The blueprint for a sustainable and resilient Africa was demonstrated at the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC) yesterday, as the event celebrated the winners of its 2025 Industry Solutions Challenge.
Hosted by Telkom, the participants were tasked with proposing cutting-edge solutions across five key categories, Energy and Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Customer and User Experience, and Networking, students to translate academic knowledge and research into practical, industry-ready innovations.
Under the 2025 SATNAC theme, “Africa’s Ascent: Enabling Sustainability Through Tech and AI” the competition attracted more than 235 students from 84 local tertiary academic institutions.
Over a two-month period, the students received training in ideation, conceptualisation, business modelling and analysis, prototyping, and pitching, the challenge tasked a new generation of postgraduate and undergraduate students with solving real-world problems.
And the SATNAC 2025 Industry Solutions Challenge winners are…
SATNAC Innovator of the Year Award
Olwethu Mabena from Eduvos received the Innovator of the Year Award.
The judges regarded her AI-powered, real-time fraud detection system designed to defend modern banking systems had the highest potential to address challenges faced by the industry.
Judges Distinction Award
Masibonge Shabalala, from the University of Johannesburg walked away with the Judges Distinction Award.
The judges highlighted her solution’s exceptional innovation promise, noting that she had deeply researched Telkom’s pertinent problems and understood Telkom infrastructure.
Winners of Amdocs sponsored Topic 1: AI Powered Career Navigation for South African Youth
Reitumetse Valentine, North West University
Andile Nkosi, North West UniversityWinner of Amdocs sponsored Topic 2: Optimising Capital Expenditure in the
Telecom Industry
Simphiwe Khumalo, Durban University
Winners of Amdocs sponsored Topic 3: Real-time Financial Fraud Management System
• Siphumelele Suprise Ndlovu, University of South Africa
Jabulile Shongwe, University of South Africa
Winners of Telkom sponsored Topic 1: Next-Gen Telkom Building a Secure, Autonomous and Sustainable Mobile Network
• Lilian Mueke Mutia, Nelson Mandela University
• Vuyani Chipunza, Nelson Mandela University
• Sisipho Dlakiya, Nelson Mandela University
Winner of Telkom sponsored Topic 2: Enhancing Customer Experience in Telecommunications
• Aaron Masuba, University of Pretoria
Winners of Huawei sponsored Topic: Re-defining the Value Proposition of AI for Businesses
• Ntuthuko Mdunge, University of the Western Cape
• Msawenkosi Magwaza, Durban University of Technology
Winner of Cisco sponsored Topic 1: AI-Driven Real-Time Detection and Mitigation of Advanced Network Anomalies and Security Threats
• Olwethu Mabena, EduvosWinners of Cisco sponsored Topic 2: Unified Dashboard Design for Proactive
Management of Multi-Vendor Network Infrastructure
• Thatayaone Nkwe, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
• Khanyisa Faith Mokgolobotho, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
• Rosemary Erawemen, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Winners of the Openserve sponsored Topic: Mapping Viable Deployment and
Charging Infrastructure Needs
• Bhekezakho Nxumalo & Sifiso Mawila, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Moeketsi Calvin Molakeng,Tshwane University of Technology
• Fundile Sindy Nyaweni, Nelson Mandela University
“Seeing the calibre of solutions presented this year is a powerful reminder that the most exciting innovations for Africa will come from Africa,” said Dr. Mmaki Jantjies, Telkom’s Group Executive for Innovation & Transformation.
“This challenge is a testament to our belief that by investing in homegrown talent, we are building the continent’s capacity to solve its own problems and lead its own digital ascent.”
The winners received a comprehensive prize package, including an all-expenses-paid trip to the conference, professional mentorship, and the opportunity to gain career-boosting exposure to cutting-edge technology trends.
The Industry Solutions Challenge is a cornerstone of SATNAC, serving as a critical platform that transforms academic research into real-world impact. It underscores Telkom’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders who will build and secure Africa’s place in the global digital economy.
