The TEXPO Hackathon 2025 was a resounding success, bringing together talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to innovate, create, and solve complex tech-problems. Notably, out of over 40 blind applications without school names, 3 out of 8 finalist teams were from USAP Community School, showcasing the hard work all the teams put into their projects. Let’s hear from the participants themselves, as they share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs.
For Sindisiwe Mkize (USAPCS’26), the hackathon was an opportunity to challenge herself and step out of her comfort zone. “I decided to join the hackathon because I wanted to challenge myself,” she reflects. Through the experience, she learned valuable skills such as collaboration, patience, and task delegation. Her key takeaway? “Never give up, even when things are not working out.” Sindisiwe faced obstacles and setbacks but persevered, relying on her teammates for support. “I learned to collaborate and delegate tasks effectively,” she says. “It was a great experience that taught me a lot about myself and my capabilities.”
Makanaka Makumbe(USAPCS’25)’s journey to the hackathon was an adventure in itself. With minimal coding experience, she embarked on her first hackathon in Bulawayo with a mix of excitement and nerves. Despite facing challenges, her teammates’ support carried her through. The surprise announcement of winning the second runner up prize was a highlight of her experience. One of the three finalist teams from USAPCS, the Titans, which she was a part of, became the first runner-up in the competition winning a Raspberry Pi Computer and a Raspberry Pi Ai Camera. “Overall, my experience was undoubtedly the highlight of my holiday,” Makanaka exclaims. “I’m grateful for the experience and the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals,” she adds.
For Peace Nyaguze(USAP’26), “The hackathon was a learning opportunity, tackling complex problems and pushing innovation boundaries. Through collaboration and creative problem-solving, our team delivered a cutting-edge solution.” He reflects on the experience, “We worked together, brainstorming ideas and iterating on our solution. It was an incredible experience that taught me a lot about innovation and teamwork.”
Whether it’s stepping out of comfort zones, learning from challenges, or innovating through teamwork, the experience was transformative for all. The TEXPO Hackathon 2025 was more than just a competition – it was a platform for growth, innovation, and collaboration. We are excited to see the impact that the participants will make in their lives from the lifelong lessons they learnt through the hackathon.
