WELCOME 12TH EDITION OF THE

GEEKULCHA ANNUAL HACKATHON 2026

Africa's premier hackathon that drives digital innovation and empowers the next generation of tech leaders.

THE HACK BEGINS IN

00 DAYS

00 HOURS

00 MINUTES

00 SECONDS

12+

YEARS OF INNOVATION

5000+

PARTICIPANTS ACROSS AFRICA

50+

SOLUTIONS BUILT & DEPLOYED

About the Hackathon

The Geekulcha Annual Hackathon 2026 will be hosted 25 - 27 September 2026 in Centurion with a virtual option.

2026 THEME: BUILD FOR USE

Don't just build to impress, build to be used. Every solution must be genuinely ready for real-world deployment: with identified users, a validated problem, security-by-design, a sustainability plan, and measurable impact.

The theme challenges every team to move beyond the prototype and create something that real people can pick up, rely on, and benefit from, not just on demo day, but long into the future. Every decision made during the hackathon weekend should be guided by one question:

Would a real user trust and use this?

The Geekulcha Annual Hackathon attracts a diverse, high-calibre community of technology builders and thinkers from across Africa.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

Register to get into the Sonke workspace
Create / profile a team on Sonke and add team members
Submit required material: Powerpoint slides that includes Problem Statement; Solution; Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3; Technological Architecture; User Journey Story; and a Go-to market strategy.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 25 August 2026, 23:59

THE TIMELINES

Registration Opens

01 Jul 2026

GKSS Representation Drive

14 - 25 Aug 2026

PSI Conference (By CPSI)

20 - 21 Aug 2026

Closing & Submission Deadline

25 Aug 2026, 23:59

UNISA AI Upskill Day

29 Aug 2026

Build-up Webinars

08 - 17 Sep 2026

Hackathon Weekend

25 - 27 Sep 2026

2026 FOCUS

Themes & Sub-themes

Explore the main focus area and innovation opportunities for GKHack26.

BUILD FOR USE: IGNITING CAPABILITIES FOR MARKETS

Sub-Themes / Challenges - You are allowed to bring a brand new solution

🎓

Education Self-sufficiency

Develop innovative technologies that improve access to quality education and skills development.

🧳

Tourism Solutions

Create smart digital solutions that strengthen tourism experiences and promote local destinations.

🏪

Kasi and Street Economy

Empower township businesses and informal traders through digital innovation.

🧵

Open Source Agenda

Develop a platform to help accelerate open source work in Africa.

MENTORS

Meet our expert mentors guiding the next generation of tech leaders

Mr Steve Jump

Cybersecurity Expert

Over years of experience

Keitumetsi Tsotetsi

Cybersecurity

Vast experience in mentorship

Thulani Mabuza

Cybersecurity Consultant

Team Lead | Head

Dr Ronny Mabokela

AI & Machine Learning Expert

Natutal Language Processing

Mr Bernard Mashala

Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity specialist helping startups build secure products

SPONSORS / PARTNERS

Supporting innovation across Africa

GKHack26 is proudly supported by organisations that believe in innovation, technology and youth empowerment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are we expected to build at this hackathon?

There are 6 challenges to build against on the themes but you are welcome to bring forth a new brand new solution.

I'm I allowed to work alone?

Yes but not encouraged. You may find team mates after registering and get into the Sonke workspace.

To whom does the IP belong?

The Intellectual Property (IP) of the solution belongs to the team that built it. You are urged not to infringe on the rights of others.

What do we need to do right now?

You are expected to register and create a team on Sonke, and then submit material specified on the about and on Sonke after registering.

What is this Sonke about?

This is the Geekulcha platform where the hackathon will take place from - you will be able to create a team and then submit.

What happens after 25 August?

You will be informed if your team has made it into the hackathon or whether you have been allowed for virtual participants. Participants outside South Africa (e.g. Botswana, Kenya and Nigeria) will participate virtual, fully unless plans are made by GKSS chapters.

Are there prizes for this hackathon?

Yes there will be cash prizes (adn likely gadgets too) but don't let that be the motivator. It's the Geekulcha Annual Hackathon, fam.

REGISTER FOR THE HACKATHON

Registration is linked to your Sonke account.