educational resources. Aqua Balance also incorporates geolocation functionality and an interactive chatbot to assist users.

Participation in the exhibition allowed the team to engage directly with potential investors, sponsors and industry stakeholders, providing valuable insights into the solution's market relevance and long-term implementation potential.

Third-place winners Kasi Konnect were represented by Yamkela Zele, who introduced the team's digital platform aimed at connecting township businesses, freelancers, residents and municipalities.

Designed to support township economic development and improve access to opportunities, Kasi Konnect generated considerable interest among attendees. Through live demonstrations and stakeholder engagements, the team gathered constructive feedback while exploring opportunities to expand the platform's reach and impact.

For the students, participating in the EDHE ABSA Studentpreneurs Indaba was about far more than exhibiting their projects. It offered a unique opportunity to test and refine their ideas in a real-world entrepreneurial environment, engage with industry leaders and gain first-hand experience in pitching innovative solutions.

Their presence at the national event demonstrated the transformative role of initiatives such as the Tshwane Varsity Hackathon, which continues to provide emerging innovators with pathways to develop, validate and showcase solutions that address pressing societal challenges.

Reflecting on the experience, the students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to represent both their innovations and the University on a prominent national stage. Their participation highlighted the growing potential of student-led innovation and reinforced the importance of creating platforms that empower young entrepreneurs to translate ideas into impactful solutions.

The achievements of Ubuntu Hackers, Cyber Geek and Kasi Konnect serve as a powerful reminder of the value of nurturing innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship among students, while positioning their solutions for future growth, investment and community impact.