The launch of the Fourth Limpopo Varsity Hackathon generated excitement to inspire innovation in solving societal issues. Photos: Evidence Mongwe
By Lesedi Mothapo – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
The University of Limpopo (UL) has launched its fourth Limpopo Varsity Hackathon, an initiative aimed at tackling pressing local issues like load shedding, food insecurity, youth unemployment, and township safety through innovative technological solutions
In collaboration with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), the University of Venda (UNIVEN), and mLab, the launch brought together fourth-year students from UL’s School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences. The goal was to inspire innovation and prepare participants for the upcoming National Hackathon in October 2025.
Under the theme “Artificial Intelligence of Things for Local Impact”, Dr Thipa Modipa, Head of the Department of Computer Science at UL, described the hackathon as a collaborative platform. Individuals with diverse expertise – programmers, designers, and project managers—work intensively to develop software or hardware solutions for real-world challenges.
“Our goal is to harness the power of AI and technology to drive meaningful change in our communities,” Prof Modipa stated. “The problems we face in Limpopo are unique, and our students are well positioned to design solutions because they experience these challenges firsthand. The hackathon aims to foster local tech innovation, encourage youth participation, and deliver practical, community-driven solutions.”
Professor Hasani Chauke, Director of the School of Physical and Mineral Sciences at UL, reflected on the transformative impact of the initiative.
“This fourth launch demonstrates how technology is reshaping our communities. Everything is digital now, and programming is central to innovation. We must sustain such programmes because they equip students with the skills and confidence to address real-world problems. The future relies on consistent investment in these initiatives.”
Mashitishi Phurutsi, a Lecturer and Unit Manager at TUT and founder of the TUT Hackathon, highlighted the broader significance of hackathon.
“Hackathons bridge the gap between universities and industry. They promote digital skills, foster innovation, and strengthen problem-solving abilities. This initiative aligns with South Africa’s National Development Plan by advancing innovation, sustainability, and community upliftment.”
Chief Organiser of the Limpopo Varsity Hackathon, Vekani Baloyi, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at UL, emphasised the importance of expanding participation.
“We wanted to include even non-tech students in the excitement of innovation. Hackathons are not just about coding, they involve building, solving, designing, and collaborating.”
The launch concluded on a high note, leaving many inspired. “Today was eye-opening,” said Jackson Letlolo, a fourth-year Computer Science student at UL. “The ideas and technology I saw were incredible . I want to be part of that.”
Programmers, designers, and project managers meet at the launch of the Fourth Limpopo Varsity Hackathon to exchange ideas for software and hardware solutions to real-world challenges.