Zululand Innovators Hackathon 2025 – Grassroots Innovation in Rural South Africa

The Zululand Innovators Hackathon 2025, hosted by the Moses Kotane Research Institute (MKRI) through its Commercialising Innovation and Research (CIR) Programme, invites youth, SMMEs, cooperatives, schools, informal traders, and traditional knowledge-holders from the Zululand District to collaborate on community-driven solutions. This fully supported grassroots hackathon focuses on locally relevant challenges in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, sustainability, and community services.

 Hackathon Theme

“Zululand Innovates – Empowering Local Minds | Transforming Rural Futures” seeks low-tech, affordable, and culturally-rooted innovations tailored to local needs.

 Who Can Apply

• Youth aged 18–35 from Zululand local municipalities (AbaQulusi, eDumbe, Nongoma, Ulundi, Pongola)
• Local innovators, community members, microbusinesses, schools, cooperatives, and traditional stakeholders
• People with innovative, community-beneficial ideas aligned with the hackathon’s themes

 Focus Areas

• Agriculture & Food Security: low-cost tools, frugal irrigation, compost systems
• Tourism & Cultural Preservation: indigenous artifacts, rural hospitality models
• SMMEs & Manufacturing: locally fabricated products, vending systems
• Waste-to-Value Sustainability: recycled material solutions, clean energy
• Youth & Community Services: mobile services, rural training platforms

 Benefits

• In-kind support: equipment, materials, and training
• Mentorship & incubation: access to MKRI’s CIR and innovation ecosystem
• Potential to pilot projects in community settings

 Official Application Details