by Kgothatso Monono and Mosima Rafapa
The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT), in partnership with the City of Tshwane, officially launched the 7th annual Tshwane Varsity Hackathon (TVH) on Thursday, 15 May 2025, at the Soshanguve Campus. This year, the event also featured collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE), highlighting a multidisciplinary approach to innovation.
Scheduled to take place from 22–23 September 2025 at the Ga-Rankuwa Campus Multi-Purpose Hall, the Hackathon will gather some of the brightest and most creative minds from across the city for an intense 48-hour competition focused on innovation and problem-solving. Participants will include teams from TUT, the University of Pretoria, the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, ensuring a diverse talent pool to address real-world challenges through coding.
In his welcome address, Mashitishi Phurutsi, Chairperson of the University Hackathon Series (UHS), emphasised that the Hackathon is more than just a competition; it is a necessary response to South Africa's National Development Plan Vision 2030, particularly Chapter 9, which addresses Education, Training and Innovation.
“FoICT is committed to generating future-ready graduates who will contribute meaningfully to society through research, innovation and technology transfer. TVH is more than a coding competition; it is a bridge that links students' powerful ideas with the tools and support necessary to turn them into reality. This is where learning meets doing, where creativity meets purpose,” he said.
Mashitishi Phurutsi, University Hackathon Series (UHS) Chairperson
The 7th Annual TVH is made possible through the generous support of NELEKAT and MTN. Their sponsorships play a vital role in creating an event that supports innovation and the development of future tech leaders. These partnerships also provide exciting opportunities to participants for connecting with leading industry players. The University Capacity Development Grant (UCDG) has also played a critical role in the launch.
"This Hackathon is not just about coding but about developing smart solutions for real societal problems. We are pleased to share this journey with talented young minds building the future,” said Dr Thato Shuping, Director of the Innovation Unit, City of Tshwane.
TVH's broader goals include helping students bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing practical and flexible digital solutions. It enables students to develop African digital solutions and incubate their projects through collaboration with the industry.
Dr Etienne van Wyk, Executive Dean for FoICT, highlighted the Hackathon as a unique opportunity for students to tackle real-world issues in a dynamic, high-energy environment
"TUT is firmly committed to developing the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators and leaders. This Hackathon is a great example of how we can come together from different universities to leverage knowledge, expertise and creativity for addressing real-world issues," he said.
Faculty of ICT Executive Dean, Dr Etienne van Wyk, with students and collaborating stakeholders from various institutions and organisations.
TUT’s Dr Rita Raseleka, Director of Research, Innovation and Engagement, announced that the 2025 TVH will introduce a series of Most Viable Product (MVP) development activities as part of its pre-event build-up. These activities will provide participants with essential training through webinars and masterclasses, ensuring teams are well-equipped to develop high-quality solutions.
“This approach aims to promote a more competitive and impactful innovation environment, improving the overall quality of submissions and ensuring a balanced level of competition,” she said.
Sharing her success story, Bathabile Mkhabela, a recent Multimedia Computing Cum Laude graduate, reflected on winning a first place at the sixth annual TVH. “The experience taught me how to start and complete a project in a brief time frame. The hackathon really introduced us to the tech industry, teaching us how to collaborate effectively, build a working solution and confidently present it. I gained technical and soft skills, including teamwork, time management and communication. TVH helped me discover both my strengths and areas that need growth.”