WATCH: Mogale hackathon empowers youth to build solutions for Gauteng
Two days of creativity, collaboration, and fresh ideas came together as young people showcased their talent, passion, and problem-solving skills.
Coding, collaboration and cutting-edge innovation took centre stage as young tech enthusiasts gathered to develop digital solutions aimed at tackling some of Gauteng’s most pressing community challenges.
The Gauteng Department of e-Government officially launched the Youth Tech Expo G13 Hackathon, bringing together aspiring developers, innovators and technology enthusiasts eager to use technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and creative thinking to drive meaningful social impact.
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The hackathon, which took place on June 4 and 5 at Town Hall in the CBD, formed part of the provincial government’s commitment to equipping young people with digital skills while empowering them to become active contributors to community development.
A total of 120 participants were selected to take part, with many expressing excitement about the opportunity to showcase their talents, collaborate with like-minded peers and gain hands-on experience in emerging technologies. Participants described the hackathon as a valuable platform for learning, networking and developing solutions capable of improving the quality of life for communities across Gauteng.
Participants were introduced to a range of challenges linked to the G13 priorities, including crime, vandalism, infrastructure failures, service delivery issues, unemployment, land invasion, water security, energy-related challenges and gender-based violence (GBV).
Working in teams, participants were tasked with designing innovative and practical solutions capable of creating lasting impact within communities.
Throughout the opening sessions, speakers encouraged participants to think beyond conventional approaches and embrace innovation as a tool for positive social change. They were challenged to explore how technology can improve service delivery, strengthen public safety and create economic opportunities.
Teams were encouraged to develop applications, websites, AI-powered systems, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and other digital tools capable of responding effectively to community needs.
Addressing participants, Gauteng MEC for e-Government Bonginkosi Dhlamini urged the young innovators to use technology to solve societal challenges.
We are allowing you to use ICT and AI to solve challenges facing our communities,” said Dhlamini.
The best teams will advance to the next stage, and the winners will be announced on July 1.
A key focus of the programme is demonstrating how technology can address everyday problems in practical and sustainable ways. Organisers reminded participants that innovation is not only about advanced technologies, but also about creating accessible and effective solutions capable of making a real difference in people’s lives.
The event is supported by Algoatwork Robotics Academy, which is providing mentorship and technical guidance throughout the hackathon. Experienced facilitators and industry professionals are assisting participants with idea generation, project planning, prototyping and presentations.
Government officials also highlighted the growing importance of digital skills in an evolving economy and emphasised the role of technology in driving innovation and economic growth. Participants were encouraged to view themselves not only as learners, but also as future entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders capable of contributing to solutions for some of the province’s biggest challenges.
Beyond the competition itself, the Youth Tech Expo serves as an important learning platform where participants can strengthen key skills such as teamwork, communication, critical thinking, coding, project management and problem-solving.
As the hackathon progresses, teams will continue refining their concepts before presenting them to a panel of judges. Projects will be evaluated based on innovation, relevance, practicality, sustainability and potential community impact. The most promising solutions could receive opportunities for further development and support.
Under the theme “Build, Innovate, Impact”, the Hackathon reflects a shared commitment between government, industry partners and local communities to invest in young people and foster a culture of innovation aimed at building a smarter, more inclusive and digitally driven Gauteng.
