Travel and tourism in South Africa is forecast to support 1,9 million jobs in 2025, accounting for 11,3% of all employment in the country (World Travel & Tourism Council, 2025). This highlights the sector’s dual role as both a key employer and a significant source of opportunities for the country.

On 5 May 2025, during the opening of the 2nd edition of the Future Leaders Challenge (FLC) South Africa, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille announced an exciting initiative – inviting some of the country’s top tourism and hospitality students to participate in the inaugural G20 Hackathon Challenge. Two University of Pretoria BComHons in Tourism Management students, Morongwa Manamela and Tiwirayi Mhere, and lecturer Dr Bianca Frost, played an active role in this inaugural event.

The event was officially launched by the Minister in June 2025 at the University of the Western Cape, bringing together 48 students from 21 higher education institutions across South Africa to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions for sustainable tourism. Working in multidisciplinary teams, the students were challenged to address pressing issues in the sector, including:

• smart tourism and AI solutions – AI solutions that empower small and macro enterprises (SME) and promote a seamless travel experience;
• community-based tourism and rural inclusion – AI solutions should connect tourists with small tourism operations who can offer experiences in the hidden gems that are located in small towns and villages; and
• heritage and cultural tourism innovation – AI solutions that showcase South African and African cultures, historical landmarks and indigenous knowledge and bring historical sites to life sustainably.

After the student teams were formed in Cape Town, the teams collaborated in an online environment for a period of four months, facilitated by the FLC team, their guiding teachers, mentors, and technical advisors to work on their proposed solutions. On 9 September, the teams reconvened in person to refine their solutions and prepare their presentations for the G20 Hackathon event, hosted at the Sabi River Sun Resort Mpumalanga from 10 to 11 September 2025.

Upon arrival, the teams immediately began presenting their solutions, receiving feedback, and refining their ideas – embodying the fast-paced, iterative nature of a typical Hackathon. On 10 September, the teams continued their intensive work, some working through the night alongside their mentors, ensuring their solutions were fully developed and impactful. Despite the scenic surroundings and opportunities for leisure, such as hippo watching, and an occasional chasing of the monkeys determined to grab something from the fruit basket, the students remained fully committed to delivering impactful, people-centred solutions.

On 11 September 2025, the students presented their team's vision for a futuristic tourism sector to a panel of judges comprising academics, tourism experts and government representatives. The presented solutions were measured against a strict set of criteria that assessed innovation, feasibility, user experience, impact and the alignment of the solutions with people-centred principles. Dr Bianca Frost served alongside Dr Mukondeleli Manuga-Radzilani, from the University of Venda, as secretariat to the judging panel to ensure the
fairness of the judging process, together with the Auditor General.

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille announced the G20 Tourism Hackathon winners:

• First-prize winner – ‘The Catalysts’, who conceptualised a Hologram Hub that offers a digital platform enabling rural communities to tell their story, as well as profile and preserve their culture and heritage, whilst attracting tourists to their communities.
• Second-prize winner – ‘Map My Biz’ created a solution that combines offline accredited learning, AI-driven support, and a global smart map that makes rural entrepreneurs visible, trusted and supported by tourists worldwide.
• Third-prize winner – ‘Ubuntu Unlimited’ created a digital tourism platform that blends VR, AI and Web3 to showcase South Africa's rural cultures to the world. It allows international tourists to explore villages virtually, join live workshops and buy authentic crafts, while also preparing them for in-person visits.

The top three teams were afforded the opportunity to present their solutions at the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Skukuza, Kruger National Park on 12 September 2025.

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille with students at G20 Tourism Hackathon, 11 September 2025

Morongwa Manamela, one of our UP participants, was part of The Catalysts winning team, who impressed the judges with their “Hologram Hub” concept and achieved first place! The team consisted of seven members, including Morongwa Manamela, Teagon Spykerman, Zinhle Methula, Innocentia Bongiwe Nkosi, Matshidiso Ralekholela, Tebogo Selepe and Khanyisa Mokgolobotho from various institutions across South Africa, including the University of Pretoria, the University of Johannesburg, Durban University of Technology, the University of Mpumalanga, the Independent Institute of Education, the Vaal University of Technology, and the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. The winning team was informed that they will receive R175 000 in prize money to further develop their concept together with mentorship and technical support, while the second-place winners received R140 000.

Morongwa Manamela with Dr Sipho Ngomani, Deputy Director-General of Corporate Management,
Department of Tourism

Reflecting on her experience, Morongwa Manamela said, “Participating in the Hackathon was transformative. It stretched my boundaries, pushed me outside my comfort zone, and taught me invaluable lessons about adaptability, communication, and the importance of collaboration. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we united under a common goal and built friendships that will last beyond the competition.”

Tiwirayi Mhere commented: “When I decided to return to do my honours degree, I didn’t think my academic life would be as eventful as it is today. The G20 Hackathon was an amazing experience. Throughout these four months I had the privilege of working with an incredible team of fellow students from different institutions, with the support of guiding teachers and mentors. Week after week we had coaching sessions, various tasks to complete, and group meetings to ensure our product became a reality. And that is how our solution, Kasi Khaya, became a platform that connects the world to South African rural destinations. This Hackathon reminded me that where there is a vision and passion, anything is possible.”

Tiwirayi Mhere presenting at the G20 Hackathon

Bianca Frost served as a guiding teacher, together with Lebohang Dibate, Head of the hospitality programme at the Swiss Hotel School in South Africa, for the team ‘Ubuntu Unlimited’, who secured third place overall in the Hackathon. The team will receive R105 000 to further develop their concept. Team members included Hishaam Langson, Thelma Makoma Rasekele, Skhanyiso Dlamini, Roos Moors, Mathapelo Ngubeni, Keotshepile Modise, and Vusi Matlou from universities comprising Nelson Mandela University, University of South Africa, University of Zululand, Eduvos (tourism and technical students), Central University of Technology and Sol Plaatjie University.

Reflecting on her guiding teacher role, Bianca Frost noted: “Being a guiding teacher with colleagues and students from other universities has been a rewarding experience. It is more than mentorship – it is about creating a collaborative space where students feel supported, ideas flow across institutions, and everyone learns together. Watching our students embrace this spirit of teamwork and innovation gives me hope for the kind of leaders they will become.”

In partnership with the team from the FLC (www.futureleaderschallenge.com/), the Centre for Public Service Innovation (www.cpsi.co.za/) and Geekulcha (www.geekulcha.dev/), the initiative underscores the importance of government, business and academia working together to shape a future-ready, tech-savvy tourism industry. For the University of Pretoria team, being part of his process was an invaluable opportunity to contribute as South Africans to shaping the future of the country’s tourism landscape.