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Teamwork and unity paid off for Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Computer Science and Information Technology students who won the Eastern Cape round of the Telkom Learn Hackathon competition recently.
The victorious team will now represent the institution and the province in the national finals set to take place in Tshwane from Friday to Sunday..
The competition saw students from various higher learning institutions across the Eastern Cape come together for an intense 36-hour that challenged them to develop innovative learning apps aimed at enhancing the educational experiences of students and learners across the country..
With no sleep and under immense pressure, the participants developed innovative learning apps aimed at enhancing the educational experience for students and learners across the country.
This opportunity was made possible by Telkom through its Telkom Learn Hackathon programme, in partnership with organizations such as NEMISA, WSU, GEEKULCHA, The Cortex Hub, SYNC, and She Leads South Africa.
WSU students, participating in the competition for the first time, worked in teams of up to five people to create platforms, apps, or web services that would improve the accessibility and functionality of the Telkom Learn platform.
Despite the challenges, the students displayed remarkable determination and readiness.
WSU’s winning team, Government, took home the first prize. According to team members, their success was due to quick thinking and leveraging each member’s strengths.
"We all put in our efforts, and everyone was willing to be a team player. That’s how we were able to develop the mastermind website that makes life easier for learners as it will be installed in both cellphones and computers and less complicated to navigate and also have a fun element for learners not to be bored while learning their school subjects," said team member Nathan Chinomona.
Chinomona added, "We are speechless. This was our first time entering, and we came first! With that, we are hopeful we will win again in the finals."
He also emphasized that the competition provided more than just a chance to win—it was an opportunity to showcase their individual and collective capabilities.
Another WSU group, which won third prize, was equally proud of their achievement, especially given the limited time they had to prepare.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Tshimangadzo Surprise Masia said, "It was an honor for us. We only had 36 hours to develop the website, but teamwork and effort paid off. We gave everyone a chance to specialize in their skills, and it made all the difference."
Masia expressed the group’s gratitude for the experience, stating, "We are very happy. This really showed that working as a team and in unity can pay off. We are very grateful for the opportunity."
Director, Sibukele Gumbo from the NEMISA eSkills CoLab at WSU shared her excitement over the success of the students.
"I’m ecstatic to see participants from across the Eastern Cape excel in the recent hackathon, creating impressive web and mobile applications," she said.
Gumbo also wished the Government team the best of luck in the upcoming national competition in Gauteng.
For these aspiring tech innovators, the Telkom Learn Hackathon is more than just a contest—it’s a platform to push boundaries, showcase their talents, and make a meaningful impact on the future of digital education.
By Yolanda Palezweni
