The Limpopo Varsity Hackathon (LVH) recently united bright minds from three universities for an exciting three-day innovation challenge under the theme: “Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) – Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability Across Sectors.”

Now in its third year, the LVH drew participation from students representing Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), the University of Venda (Univen), and the University of Limpopo. The event formed part of the broader University Hackathon Series, spearheaded by Mashitishi Phurutsi from TUT’s Faculty of ICT, and celebrated teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.

Exploring AIoT for Social Impact

Participants were challenged to design solutions that leverage AIoT to address real-world issues in healthcare, food security, waste management, education, and water conservation. The goal was to inspire innovative ideas that could make a meaningful impact on society.

The hackathon received strong industry support, with sponsorship from Lepelle Northern Water, My Tech, Nelekat, ILOVEWHATIDO, Agile Alliance, AWS Academy, Faethm, and First National Bank (FNB)—a clear demonstration of the tech sector’s commitment to education and innovation.

Inspiring Kick-Off and Industry Guidance

The event opened with a motivational address by Dr S. Moyo, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Computational Sciences at Univen, who highlighted the value of cross-disciplinary collaboration in solving modern challenges. Senyeki Marebane, Academic Manager for Computer Science at TUT, followed with an encouraging message, reinforcing TUT’s dedication to nurturing innovation within its ICT programmes.

Showcasing Student Excellence

After two days of brainstorming, coding, and collaboration, teams presented their final projects to a panel of adjudicators from various organisations. Among the impressive innovations, “HerdAware” stood out—an AIoT-based livestock tracking and monitoring system designed to boost agricultural efficiency. The project wowed the judges, proving how technology can revolutionise traditional industries like farming.

Closing Remarks and Future Prospects

In his closing speech, Mashitishi Phurutsi praised the creativity, dedication, and technical skills demonstrated by all participants. He emphasised that platforms like the LVH are crucial for developing future tech leaders and strengthening partnerships between academia and industry.

The Limpopo Varsity Hackathon continues to grow as a hub for student innovation, fostering collaboration between universities and corporate partners while inspiring solutions that can shape a smarter, more sustainable future.