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GirlCodeZA Calling all female developers to Hack

by Innov8tiv.com
GirlCodeZA

This years’ #GirlCodeHack promises to be the biggest yet, with a total of R300,000 in prizes to be won, meaning all participants stand a real chance to win something over the course of the weekend. This years’ grand prize will be a trip for the winning team to an International women in tech conference, courtesy of Standard Bank.

GirlCodeZATaking place over two days from 5-6 August, the 2017 Hackathon has received exceptional support from corporate sponsors, most notably Standard Bank who are the headline sponsor.

“Over the years, we’ve seen some exceptional product ideas pitched at the GirlCode Hackathon and so, in partnership with Standard Bank, we want to provide the winning team with outstanding opportunity to learn, grow their idea, and come back to South Africa with some inspired stories of women in tech to share with their peers.”

Part of the slow uptake of girls in tech is the low number of women role models. We want to expose our girls to the vast and valuable network of international women role models in tech, explains Keebine.

As Standard Bank we are proud to be associated with initiatives that change the narrative on the opportunities available to young women.  These programs help us to grow and nurture talented individuals for the future world of work and get them to their next.  Over the past year, we have engaged in several programs designed to promote a focus on woman in technology.” Says Jayshree Naidoo, Head: Standard Bank Incubator.

Over and above the grand prize, participants will be vying for second and third place spots and the chance to win several Educational courses, courtesy of MTN.

“We’ve never offered prizes for second and third place teams before, but we’re particularly excited about these prizes as they have the specific objective of empowering our girls to learn and grow, says Keebine.

Throughout the weekend, there will be also be a social media competition and spot prizes where participants have the chance to win google headsets, google goggles, udemy course vouchers, 10GB data bundles and tickets to rAge among other prizes.

“We have been overwhelmed by corporate support this year,” says Zandile Keebine, Girlcode Chairwoman. “We want the Hackathon to be more than women in tech getting together over a weekend; we want the girls to feel empowered after the event. The prizes on offer from Standard Bank, Microsoft, Ericsson, and MTN are all designed to do just that.”

The event will take place at Tshimologong Precinct in celebration of Women’s month. The objective of the Hackathon is to provide young girls, eager to join the software industry with an opportunity to develop some of the real-world skills they need to enter the business environment.  As such, this years’ Hackathon will require the participants to develop a solution within one of the following category areas; e-government, gamification, multichannel retail, social welfare, and productivity.

“We hope these events will be the chance to build a network of like-minded people, connect with potential mentors, and open South Africa’s budding women in tech up to the international role models.” Concludes Keebine.

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