AB4IR to host digital solutions hackathon

6th April 2021 By: Schalk Burger - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Township digital technology nonprofit AB4IR will host a hackathon in partnership with digital services multinational Liquid Intelligent Technologies from April 16 to 18.

Participants will have to develop technology solutions to overcome challenges faced by communities, government and the private sector.

The objective of the event is to encourage the youth to participate in solution-driven technologies and enhance digital entrepreneurship in townships. The hackathon is also aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, encouraging critical thinking and challenging participants' ability to conceptualise sustainable solutions under pressure, AB4IR said in a statement on April 6.

The event will be hosted at the AB4IR premises at the Tshwane South Technical and Vocational Education College, ODI Campus, in Mabopane, Pretoria. The plan is to accommodate twenty participants in the event who will either work individually or in teams with fellow participants where all necessary resources will be provided to the participants. To date, more than 150 participants have registered.

The programme for the three days includes facilitation and interaction with skilled industry expert facilitators, break-away sessions for brainstorming, ideation, and development of minimum viable product or prototype, pitching sessions and networking opportunities. The winners or winning teams will receive R15 000 for placing first, R10 000 for placing second and R5 000 for placing third.

"Hackathons help to generate fresh ideas and push participants out of their comfort zones to create unique solutions to the most utmost pressing challenges. The solutions developed will play a vital role in overcoming complex challenges that face disadvantaged communities especially during this Covid-19 pandemic and beyond," said AB4IR CEO Kelebogile Molopyane.

"As a company that develops converged telecommunications networks to serve customers, we are excited at the opportunity to work with AB4IR and unleash raw talent for the township communities. Liquid Intelligent Technologies is committed to community development," said Liquid Intelligent Technologies group technology and innovation officer Ben Roberts.