Next-generation financial services provider Mukuru and WeThinkCode_, South Africa’s premier software engineering academy, have marked another milestone in their ongoing partnership with the 2025 edition of the SheHacks Hackathon, a dynamic initiative aimed at driving diversity, inclusion, and innovation in the tech space.
Held recently, the SheHacks Hackathon challenged students to design a Loyalty Rewards App that reflects Mukuru’s mission of financial accessibility and customer empowerment. The results were nothing short of inspiring: teams delivered slick, user-friendly prototypes while demonstrating leadership, creativity, and resilience under pressure.
“At Mukuru, we believe innovation thrives when diverse voices are empowered,” said Koketso Ramose, Head: People Business Partnering Enablement Portfolio at Mukuru. “This partnership with WeThinkCode_ and the SheHacks Hackathon is more than a social impact initiative, it’s a strategic effort to future-proof our organisation by investing in the next generation of female tech talent. SheHacks is a tangible expression of Mukuru’s commitment to unlocking innovation, empowering women, and shaping a more inclusive digital economy.”
Voices from the Hackathon
The event buzzed with energy, determination, and breakthrough moments as participants tackled real-world challenges. For many, it was a transformative first experience in competitive tech innovation.
Thobekile Thando Tshabalala, whose team, The REWARDNATION, placed first runner-up with a functional rewards dashboard prototype, described the hackathon as a catalyst for her development journey. “I took part in my first hackathon at Mukuru SheHacks, where my team placed 1st runner-up with a functional reward dashboard prototype. The experience was a turning point. It inspired me to immediately begin developing my own project. I enjoyed seeing creativity from my colleagues, collaborating and having the feel of working under pressure. It was also a motivation for me to participate in more hackathons.”
Thulisile Vilakazi, whose team secured second place, echoed the transformative nature of the experience. “The Mukuru x WeThinkCode_ SheHacks Hackathon was my first-ever hackathon experience, and it exceeded every expectation. In just over 24 hours, working alongside an amazing team of women, we turned ideas into a working prototype. The process was intense, creative, and deeply rewarding.”
Vilakazi reflected on what made the experience particularly meaningful: “What made it truly special was the collaboration and energy in the room. Seeing women come together, build together, and uplift one another reminded me of the power of community in tech. Beyond the skills I gained, this experience reaffirmed my belief in what’s possible when women lead, create, and collaborate.”
Stacey Van Wyk, a future software engineer, highlighted the power of collaborative problem-solving under pressure. “Attending the Mukuru x WeThinkCode_ SheHacks Hackathon was an incredibly rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to work as part of a diverse and motivated team, where I contributed to both the coding and design aspects of building a rewards hub within the 48-hour challenge. Our goal was to create a solution that not only met the brief but also stood out in terms of user experience and functionality.”
Van Wyk emphasised the strength of her team’s approach: “Through strong collaboration, clear communication and shared effort, we successfully built a working prototype that aligned with the challenge requirements. What stood out most was the teamwork, everyone brought something valuable to the table, and we supported each other throughout the intense but exciting sprint. It was a great learning experience, and I’m proud of what we were able to achieve in such a short time. Looking forward to more opportunities like this to innovate, collaborate, and grow.”
The event was enriched by mentorship from Mukuru’s InfoTech team and WeThinkCode_ alumni now working at Mukuru, who offered guidance, career insights, and encouragement to stay curious and keep building. For many participants, it was their first hackathon, yet several teams walked away with top honours, showcasing the power of collaboration and bold thinking.
“SheHacks is more than a coding challenge, it’s a launchpad for young women to step into leadership, innovation, and real-world impact,” said Kelebogile Motlhamme, Director of Operations at WeThinkCode_. “This partnership with Mukuru is helping us rewrite the narrative of who belongs in tech. When students walk away not just with prototypes, but with confidence, career direction, and a sense of purpose, we know we’re building something bigger than a hackathon, we’re building the future of Africa’s digital economy.”
Beyond the Hackathon: A Partnership Driving Long-Term Impact
Since the partnership began in 2022, Mukuru and WeThinkCode_ have made a substantial impact on hundreds of students, creating vital pathways for young women to enter and thrive in the tech industry. Mukuru’s commitment includes:
- Sponsoring the tuition of five female students
- Serving as a repeat hiring partner
- Providing mentorship and career guidance through events like SheHacks
This collaboration reflects Mukuru’s belief that building the future of technology means empowering underrepresented groups, particularly women. As Mukuru and WeThinkCode_ continue to invest in the next generation of female tech leaders, the SheHacks Hackathon stands as a blueprint for what inclusive innovation can look like. It’s not just about building apps; it’s about building futures, shifting paradigms, and ensuring that Africa’s digital economy reflects the full spectrum of its talent.
