Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has launched the third annual South African edition of TCS Sustainathon, a problem-solving competition that challenges the youth to develop innovative ideas to address real-world issues through technology.
TCS Sustainathon allows young people to work together with private businesses, non-profit organisations, and government bodies to develop solutions addressing sustainability challenges.
This year the competition challenges students to bring forth ideas for ‘Clean and Affordable Energy’.
In Africa around 600-million people, or 43% per cent of the population lack access to electricity. Coal accounts for 78,5% of South Africa’s electricity generation last year, while renewable sources contributed only 8,8%. This year’s theme aligns with the seventh goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at providing “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy” for all.
Langa Dube, TCS regional director for South Africa & Rest of Africa, says: “South Africa is a country with a remarkable knack for innovation. And the youth are a fundamental source of this transformative power. That’s why, through the TCS Sustainathon, we want to tap into their brilliance to help solve some of the real-life environmental issues facing the world today. We’re creating a space where they can address these problems through policy, design and innovation.”
Entries for TCS Sustainathon South Africa are open from 20 September 20 to 25 October. The challenge is open to teams of students, postgraduates, and recent graduates.
Entries begin with an online proposal. Ten teams will be selected to pitch their ideas at the finale. The winning team will collect a cash prize of R35 000, while second place will win R25 000, and third place R15 000, along with an opportunity to intern with TCS.
Further details are available here.