There’s something exciting happening in the Bay, and this time it’s coming straight out of Nelson Mandela University.
Five NMU IT students have taken first place at the Eastern Cape leg of the MICT SETA National Skills Challenge, walking away with R100 000 and serious bragging rights.
A High-Pressure Innovation Challenge
The two-day innovation sprint, hosted in Gqeberha, brought together students from across the province. The challenge focused on developing practical, technology-driven solutions to real-world problems under pressure.
Digital Skills Driving Real Results
The winning team, Kamva Twala, Kateko Tivane, Daniel Basiwe, Namhla Lingela and Katlego Molotsi, are all alumni of the University’s Digital Ubuntu Cybersecurity and AI initiative, supported by Google.org. The programme equips students with industry-relevant skills and played a key role in helping the team deliver a strong solution within tight time constraints.
“The Digital Ubuntu programme prepared us to think critically and innovate under pressure,” said Kamva Twala.
Digital Ubuntu project lead Dr Bukelwa Ngoqo praised the team’s achievement, highlighting both their dedication and the importance of strong partnerships in preparing students for real-world challenges.
“This is an outstanding achievement, and we are incredibly proud of our students. Their success reflects not only their own resilience, but also the impact of strategic partnerships.”
Next Stop: National Finals
Following their provincial win, the Mandela University team will represent the Eastern Cape at the National Hackathon Finals in Gauteng from 30 to 31 March, competing against top teams from across the country.
Why This Matters for the Bay
The MICT SETA National Skills Challenge continues to play an important role in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical application, while also creating pathways into South Africa’s growing digital economy.
For a city often underestimated, moments like this matter. It’s proof that the talent is here and it’s only getting stronger.
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