by Kgothatso Monono

The City of Tshwane and the Tshwane University of Technology proudly hosted the 6th Annual Tshwane Varsity Hackathon. This year’s event brought together a diverse group of participants, including hackers, industry coaches, sponsors and esteemed judges, all united in their mission to innovate and tackle real-world challenges.

The event, held on 18 - 20 October 2024, was attended by Dr Nasiphi Moya, the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, who underscored the importance of youth innovation in shaping the future of the city.

"This platform is a true reflection of the innovation and determination of our youth. To all the participants, your ideas and solutions are shaping the future of our city and beyond. Keep pushing boundaries, stay focused, and never stop learning. You are the driving force behind tomorrow’s breakthroughs. The City of Tshwane will certainly need your innovative ideas if it is to compete globally as a smart city," she remarked.

Elesa Ntuli, the 2024 Chief Organiser of the hackathon, along with the dedicated organising team, ensured the event ran smoothly. A special mention goes to the lead-team organisers whose hard work and commitment were instrumental in creating a conducive environment for innovation and creativity.

University Hackathon Series representative Mashitishi Phurutsi.

Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement at TUT said the hackathon is aligned with TUT’s strategic pillars, one of which is to ensure that graduates are future ready. 

The hackathon showcased the collaborative spirit of the University Hackathon Series, spearheaded by Mashitishi Phurutsi from TUT’s Faculty of ICT. Phurutsi highlighted the significance of hackathons in today’s educational landscape.

"A hackathon as a playground is a beneficial festival to practice design science and perform under pressure. It is an opportunity to enhance digital skills for the future of work,” he said.

 The success of the hackathon was made possible by the generous support of numerous partners and sponsors, including Agile Alliance, Nelekat, FaethM, the University of Pretoria (UP), Switch Energy Drink, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), IQ Business, ThinkTank, and AWS Academy. Their contributions underscored the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in addressing skills gaps and fostering innovation.

Lecturers, tutors, student mentors, and university staff played a crucial role in guiding participants throughout the event, while academics from SMU, UP and the University of South Africa enriched the experience with their expertise and insights. The involvement of industry coaches and mentors provided invaluable guidance, ensuring that participants were well-equipped to tackle the challenges presented.

At the prize-giving ceremony which took place on 1 November, Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement at TUT said the hackathon was aligned with TUT’s strategic pillars. She said TUT aims to prepare future-ready graduates who make societal impact through research, innovation, engagement and technology transfer to foster growth, development and sustainability.

The 6th Annual Tshwane Varsity Hackathon was more than just a competition; it was a celebration of the spirit of innovation, determination and collaboration that defines youth.  

2024 TVH Champions.

Judges, sponsors, coaches, guests, event organisers.

Dr Nasiphi Moya, the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane,
says the city needs innovative ideas if it is to compete globally
as a smart city.

6th annual TVH participants.

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