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EZEKIEL PHALANA
ADDITIONAL INFO BY GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF eGOVERNMENT
The Gauteng Department of e-Government has crowned Gridwise 10X from the Johannesburg Region as the overall winners of the 2026 Youth Tech Expo (YTE) G13 Hackathon, following an inspiring provincial finale that showcased the innovation, creativity and problem-solving abilities of Gauteng’s brightest young minds.
Hosted in partnership with Microsoft South Africa at the Microsoft Offices in Johannesburg, the YTE G13 Hackathon Finale marked the culmination of weeks of intense regional competition, where learners from across the province were challenged to develop technology-driven solutions to some of Gauteng’s most pressing social and service delivery challenges.
Launched in June in collaboration with Algo@Work, the hackathon featured regional competitions in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, the West Rand and Sedibeng. Participants harnessed the power of innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to design practical solutions addressing crime prevention, water management, infrastructure maintenance, urban mobility and improved service delivery.
The top teams from each region advanced to the provincial finale, where they spent two days refining their projects using Microsoft’s cutting-edge AI technologies while receiving guidance and mentorship from industry experts.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, the final results were announced as follows:
1st Place: Gridwise 10X – Johannesburg CBD (84.2%)
2nd Place: Chromomark – Tshwane (81.6%)
3rd Place: Civic Eye – Sedibeng (70.2%)
4th Place: SIRRS – West Rand (63.0%)
5th Place: Aqua Guard AI – Ekurhuleni (59.0%)
As champions of the 2026 YTE G13 Hackathon, the 10 learners comprising Team Gridwise 10X were awarded Netcampus gift vouchers and a fully funded 12-month Master Tech Leadership Programme, which includes a monthly stipend for each participant.
The remaining 40 finalists will each benefit from a specialised Skills Programme in Data and Artificial Intelligence, ensuring that every finalist leaves the competition equipped with valuable digital skills to further their educational and career aspirations.
Congratulating the participants, Gauteng MEC for e-Government Mr Bonginkosi Dhlamini praised the learners for demonstrating exceptional creativity and commitment to solving real-world challenges.
Johannesburg takes home the trophy, but every learner who participated in this year’s YTE G13 Hackathon is a winner. Throughout this journey, we have witnessed remarkable creativity, determination and innovation from young people who are passionate about using technology to improve the lives of our citizens,” said MEC Dhlamini.
He emphasised that the initiative extends beyond competition by empowering young people to become innovators capable of transforming society.
“This hackathon was never only about building apps or competing for prizes. It was about empowering young people to become problem-solvers, innovators and future leaders who will help build a smarter Gauteng. Government is committed to creating opportunities that equip our youth with the skills they need to succeed in the digital economy while developing solutions that respond to the real challenges facing our communities.”
Collectively, prizes awarded to all 50 finalists are valued at more than R1 million, reflecting the Gauteng Department of e-Government’s continued investment in developing the province’s future digital leaders and strengthening South Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Microsoft South Africa’s Executive Director for Public Sector, Lerato Mathabatha, highlighted the importance of investing in digital skills and youth innovation.
“Skilling South Africa’s youth is one of the most powerful investments we can make in this country’s future. The G13 Hack Finale shows what becomes possible when young people are handed world-class AI tools and a real challenge to solve—they don’t just build solutions, they reimagine how government can serve its people. We’re proud to partner with the Gauteng Provincial Government to turn that potential into tangible impact.”
The successful conclusion of the 2026 Youth Tech Expo G13 Hackathon reaffirms Gauteng’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators, equipping young people with future-ready skills and creating opportunities that will drive inclusive growth, digital transformation and smarter public service delivery across the province.