TADHack Global is a hackathon that helps people learn about the latest Internet, IT, and Telecoms/Communications technologies; and use those technologies to solve problems that matter, and this year it’s being hosted in South Africa by MTN, therefore, applications are now officially open.
Phinda Ncala, Executive for Information Technology at MTN, comments on the aims of the hackathon and its impact.
“TADHack offers an engaging way for us to unlock the creative and innovative talent that already exists in SA. The event brings together our entrepreneurs, budding technologists, and community ambassadors to leverage technology to solve the pressing issues we face as a country. Our ayoba and MoMo products have such value to offer and when considered together, we see even more potential benefit to the people of South Africa and the continent. Collaborations such as making connections, networking, chatting, and sharing the same end goal; along with monetisation, changes the mindset of fintech and drives financial inclusion in our society.”
Operating for a consecutive five years in South Africa, the hackathon will take place in Johannesburg and be hosted virtually between 24 – 26 September 2021.
The TADHack hackathon event operates at the same time within 15 different locations across the world. For this year’s theme, “emerging from the pandemic”, participants will be challenged to create solutions when the pandemic started by employing tools such as the ayoba messaging app, MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo), and numerous other global technologies sponsors.
“Participants need to bring the two brands together and show that together they can achieve even greater outcomes. We cannot think of a better expression of MTN’s commitment to the future of South Africa,” adds Ncala.
With a focus on promoting innovation within the telecom and Application Programme Interfaces (API), the hackathon aims to yield a range of positive outcomes that can be practically applied within these spaces. According to reports, the winners will be provided with $1000 global TADHack voucher along with possible internships. A range of other prizes is up for grabs from ayoba and MoMo.
Creative solutions produced by participants will be judged and analysed based on the possible and proposed impact to the conditions as per the ‘start of the pandemic’ context, user ability, business model, creativity, and simplicity of the concept.
Participants can enter the hackathon by completing an online application.
Part of the application requires that participants register on the MoMo and ayoba apps which can be found free and readily available on any app store.
