A meaningful chance for young learners to show off their coding, engineering, prototyping, and problem-solving skills!
Johannesburg, South Africa (17 June 2026) – A group of 55 young learners will have a chance to shine this month!
The cohort, who are from underserved schools across South Africa, have been selected to take part in the Young Engineers Movement Hackathon, known as the YEM Hackathon. The event is a multi-day programme hosted by ORT South Africa in partnership with Hudaco, running from 22 to 26 June 2026 in Johannesburg.
Across five days, learners will work in teams to design, build, and test functioning engineering and technology prototypes, tackling real problems drawn from their own communities and lived experiences. By Friday the 26th, Exhibition Day, they’ll present what they’ve built to a panel of judges, educators, and industry representatives for a chance to win top-shelf tech prizes, including laptops and tablets.
“The programme aims to expose learners from underserved communities to practical engineering and innovation experiences while equipping teachers with hands-on skills they can continue using in their classrooms.”
South Africa faces a shortage of engineering skills. Youth unemployment is sadly one of the country’s most pressing challenges. Yet here are 55 young people, from communities that are too often overlooked, spending a week proving what’s possible when the door is opened wide enough.
Eleven teachers will be part of the programme too, participating as active facilitators and walking away with skills they can take back to the classroom.
“The YEM Hackathon is about giving young people access to opportunities that allow them to see themselves as future innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers,” said Ariellah Rosenberg, CEO of ORT South Africa. “These learners already have the creativity and potential. What they need is access, support, and exposure.”
A huge well done to every learner and teacher taking part. Go and show them everything you’ve got!
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