TSHWANE VARSITY HACKATHON (TVH) 2026

About the 2026 Tshwane Hackathon

The Tshwane Varsity Hackathon (TVH), established in 2018 by the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) through the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) First Year and Foundation Unit (FYFU) then Manager, Mr. Mashitishi Phurutshi, is an annual coding competition designed to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and problem-solving among students.

TVH is a collaborative initiative between the Faculty of ICT and the Directorate of Research, Engagement and Innovation (RE&I), with the City of Tshwane (CoT) joining as a strategic partner in 2022. The hackathon aligns with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030, particularly Chapter 9 on “Improving Education, Training and Innovation,” and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

The initiative further aligns with TUT’s Institutional Strategic Plan (ISP) 2026–2035, which positions the university as a leading entrepreneurial university of technology. By fostering entrepreneurial thinking, research, innovation and community engagement, TVH contributes to developing future-ready graduates while supporting the City of Tshwane’s priorities of building an inclusive innovation ecosystem, establishing strategic platforms, and strengthening value-adding innovation programmes.

Why the Hackathon Matters

The Tshwane Hackathon is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, with a strong focus on agile software development, cloud computing, and emerging digital technologies.

Now in its 8th year, the 2026 edition introduces a more intentional and impact-driven approach, moving beyond a once-off event into a structured innovation journey.

What’s New in 2026

1. Extended Format with Pre-Hackathon Sprints
Participants will engage in preparatory sprints leading up to the main event. These include hands-on training, mentorship, and technical onboarding to ensure teams are fully equipped to build meaningful solutions.

2. TVH Brand Identity Design Challenge
Each edition will feature a dedicated challenge to design the official Tshwane Hackathon brand identity. This fosters creativity while ensuring visual consistency, continuity, and stronger brand recognition across platforms.

Core Objectives

• Promote knowledge exchange in agile development and cloud technologies
• Create a collaborative space beyond traditional academic environments
• Grow and strengthen the agile and cloud ecosystem within South African universities
• Provide a productive and engaging alternative during the spring academic recess
• Empower young innovators to co-create solutions for African challenges
• Support the incubation and scaling of high-impact digital products

How It Works

In-Person Experience

The hackathon will be hosted on-site at New Hall, TUT Ga-Rankuwa Campus, enabling real-time collaboration, networking, and innovation.

Kickoff & Project Briefing

The event will begin with official briefings, including challenge guidelines, expectations, and evaluation criteria.

Original Innovation Only

Participants are required to build new, original solutions during the hackathon.
Pre-existing projects will not be accepted.

Challenge Design Process

• Challenge Sourcing
  Real-world problem statements will be collected from the City of Tshwane, industry partners, and academic institutions.
• Curation & Backlog Creation
  The organising team will refine and structure these challenges into a working backlog.
• Live Challenge Reveal
  Challenges will be revealed for the first time on the day of the hackathon, encouraging spontaneity, creativity, and innovative thinking.

Digital Tools & Platforms

To support collaboration and delivery, participants will leverage:

• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet
• WhatsApp
• GitHub
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Additional relevant tools and platforms

Target Participants

The hackathon will bring together:

• TUT students across relevant faculties
• Innovators and developers from universities across Tshwane
• Tech talent from township communities

Each team will be supported by a dedicated mentor or coach, ensuring guidance throughout the journey.

Prizes & Recognition

Participants stand a chance to win:

• Technology Gadgets
• Vouchers
• Training and Certification Opportunities
• Incubation and Seed Funding
• Completion and Excellence Certificates
• Pilot Implementation Opportunity

Beyond the Hackathon

The Tshwane Hackathon is not just an event—it’s a launchpad for innovation.

Top teams and promising participants will gain access to:

• Incubation programmes
• Continued mentorship and technical support
• DevOps and cloud infrastructure resources
• Seed funding opportunities
• Potential partnerships and solution commissioning

Key Stakeholders

This initiative is driven through collaboration between: