FRIDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2026
LAUNCH • ALIGN • START BUILDING
| Time | Segment | Lead | Purpose / production notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
10:00–10:20 |
Countdown studio and team roll call |
MC Rosemay Erawemen |
Live comments, regional shout-outs, weekend rules and social wall. |
|
10:20–10:30 |
Opening sting and welcome |
Mc: Rosemary Erawemen |
Set the ambition, explain the three-day rhythm and introduce the central support team. |
|
10:30–10:45 |
Sponsor opening address |
Janis Robson |
Welcome on behalf of FNB, Accenture and Cloud on Demand, and frame the value of youth-led technology and social innovation. |
|
10:45–11:05 |
Challenge reveal |
Sthembiso Dabula-Mabotja |
Reveal six challenge statements through short human stories and data-led context. |
|
11:05–11:20 |
Winner to builder |
Previous winner / founder |
A candid account of moving from hackathon idea to a working venture or product. |
|
11:20–11:30 |
Energy break: Code or Cap? |
MC + contestants |
Fast myth-busting game. Participants vote live and compete for instant vouchers. |
|
11:30–11:55 |
What the Hack? |
Yolisa Dumezweni |
Platform walkthrough, team rules, deliverables, judging criteria and help channels. |
|
11:55–12:10 |
Build responsibly |
Accenture / tech specialist |
Privacy, cyber safety, accessibility, AI disclosure and use of third-party data. |
|
12:10–12:25 |
Mentor speed introductions |
MC |
Each mentor gives a 20-second expertise pitch. Teams bookmark the right rooms. |
|
12:25–12:40 |
Live Q&A and first sponsor prize draw |
MC + sponsor representatives |
Answer top questions and draw a prize supplied by FNB, Accenture or Cloud on Demand from checked-in teams. |
|
12:40–12:45 |
Official start |
MC |
Countdown and handover to the build platform. |
Watch Our Live Stream
SATURDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2026
LAUNCH • ALIGN • START BUILDING
| Time | Segment | Lead | Purpose / production notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
09:00–09:08 |
Wake-up countdown |
MC: Rosemary Erawemen |
Music, live social wall and regional check-ins. |
|
09:08–09:18 |
Move before you build |
Wellness coach: Holly Chinkunta |
Accessible ten-minute stretch and reset. |
|
09:18–09:30 |
State of the Hackathon |
MC + Mr Thulani Mabuza |
Team count, challenge split, overnight highlights and Saturday milestones. |
|
09:30–09:45 |
What makes a useful product? |
Product leader |
Build for user value, focus and adoption rather than feature volume. |
|
09:45–10:05 |
From idea to viable venture |
Founder + FNB SME specialist |
Business model, routes to market, revenue and partnership choices.
Delivery Ka Speed |
|
10:05–10:20 |
Mentor hot seat |
Dr Ronny Mabokela |
Rapid answers to recurring design, code and business questions. |
|
10:05–10:20 |
Mentor hot seat |
Dr Ronny Mabokela |
Rapid answers to recurring design, code and business questions. |
|
10:20–10:30 |
Sponsor Street Team live cross |
Field host + sponsor representative |
First doorstep delivery, participant reaction and a clue linked to an FNB, Accenture or Cloud on Demand prize. |
|
10:30–10:45 |
Saturday challenge briefing |
Pratish Neerputh & Shraddha Neerputh (MST) |
Explain prototype bingo, social scavenger hunt and afternoon check gate. |
|
10:45–11:00 |
Closing and co-sponsor prize flash-Social Media |
MC + sponsor representatives |
Accenture or Cloud on Demand spin-to-win draw and handover to Sonke build rooms. |
|
09:18–09:30 |
State of the Hackathon |
Vuyiswa Sibisi |
Progress recap, technical notices and Sunday deadlines. |
|
09:30–09:45 |
Pitch with proof |
Pitch coach |
Show the user, problem, product, evidence, impact and ask. |
|
09:45–10:00 |
Demo without drama |
Tumi |
Submission formats, cloud readiness, backup video, links, permissions and final checks. |
Watch Our Live Stream
SUNDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2026
LAUNCH • ALIGN • START BUILDING
| Time | Segment | Lead | Purpose / production notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
09:00–09:08 |
Final-day countdown |
MC + DJ |
Social wall, team energy check and submission clock. |
|
09:08–09:18 |
Reset and focus |
Wellness coach: Holly Chinkunta |
Short mobility and breathing session. |
|
09:18–09:30 |
State of the Hackathon |
Vuyiswa Sibisi |
Progress recap, technical notices and Sunday deadlines. |
|
09:30–09:45 |
Pitch with proof |
Pitch coach |
Show the user, problem, product, evidence, impact and ask. |
|
09:45–10:00 |
Demo without drama |
Tumi |
Submission formats, cloud readiness, backup video, links, permissions and final checks. |
|
10:00–10:15 |
Judging decoded |
Rob Mclean |
Explain scoring and common weaknesses. No new criteria introduced. |
|
10:15–10:25 |
Street Team weekend montage |
Field producer |
Delivery reactions and participant stories from across the route. |
|
10:25–10:35 |
Final co-sponsor prize draw |
MC + sponsor representatives |
Draw an Accenture or Cloud on Demand prize from teams that passed both progress gates on Sonke. |
|
10:35 – 12:00 |
Hack-Away |
Teams with mentors |
Teams at work with guidance of mentors |