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R300k in prizes up for grabs in 2017 Girlcode Hackathon

From the 5th to 7th August, girls and women from various fields in the tech sector will gather for the 2017 Girlcode Hackathon happening in Joburg.

The annual event takes place 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.

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 Zandile Keebine, Girlcode chairwoman.

Girlcode Hackathon will be held at the Tshimologong Precinct in Braamfontein.

This years’ event 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.

“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,” said Jayshree Naidoo, Head of the 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.

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 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,” said Keebine. “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.”

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