Tata Consultancy Services’ (TCS's) second yearly Sustainathon South Africa has unveiled its winners for the 2023 edition of the global initiative aimed at empowering and engaging the youth to develop solutions for pressing societal and sustainability issues.

The 2023 TCS Sustainathon South Africa edition hosted ten finalists in Johannesburg to present their solutions for the critical water and sanitation challenges faced by the country’s communities to a panel of judges on Monday.

The TCS Sustainathon, which is also held yearly in the UK, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and India, provides a platform for youth to competitively develop solutions based on specific themes.

The theme of the second South African edition of the TCS Sustainathon was sustainable water and sanitation management.

Team Amanzi Impilo from the University of Cape Town was selected as the overall winner for its innovative solution, ‘The Use of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology in Grey Water Recycling for Non-Potable Uses’, which involved using technology to safely and efficiently recycle grey water and to ensure a zero water waste household.

Team Disruptors from the University of Johannesburg secured second prize, while Teams Pathfinders from Eduvos College, Health Science Academy and Rosebank College and Water-Wise Professionals from the University of the Witwatersrand tied for the third place.

The winning team won R30 000, the second place won R20 000 and third place R10 000, while all the other finalist teams received R5 000. All participants were presented with gift vouchers, goodie bags and potential TCS internships.

“The idea behind the second TCS Sustainathon South Africa was to inspire our youth to advocate for a more sustainable world. By allowing students to tap into the power of technology, communities and our partner ecosystem, I can confidently say that the work they have presented here today could have a real impact on South Africa’s critical water and sanitation challenges,” said TCS South Africa country manager Langa Dube.

TCS Sustainathon South Africa was open to current and graduate students, 18 years and older, from any of South Africa’s universities.

To build on their ideas, participants had the opportunity to work with TCS Sustainathon partners Geekulcha, Ubuhlebakhe WaterTM, SkillsLab and the City of Tshwane municipality, which provided access to corporate South Africa, and receive valuable mentorship.