Young Engineers Shine as Inaugural YEM Hackathon Celebrates South Africa's Next Generation of Innovators

Johannesburg, June 2026 – After five inspiring days of innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving, the inaugural Young Engineers Movement (YEM) Hackathon, hosted by ORT South Africa in partnership with Hudaco, concluded with a vibrant exhibition showcasing the remarkable ingenuity of 55 high school learners from underserved communities.

Throughout the week, learners immersed themselves in coding, engineering, design thinking, and prototyping, transforming creative ideas into practical technology-driven solutions for real-world challenges.

Guided by industry mentors and facilitators, participants demonstrated not only technical ability but also resilience, teamwork, and an inspiring determination to create meaningful change.

Showcasing Innovation

The programme culminated in an exhibition where teams proudly presented their working prototypes to a panel of judges, invited guests, industry partners, educators, and members of the public.

The atmosphere was one of excitement and celebration as learners confidently explained their engineering process, demonstrated their innovations, and answered questions about the impact of their solutions.

Award-Winning Teams

Three outstanding teams were recognised for their achievements:

Primary School Winners:

Ebony Park Primary School – for Trash to Trash Segregation System.

Which learners can earn vouchers and discount points for recycling.

Secondary School Winners:

Curtis Nkondo SOS – Bio Spark – Using organic waste and converting it to electricity.

Audience Choice Award:

Phumlani Primary School – The SSI Monitoring System – A system to monitor moisture and leaking pipes.

Winning teams received an exciting range of prizes, including laptops, tablets, coding and robotics equipment, vouchers, and other technology resources designed to support their continued STEM journey.

Building Future-Ready Skills

The Young Engineers Movement was created to address one of South Africa's greatest challenges: equipping young people with the future-ready skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.

The Hackathon demonstrated what is possible when talented young people are given access to mentorship, technology, and opportunities to innovate.

From coding and electronics to engineering design and public speaking, learners developed practical skills while gaining confidence in their ability to solve problems that matter.

Acknowledgements

ORT South Africa extends its sincere gratitude to Hudaco, whose partnership made the inaugural YEM Hackathon possible.

We also thank RS Components South Africa, King David Linksfield High, and RoboFactory SA for their generous sponsorship of prizes and their commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers, innovators, and technology leaders.

Looking Ahead

As ORT South Africa celebrates 90 years of impact in 2026, initiatives such as the Young Engineers Movement reflect the organisation's continued commitment to expanding access to quality STEM education and creating pathways into meaningful careers.

The success of the inaugural YEM Hackathon has laid the foundation for what promises to become a flagship programme empowering future innovators across South Africa.

About ORT South Africa

For nearly 90 years, ORT South Africa has empowered individuals and communities through education, skills development, and entrepreneurship.

As an accredited, award-winning non-profit organisation affiliated with World ORT, ORT SA equips people with the knowledge, opportunities, and confidence to build sustainable futures in a rapidly changing world.

For more information about the Young Engineers Movement, visit:

https://www.ortsa.org.za/young-engineers-movement-yem/