MBABANE – Three talented female students from the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP) Advanced School of Information Technology have made it to the finals of the UbuntuNet Alliance Women’s Hackathon. This prestigious continental competition promotes innovations that support climate change adaptation and mitigation, while also addressing the gender gap in software development.
The finalists Nonduduzo Mkhaliphi, Asiphe Malangwane, and Phumlile Dlamini will represent Eswatini in the second phase of the competition, which will be held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from October 27-29.
According to RSTP Communications Officer Senzo Malaza, the institution is incredibly proud of its students for excelling in the competition. “We are happy for our students, and this is proof that we provide quality education,” Malaza said. He added that the competition offers a valuable platform for students to network, compete globally, and learn beyond their borders, demonstrating that the education they receive equips them to be innovative and ready for the global stage.
One of the finalists, Nonduduzo Mkhaliphi, expressed her excitement, describing the selection as a significant milestone in her journey as a woman in technology. “I am honored and excited that we have been selected as finalists in the UbuntuNet Alliance Women’s Hackathon and will be advancing to the final phase in Harare,” she said.
Mkhaliphi sees the hackathon as more than just a coding competition. “For me, as a woman in technology, it is a powerful validation that our ideas have value, our voices deserve to be heard, and our contributions are crucial in shaping an inclusive digital future,” she stated.
Her teammate, Malangwane, said the hackathon was a perfect experience, especially since she was completing her final year of studies. “I have been stressed about finding a job, but this opportunity has given us the chance to create an app that provides solutions to rural areas where waste is not collected by municipalities,” she explained.
The app will help communities and create job opportunities. “More importantly, this competition will expose us to networking with other students across Africa,” Malangwane added.
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