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The Wits Social Good Hackathon, powered by Adapt IT, has grown into a meaningful platform for youth innovation, industry collaboration and real-world problem-solving. Hosted at Wits University, the Hackathon brings together students, industry leaders, corporate partners and social impact stakeholders to develop practical technology solutions for some of South Africa’s most pressing challenges.

 

This year, the Hackathon takes an important step forward. In addition to empowering students to build social good projects, the 2026 programme places a stronger focus on industry networking, cross-sector collaboration and broader public participation. The goal is to create a platform where students are not only exposed to real-world problems, but also to the people, organisations and industries working to solve them.

What is the Social Good Hackathon?

The Social Good Hackathon is an innovation platform that gives students the opportunity to apply their skills to real-world challenges. Working in teams, students develop practical, technology-driven solutions that aim to uplift communities, improve access to services and address social problems affecting South Africa and the broader continent. The Hackathon encourages collaboration, creativity and rapid problem-solving. Students think beyond theory to develop solutions that are practical, scalable and socially meaningful. Guided by mentors and industry experts, participants build solutions under pressure while considering usability, impact and implementation.

Society

Brings forward real problems

Why This Matters for Students The Hackathon gives students hands-on experience beyond the classroom, using technology to drive innovation and social change. Students connect with industry leaders, mentors and potential employers while developing teamwork, presentation and problem-solving skills. By tackling real social challenges, they build confidence and see themselves as future innovators, builders and problem-solvers.
The Role of Corporate Partners For corporate partners, the Hackathon offers an opportunity to support youth development, access emerging talent and drive social innovation. Through sponsorship, mentorship, judging and challenge tracks, companies can connect with students, share expertise and gain fresh perspectives while helping develop practical solutions that address real community needs.
Industry Networking as a Core Element A key focus of the 2026 Hackathon is strengthening connections between students and industry. Students will engage with business leaders, experts, mentors, judges and potential employers, gaining insight into real-world innovation. Industry partners can connect with emerging talent, share expertise and contribute to challenge tracks across key social impact sectors.
Looking Ahead The 2026 Wits Social Good Hackathon is more than a technology event. It connects students, industry and society to drive practical, purpose-led innovation. By combining public challenges, student ideas and industry expertise, the Hackathon empowers young people to solve real problems while building the skills, networks and confidence to become future innovators and leaders.

Public Call to Action

What problem should we solve?

Theme: Connecting Industry, Students and Society Through Innovation

For the 2026 Hackathon, members of the public will be invited to suggest real problems they believe should be addressed through the Hackathon. This creates a stronger link between society and student innovation, ensuring that the ideas developed are grounded in lived experiences and genuine community needs.

By opening the problem-definition process to the public, the Hackathon becomes more than a student innovation event. It becomes a platform for society to participate in shaping the challenges that young innovators will tackle. This approach ensures greater relevance, stronger community involvement and a deeper sense of shared ownership in the solutions developed.

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