Intwana Yase Kasi – Innovation Challenge 2026

Create. Build. Represent the Kasi.

The Intwana Yase Kasi – Innovation Challenge 2026 is a beginner-friendly innovation hackathon designed to empower township youth, creatives, and aspiring technologists to solve real-world problems through technology, art, and creative thinking.

This challenge focuses on everyday issues faced in townships and local communities such as transport, safety, events, small businesses, education, and creative economies and encourages participants to build practical, meaningful, and culturally relevant solutions.

The hackathon is structured as a “slow hack”, giving beginners enough time to learn, experiment, and build confidently, while still maintaining professional standards for submissions and evaluation.

👥 Who Can Participate

  • Open to students, recent graduates, self-taught learners, and beginners

  • Open to participants from South Africa and beyond

  • Individual participants or teams of 1–4 members

  • No prior hackathon experience required

  • Artists, designers, developers, and creatives are all welcome

🛠️ What You Can Build

Participants are encouraged to build projects across one or more of the following tracks:

🔹 Technology

  • Websites, web apps, mobile apps

  • Simple tools, platforms, bots, or dashboards

🔹 Art & Media

  • Visual design concepts

  • Music, sound, or media-based digital experiences

  • Creative storytelling platforms

🔹 Community Solutions

  • Tools for schools, spaza shops, NGOs, event organisers

  • Solutions addressing safety, transport, gigs, or local services

Projects do not need to be fully commercial products, working prototypes and strong concepts are encouraged.

🌟 What You Will Gain

  • Hands-on experience solving real community problems

  • A portfolio-ready project for your CV, GitHub, or personal website

  • Feedback from mentors and judges

  • Recognition from Intwana Yase Kasi

  • Certificates and public exposure on Intwana platforms

  • Experience working in teams, pitching ideas, and presenting solutions

Requirements

📝 Submission Requirements

To be eligible for judging, all projects must include the following:

1. Project Title

A clear and descriptive name for your project.

2. Short Description

A 2–3 sentence summary explaining:

  • The problem you are solving

  • Your solution and who it is for

3. Demo Link or Video (Mandatory)

One of the following:

  • A live demo link (website or app), OR

  • A short demo video (maximum 5 minutes) showing how your project works

4. Tech Stack / Tools Used

List the tools, platforms, or technologies used (e.g. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Figma, no-code tools, etc.).

5. Screenshots or Visuals (Recommended)

Images, mockups, or visuals that show your UI/UX, workflow, or concept.

⚠ Important Submission Notes

 

  • All work must be original and created during the hackathon period

  • One submission per team

  • One team member submits on behalf of the team and lists all members

  • Late or incomplete submissions will not be evaluated

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

1 non-cash prize
non-cash prize
3 winners

Prizes & Recognition
Winners (3 Teams)

Each winning team will receive:

One non-cash prize (details announced during the event)

Certificate of Excellence from Intwana Yase Kasi

Featured recognition on the Intwana Yase Kasi website and across social media platforms

✨ Special Award:

Most Innovative Project – awarded to the team demonstrating outstanding creativity and originality

Runner-Up Teams

Runner-up teams will receive:

Certificate of Achievement from Intwana Yase Kasi

Recognition on Intwana Yase Kasi social media channels

✨ Special Mentions:

Best UI/UX Design or

Best Technical Implementation

Additional Benefits for All Participants

Constructive feedback from mentors to help improve and refine projects

Portfolio value: participants are encouraged to showcase their hackathon projects on their CVs, GitHub, and personal portfolios

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Simphiwe Qwina
Lead Developer - Intwana Yase Kasi

Thandikhaya Sonanzi

Varun Goel

Judging Criteria

  • Problem Clarity & Creativity
    How clearly does the project define a real problem? Does the solution show originality, insight, or a creative approach?
  • Functionality & Technical Implementation
    Does the solution work as intended? How effectively are the chosen technologies implemented to solve the problem?
  • UI/UX Design
    Is the product intuitive, accessible, and easy to use? Does the design consider real users and their environment (devices, data costs, simplicity)?
  • Code Quality & Documentation
    Is the code clean, readable, and well-structured? Is there sufficient documentation explaining how the project works and how it can be extended?
  • Presentation & Communication
    How well does the team explain their idea, process, and impact? Is the demo, pitch, or write-up clear, engaging, and easy to understand?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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