28th November 2022
Own Correspondent
Absa Bank Botswana has announced the winners of the second Absa Hackathon and Incubation programme.
This year the hackathon saw the participation of young Batswana innovators create sustainable digital businesses that will address the challenges facing the agricultural sector – AgriTech.
Since launching in February, three participating teams presented their solution to a panel of expert judges from the banking, business, agriculture and technology industries. Subsequently, the judges announced the top 3 teams who made it to the final.
As part of capacity building, for the past three months, the Top 3 teams participated in an incubation programme undergoing entrepreneurial skills development training. The programme was facilitated by experts from the Absa family in the area of technology and the entrepreneurship training was conducted by Nineteen 21. The training aimed to provide critical support and guidance with industry experts on various aspects of entrepreneurship and technology dedicated to assisting young innovators to prepare for the world of entrepreneurship.
“As Absa Bank Botswana, we are deliberate in finding purposeful and innovative solutions such as the Hackathon and Incubation programme that will serve as significant contributors to the greater vision of sustainable digital transformation in Botswana. As a digitally-led bank, we are inspired to find creative ways to deliver innovative technologies and propositions to help Batswana find ways to get things done.. We believe that this will help shape a world that values progress and economic activity to serve the common good,” said Keabetswe Pheko-Moshagane, Managing Director, Absa Bank Botswana Limited.
The winners were announced at an event officiated by the Deputy Permanent Secretary Lamech Nthekele on behalf of the Minister of Entrepreneurship, Honourable Karabo Gare.
In an address, read on his behalf Gare stated, “I would like to recognise Absa Bank Botswana for the meaningful work that they are doing with the hackathon initiative. The government has created a clear vision to see Botswana become a sustainable technologically advanced economy, and society. Initiatives such as this one, embody the collective and collaborative effort from the private sector to positively contribute to issues of national concern.”
The winners were:
First Place – Team Binary Thoughts (P60 000)
Tumisang Kgarubane
Sephiwe Mangundu
Otsile Motsila
Second place – Team Digital Lead (P40 000)
Koketso Morapedi
Stillwell Jacob
Thabang One Saakane
Third Place – Team EO Analytics (P20 000)
Lone Nigel Lottering
Kelebile Balo
Amantle Keitsile
Mokolobetsi Mugwana
This year the prize money for the Top 3 finalists was increased with an additional P10,000.00 for the first two teams and an increase of P5000.00 for the third-placed team. The winning team will additionally receive a development and maintenance contract, to further support their winning idea. Moreover, each of the Top 3 finalists were provided with laptops, UDEMY online learning licenses for one year, and equipment to enable reliable internet connectivity.
“I am very grateful to Absa Bank Botswana for this opportunity. I believe that we will use the lessons, experiences, and engagements from this programme to motivate us on our entrepreneurial journey. We look forward to growing, innovating and being an active player in the growth and development of the Agri-sector. Winning the hackathon has made me rethink what I can achieve, ke le monana wa Motswana (as a Motswana youth),” said Tumisang Kgarubane of Team Binary Thoughts.
Absa Bank Botswana, is committed to being an active partner in the lives of Batswana and helping them find ways to get things done.
“Digitisation is inevitably changing business models, and as Absa Bank Botswana, we are proud to have the opportunity to be an active player and partner in supporting the dreams and aspirations of our youth in the technology space,” concluded Pheko-Moshagane.
