MANCOSA AI Hackathon 2026 Builds South Africa's Future Tech Talent

As the world becomes increasingly digitised and interconnected, artificial intelligence is transforming industries, economies and everyday life. However, technological progress also creates complex challenges that demand advanced digital skills, critical thinking and innovative problem-solving.

For South Africa, preparing young people to navigate this evolving landscape is essential to economic growth and social development.

“Higher education institutions have a crucial responsibility to equip future professionals with the knowledge, creativity and practical experience needed to develop technology that addresses local challenges and global demands,” says Farad Chohan:  School Manager of the MANCOSA School of Information and Digital Technology.

Preparing South Africa for an AI-Driven Future

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to international technology companies. It is transforming how South Africans learn, bank, conduct business and access essential services.

For a country facing high youth unemployment, educational inequality and infrastructure challenges, AI presents opportunities to improve productivity, expand economic participation and strengthen service delivery.

“However, these benefits depend on developing professionals who can design, implement and evaluate technological solutions rather than simply consume imported innovations,” says Chohan

MANCOSA is addressing this challenge through its School of Information and Digital Technology (SIDT), which integrates digital literacy, applied AI and responsible innovation into its educational approach.

The institution recognises that technical knowledge alone is insufficient. Graduates must understand how technology interacts with society, recognise its limitations and develop solutions that reflect local circumstances.

Industry collaboration plays an important role in this process, connecting students with practitioners who understand the practical demands of modern workplaces.

MANCOSA Hackathon 2026 Brings Innovation Into Practice
On October 23 and 24, MANCOSA hosted its 2026 Hackathon at its Auckland Park campus in Johannesburg.

Organised by SIDT, the event attracted 800 applicants, with 80 successful participants selected to develop technology-driven solutions to pressing societal challenges.

Under the theme Solving Complex Challenges Through Technology and Innovation, participants worked alongside industry mentors, technology specialists and experienced judges.

The event challenged students to move beyond theoretical knowledge by identifying problems, researching potential solutions, developing functional prototypes and presenting their innovations.

Participants selected from nine challenges aligned with three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education (SDG 4), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).

These challenges included AI-powered educational tools, offline learning applications, cold-chain monitoring for small retailers, water-leak detection and systems addressing illegal dumping.

The initiative demonstrated how technological innovation can respond to everyday challenges affecting South African communities.

Industry Experts Equip Students With Future-Ready Skills

Preparation began two weeks before the Hackathon through masterclasses facilitated by industry specialists.

Sam Ngobeni, Director of Startup Grind Johannesburg, explored design thinking, while Chris Ainslie, General Manager at FirstCore.AI, addressed data sovereignty and locally sustainable technological solutions.

Sarah Findlay, Impact Consultant at Open Cities Lab, examined responsible technology development. Adam Lin, Director of Sheen Robotics, introduced prototyping techniques and the hackathon development process.

Ming Ai, Founder and Chief Innovation and Ecosystem Architect at PROPELLER, discussed China's AI innovation landscape and its implications for global technology developers.

During the event, Lin demonstrated rapid AI and hardware prototyping using the Sheenbot.

Mishka Singh, an Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa and Academic Programme Leader at MANCOSA, addressed intellectual property and ethical considerations.

Raeesa Ebrahim from MANCOSA's iTeach Lab introduced participants to immersive virtual reality learning experiences.

Additional contributions included an interactive workshop facilitated by Weich Malan, Founder and Director of Many Worlds, and a presentation by Malcolm Haefner, General Manager: Intelligent Buildings at First Technology, examining the relationship between human capabilities and workplace AI.

These engagements provided practical exposure to emerging technologies while encouraging students to consider their social and professional implications.

Developing Technology That Reflects South African Realities

A central message of the Hackathon was that successful technological innovation must respond to the circumstances of its intended users.

“According to Statistics South Africa's 2023 General Household Survey, only 14.5% of households had fixed internet access at home, while 72.6% relied primarily on mobile internet,” says Chohan adding that these figures highlight the importance of developing affordable, accessible solutions that accommodate connectivity limitations.

An educational application requiring continuous high-speed internet, for example, may exclude learners who could benefit most from additional support.

“Similarly, affordable stock-monitoring technology could help spaza shops reduce waste, while water-monitoring systems could assist municipalities in identifying infrastructure problems earlier,” says Chohan.

By focusing on practical challenges, students explored how AI can contribute to economic inclusion, educational accessibility and improved community services.

The Hackathon also reinforced the importance of ethical development, including data privacy, transparency and consideration of communities that might otherwise be excluded.

Senzani Smart Vest Wins With Women's Safety Innovation

The winning team developed the Senzani Smart Vest, a wearable technology prototype designed to improve women's personal safety.

The innovation responded to gender-based violence, one of South Africa's most pressing social challenges, by exploring how technology could support women's freedom of movement.

The team drew inspiration from Elizabeth "Tsontso" Moselakgomo, a Kempton Park runner who disappeared and was subsequently found dead in September 2026.

Her death deeply affected running communities and highlighted concerns surrounding women's safety in public spaces.

The Senzani Smart Vest demonstrated how emerging technology can be directed towards challenges extending beyond conventional commercial applications.

Winning teams received prizes including cash, robotics kits and technology devices, sponsored by MANCOSA and participating industry partners.

These awards recognised technical achievement while encouraging participants to continue developing their ideas beyond the competition.

Industry Partnerships Strengthen the Innovation Ecosystem

The Hackathon benefited from partnerships with Vodacom Business, Datacentrix, First Technology, Sheen Robotics, Many Worlds, Open Cities Lab, Startup Grind Johannesburg, ICITP and DotNext.

These partners contributed mentorship, judging expertise, prizes and educational sessions, helping connect classroom learning with industry expectations.

Chohan emphasised the importance of preparing graduates to shape technological change.

"AI will shape South Africa's economy whether we are ready or not. Our job as educators is to make sure our graduates are the ones shaping it," says Chohan.

He highlighted students' ability to address challenges ranging from women's safety to infrastructure maintenance and educational accessibility.

"What we saw this weekend were students taking real South African problems, from women's safety to water leaks to learners without data, and building solutions that work in our context."

Chohan emphasised that future readiness requires confidence, sound judgment and a commitment to applying technology where it can make a meaningful difference.

Building an Inclusive Digital Future

The MANCOSA Hackathon represents an important step towards developing South Africa's next generation of technology professionals. By combining practical experience, industry mentorship and responsible innovation, the initiative equips students to confront challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.

MANCOSA intends to expand opportunities for applied AI learning and collaboration, ensuring that technological education remains relevant to community needs. As digital transformation accelerates, empowering young South Africans to create accessible, locally relevant solutions will be essential to building a more inclusive and resilient economy.

ISSUED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF MANCOSA

By: JONATHAN FAURIE OF BULLION PR & COMMUNICATION

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