Deadline: August 8, 2025
Are you a grassroots innovator based in Zululand with a big idea to tackle local challenges? The Zululand Innovators Hackathon 2025 is here — a powerful opportunity to bring your creativity and indigenous knowledge to life while solving real-world problems in your community.
Organised by the Moses Kotane Research Institute (MKRI) under its Commercialising Innovation and Research Programme, and in partnership with local municipalities, this hackathon is designed to foster low-tech, frugal, indigenous, and service-based solutions that empower rural communities.
About the Zululand Innovators Hackathon 2025
The Zululand Innovators Hackathon 2025 is themed “Zululand Innovates – Empowering Local Minds | Transforming Rural Futures.” It focuses on supporting innovation rooted in the lived experiences and practical ingenuity of local communities.
The event is more than a competition — it’s a movement to uplift creative problem-solvers through in-kind support, training, mentoring, and exposure to MKRI’s innovation ecosystem.
Focus Areas
Submissions should align with one or more of the following thematic areas:
- Agriculture & Food Security
- Manual or solar-powered tools, organic composting, irrigation innovations.
- Tourism & Cultural Preservation
- Indigenous artefacts, storytelling innovations, rural hospitality.
- SMMEs & Manufacturing
- Affordable vending solutions, unique rural products, process enhancements.
- Sustainability & Waste-to-Value
- Waste recycling, renewable energy solutions, sustainable packaging.
- Youth & Community Services
- Mobile education or healthcare units, skills development in rural areas.
Benefits of Participating
Participants in the Zululand Innovators Hackathon 2025 will receive:
- In-kind support including tools, equipment, and technical training.
- Mentorship from experienced professionals in relevant fields.
- Access to MKRI’s innovation ecosystem, with opportunities to pilot their ideas.
- Networking and collaboration with other innovators from neighbouring communities.
Who Should Apply?
The hackathon welcomes a broad range of applicants from the following Zululand District municipalities:
- AbaQulusi
- eDumbe
- Nongoma
- Ulundi
- Pongola
Eligible participants include:
- Local youth and students
- Informal traders, SMMEs, cooperatives
- Inventors, makers, and tinkerers
- Elders and traditional knowledge holders
- Community groups and schools
Judging Criteria
Proposals will be assessed based on:
- Relevance to local needs and challenges
- Cost-effectiveness and simplicity
- Use of local, recycled, or indigenous materials
- Potential for scalability or replicability
- Social inclusion and positive community impact
Application Process
To apply, submit a maximum 3-page proposal that includes:
- Background of the applicant or team
- A clear problem statement
- A well-articulated proposed solution
📅 Deadline: August 8, 2025
📧 Submit proposals to: hackathons@moseskotane.com
Useful Links
Final Thoughts
The Zululand Innovators Hackathon 2025 is a vital opportunity to spark community-based transformation. By supporting solutions that are simple, sustainable, and locally inspired, the initiative helps unlock the power of indigenous innovation.
If you have a practical idea that can uplift your community, this is your chance to receive meaningful support and turn your vision into reality.
Need help crafting your proposal?
Contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining and review.
