Durban University of Technology (DUT)’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism students Zinhle Methula and Khanysile Mthembu, guided by their lecturer Ms Mathabo Mpitso, recently completed in the inaugural G20 Tourism Hackathon held at Sabi River Sun Resort in Mpumalanga Province.
Competing in different groups made up of students from various South African universities, Methula was part of The Catalysts team while Mthembu joined Kasi Khaya. The Catalysts emerged as the first-place winners, walking away with a prize of R175 000.
The students had earlier in the year took part in the Future Leaders Challenge (FLC). The G20 Tourism Hackathon initiative was launched in June 2025 by Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille. This initiative required participants to come up with Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions that would drive job creation and the inclusive, sustainable growth of the tourism sector through digital innovation.
Launched in partnership with the Future Leaders Challenge event, and in collaboration with the Centre for Public Service Innovation together with Geekulcha, the Tourism Hackathon initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of future leaders who will drive innovation within the tourism and hospitality sector.
The Catalysts conceptualised a Hologram Hub that provides a digital platform for rural communities to share their stories, showcase and preserve their culture and heritage, while also drawing tourists to their areas.
“There is a lot of local communities and informal vendors in tourism who do not have access to international tourist markets and are always sidelined from mainstream tourism. So, we came up with a hologram hub integrated with an app that focuses on benefiting locals and incorporating them into the tourism industry while promoting and preserving the South African cultural heritage,” explained Methula.
The biggest takeaway for the students was that collaboration, teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. “I have also learnt that even as students or young people, our voices matter, and our ideas can stand on an international stage and have a positive impact,” said Methula.
She also shared that the most exciting part about participating in the hackathon was being reminded that young people can step into spaces like this and create something meaningful and the encouragement to keep dreaming bigger. She also highlighted that it was inspiring to see how different minds can come together, mix ideas, and create something that can actually have an impact.
Her message to future hackathon participants is, “Start small, don’t be discouraged if your idea feels simple or just dumb, you just need to keep going. Innovation isn’t about having all the answers, as I have learnt, but about being willing to try, learn, and improve along the way. Your idea might be the one that makes a real difference in your community, and that’s already something to be proud of.”
According to the students’ lecturer and leader, Ms Mpitso, their idea stood out due to its people-centred and inclusive approach, which ensures that tourism growth empowers local communities while showcasing the country’s cultural identity.
As an academic the experience also came with key lessons, “As a guiding teacher, I learned that while preparation matters, adaptability is what helps a team overcome unexpected challenges. Students thrive with clear guidance, constructive feedback, defined roles, and the freedom to take ownership. Trusting them to make decisions built their confidence and deepened their understanding beyond theory,” said Mpitso.
Her role also came with having to give the necessary emotional support. “I found myself playing many roles beyond that of a mentor, including lecturer, psychologist, mother, and friend, to be their full support system. I needed to remain strong for them and consistently motivate them to continue, especially when they felt overwhelmed or wanted to quit. Most importantly, this experience reminded me that patience, empathy, and knowing when to step back are key in helping students develop into independent and capable leaders,” she continued.
The team plans to refine its concept further since they still have many ideas to explore. “We will focus on improving certain aspects. Once that’s done, we’ll proceed with developing the complete concept,” concluded Methula.
Pictured: Students, Zinhle Methula and Khanysile Mthembu with their lecturer Ms Mathabo Mpitso at the G20 Tourism Hackathon gathering.
Zandile Mahlobo
