Durban – South Africa has hosted its first national round of the international engineering competition HackAtom, bringing together university students from across the country to compete in solving technology and energy-related challenges.
The winning team from the University of Zululand will now advance to the international final in Moscow alongside participants from 15 countries.
From 5 to 6 May, South Africa hosted its first-ever national selection round of the international engineering hackathon HackAtom, bringing together 7 teams from the University of Zululand, Tshwane University of Technology, North-West University, the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg, University of Limpopo, and Nelson Mandela University.
Students interested in innovation, engineering, and nuclear energy technologies had two days to compete and present their cases.
HackAtom is an international competition focused on developing innovative solutions for the nuclear industry and related high-tech sectors.
The South African stage was organised by the MEPhI and RUDN Universities, with support from Rosatom and the South African nuclear technology company Necsa.
The event took place at the famous local UNIZULU Science Centre.
The Richard’s Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ), highlighting growing regional interest in developing advanced technological and energy-related skills, also supported HackAtom.
“South Africa is at a critical moment in its energy journey,” noted RBIDZ CEO Thabane Zulu during his opening speech.
“We are balancing three fundamental priorities: energy security, access, and decarbonisation.
“As a result, the energy systems of the future must become more diverse, resilient, and innovation-driven.
“Within that evolving mix, nuclear energy and emerging technologies have an important role to play in providing reliable, clean baseload power.”
Zulu added: “It is precisely in this context that platforms like HackAtom are so important.
“They create space for young people to explore new ideas, develop technologies, and rethink how future energy systems can meet growing demands.”
The international HackAtom final in Moscow will bring together winning teams from 15 different countries, giving students from South Africa an opportunity to display their ideas on a global stage.
“To build a stronger country, we must equip our youth with skills, encourage innovation, and demand accountability and excellence from everyone,” said Philani Gabriel Marapira, team leader of the winning team “ZuluTechCollective”.
The event also highlighted the growing importance of international educational and technology initiatives for young specialists across Africa, particularly as countries continue exploring future energy solutions and investing in technical skills development.
Background
HackAtom is an international engineering hackathon for students and young professionals aimed at developing innovative solutions for the nuclear industry and related high-tech sectors.
The initiative combines education, engineering and international collaboration, providing participants with practical experience in solving real-world technological challenges.
This year’s edition is its second, with teams from 15 countries taking part.
Rosatom is the Russian state nuclear corporation and one of the global leaders in nuclear technologies.
The company features enterprises across the nuclear energy sector, including power generation, engineering, research, nuclear medicine, and advanced technological solutions.
Rosatom is also actively involved in international educational and youth initiatives focused on developing future engineering and scientific talent, other notable examples being The Icebreaker of Knowledge and Atoms Empowering Africa Video Contest.
Richard’s Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) is a South African special economic zone located in Richards Bay, north-eastern coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
The organisation focuses on attracting investment, supporting industrial development and advancing innovation-driven sectors in the region, including energy, metals beneficiation, agro-processing, manufacturing and technology.
RBIDZ also supports skills development and partnerships aimed at strengthening the region’s long-term economic growth and industrialisation.
