A passion for developing future software professionals has inspired a Durban University of Technology (DUT) Honours student from the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics (FAI) to equip fellow students with practical software development skills through an innovative incubation programme designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations.
Mpilo Zikhali, an Honours student in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and founder of Geeked On, launched the Geeked On ASP.NET Incubation Programme after recognising the drawback of the traditional education paradigm, where many students possessed strong theoretical knowledge, they often lacked the practical experience needed to design, develop and deploy complete software solutions.
“I noticed that many students understood the theory but struggled to apply it when building real world applications. In line with the Engineering Practice Innovation Project (EPIP) paradigm of learning being advocated by the FAI Executive Dean, I wanted to create a platform where students could learn by doing, build confidence in their abilities and realise that they are capable of developing industry standard software,” said Zikhali.
Determined to address this challenge, Zikhali organised a five day incubation programme from 15 to 19 June 2026. The initiative attracted approximately 83 students, primarily third year ICT students, while also welcoming motivated second year students eager to strengthen their software development skills.
The initiative was supported by DUT Information Technology Department Staff, FAI Engagement Officer, Geekulcha, Tech-Horizon, and the Singawe Foundation, whose collaboration contributed to creating an enriching learning environment that connected students with industry expertise and practical opportunities.
Throughout the programme, participants received practical training in ASP.NET MVC web development, database integration using Entity Framework Code First, GitHub for version control and collaboration, software planning, project architecture, web application deployment and professional teamwork. Rather than focusing solely on curriculum based technical concepts, the programme challenged students to solve real world problems by developing complete software applications.
For Zikhali, the initiative was about more than improving coding skills.
“Our goal was not only to teach students how to code but to empower them to take ownership of their academic work and build skills that would better position them for the work environment. When students build their own applications, they gain confidence, strengthen their problem solving abilities and become better prepared for the workplace,” she explained.
Zikhali’s passion for mentoring began in 2023 when she was appointed as a tutor for first year Information Technology students. Supporting aspiring developers inspired her to establish Geeked On as a platform dedicated to nurturing the next generation of software professionals.
The incubation programme culminated in the Geeked On Demo Day on 31 July 2026, where student teams presented their software solutions to industry representatives, partners and academic staff. The showcase gave students an opportunity to practically demonstrate their technical capabilities while receiving valuable feedback from professionals working in the technology sector.
Representatives from Premier Agric, DigiYouth Africa and the DUT Information Technology Department engaged with students as they presented innovative solutions designed to address real world challenges.
Emerging as the winning team was a group of six students who developed EcoRewards SA, a smart recycling rewards system designed to encourage sustainable waste management across South African municipalities.
The team identified two key challenges: low public participation in recycling initiatives and the difficulty municipalities experience in accurately tracking recycling activities. Their solution allows residents to record recyclable materials before collection. Once a Collection Officer verifies the weight of the materials collected, users are rewarded with points that can be redeemed for incentives such as airtime and shopping vouchers.
Third year Diploma in ICT: Application Development student Angel Ndaba described winning the competition as a proud and memorable achievement.
“It was an amazing and unforgettable moment. We spent many hours planning, designing, developing and refining our solution. Hearing our team’s name announced as the winners was incredibly rewarding. It reminded us that hard work, teamwork and persistence truly pay off,” she said.
Their success has earned the team an opportunity to compete at the upcoming Geekulcha Annual Hackathon in Sandton, where they will showcase EcoRewards SA on a national platform, engage with industry leaders and mentors, and further refine their solution through expert guidance.
The success of the Geeked On ASP.NET Incubation Programme reflects the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics’ paradigm shift towards creating adaptive graduates who are equipped with practical skills, an innovative mindset and the confidence to solve real world challenges. By empowering students to lead initiatives that combine practice of academic knowledge with industry experience, the Faculty continues to strengthen DUT’s contribution to innovation, digital transformation and graduate employability.
Pictured: Honours student Mpilo Zikhali, founder of Geeked On, together with participants in the Geeked On ASP.NET Incubation Programme during the Demo Day, where student teams showcased innovative software solutions developed to address real world challenges.
Photographer: Mandisi Mvunelo
Sinamile Sithole
