Media Kit
Media Advisory
Johannesburg Brings Out its Best Ideas for Combating Gender-Based Violence
13 October 2020
The Silicon Cape Initiative
Over the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of October 2020, emerging software developers, IT professionals, trainers, civil society organisations, students, academics, professionals and even high school learners from around Johannesburg gathered virtually to see how they could use tech to tackle gender-based violence (GBV). This was the second of four hackathons which form part of an initiative by Silicon Cape and the U.S. Embassy in South Africa, called Hackathons for South Africa: Digital Solutions for Real World Challenges. Finally, on Sunday the 11th of October, the winning solution was announced.
Walking away with the R25,000 grand prize was Always Safe Networks for their security jewellery solution. Outlining their idea, team leader, Dr Sibo Tito, shared: “Pulling out an obvious security device during an attack can result in more harm than good. What’s more, victims tend not to report incidents due to an inability to provide proof. With an inconspicuous, unobtrusively activated panic button that not only summons help to the victim’s GPS location but also records every incident, women will feel much more secure and it will drive reporting, protection orders and prosecution through physical proof.”
In addition to the cash prize, which the team says will be put towards bringing their solution to life, Always Safe Networks have won a Silicon Cape membership valued at R1,500. With Silicon Cape being an ecosystem enabler for tech-enabled startups, the team will be connected with accelerators, mentors and other relevant community members such as developers, angel investors and venture capitalists to help them take their solution to market. Amazon Web Services will also give Always Safe Networks access to the low cost, easy-to-use infrastructure needed to scale and grow via the AWS Activate programme which includes benefits like $10,000 worth of AWS Promotional Credits, valid for two years; AWS Business Support valued at $5,000; and a solution architect technical white-boarding session.
Scooping second place and the R15,000 prize was Oaks for their mobile app aimed at empowering GBV victims. Team leader, Rose Dube, explained that one in three women have experienced some form of gender-based violence, but less than 40% of these women seek help of any sort. “Reasons for this include social stigma, financial dependence on the perpetrator and lack of access to resources. Our solution is a chat-based mobile application that provides support, information, tools and access to a community in an environment free of prejudice and judgement.”
Organiser of the hackathons, Lianne du Toit, who is the Founder of HackOn, says: “Gender-Based Violence is the shadow pandemic. The hackathon helped create a safe space for innovative solutions to come to the fore. It brought together diverse minds like doctors, psychologists, entrepreneurs and students to give a voice to those who are unable to speak for themselves. We cannot solve these issues in isolation and require systemic changes from education, culture and leadership. When we know better, we do better.”
Silicon Cape Director, Zimkhita Buwa, added: “We believe that tech can help change the world we live in and are delighted to have witnessed so many innovative ideas to curb the scourge of GBV. We hope that all the teams continue to hone their solutions for the good of all women and children in our country.”
For more information, go to
Hackathon zones in on digital solutions to curb GBV
23 September 2020
ITWEB
Tech incubator Silicon Cape and the US Embassy in South Africa are coming together once more, to run a weekend-long hackathon aimed at finding digital solutions to fight the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
While the hackathon, which forms part of the Embassy’s year-long initiative called “Hackathons for South Africa: Digital Solutions for Real World Challenges”, has taken place offline in the past, the upcoming event will be held virtually. The hackathon is happening when South Africa is witnessing a spike in GBV-related offences and femicide, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and nation-wide lockdown.
Yesterday, police minister Bheki Cele described gender-based violence as the second pandemic that is at crisis levels in the country, saying government has pinned down 30 GBV hotspots in line with response efforts. Cele previously indicated that in the first five days of the COVID-19-induced lockdown, the police force’s GBV hotline received 2 300 calls – nearly three times the rate prior to lockdown.
In a statement, Silicon Cape says the virtual hackathon will take place over the weekend of 3 and 4 October, with a bootcamp to be hosted between Monday, 5 and Friday, 9 October.Emerging software developers, IT professionals, trainers, civil society organisations, students, academics and professionals with expertise relevant to the theme are all invited to attend the hackathon. They will be asked to explore what can be done to make communities safer, investigate how best to respond to threats, and produce tech ideas that could save lives. All teams takiNg part in the hackathon will pitch their ideas to the audience and judges. Sunday, 11 October will see them deliver their final presentations, after which the winning solution will be selected and a prize-giving ceremony will be held.
The winning team will walk away with R25 000, the runner-up will receive R15 000 and there will be R5 000 in spot prizes up for grabs. Silicon Cape chairperson Dr Sumarie Roodt says: “Tech has the power to change lives, so why shouldn’t it be applied to solving one of the biggest challenges plaguing South Africa.”
For the bootcamp, anyone is allowed to join, to learn more about topics such as design thinking, rapid prototyping and taking one’s app to market. It will be held daily on the Embassy’s Facebook page, comprising lunchtime talks and featuring speakers such as Alex Nana-Sinkam, portfolio lead for global equity at IDEO; Nonhlanhla Mokwena, executive director of People Opposing Women Abuse; and Lathika Pai, country head at Microsoft for start-ups.
To sign up or for more information, click here. To follow the article click here.
U.S. Consulate Cape Town
31 October, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tackling Gender-Based Violence Through
Tech
Every three hours a woman is murdered in South
Africa. What’s more, the country has the fourth
highest female interpersonal violence death rate
in the world. Additionally, South Africa’s rape
statistics are amongst the highest globally, with
an average of 114 rapes being reported to the
police every day.
The theme of gender-based violence will be the
focus of the first of four hackathons taking place
in Cape Town and Johannesburg over a one-year
period as part of an initiative by the US Embassy
in South Africa called Hackathons for South
Africa: Digital Solutions for Real World
Challenges.
The inaugural hackathon will be held in the EY
premises at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
from Friday the 22nd to Sunday, the 24th of
November 2019. Emerging software developers, IT
professionals, trainers, civil society
organisations, academics and professionals with
expertise relevant to the theme are all invited to
attend the event and create innovative digital
solutions to the problem of gender-based
violence.
During the hackathon, attendees will explore what
can be done to make communities safer, investigate
how best to respond to threats, and produce tech
that could save lives.
The winning team will walk away with R15,000.
What’s more, with implementation partner Silicon
Cape being an ecosystem enabler for tech-enabled
startups, they will be connected with
accelerators, mentors and other relevant community
members such as developers, angel investors and
venture capitalists to help bring their solution
to life. Amazon Web Services will also give the
winning team access to the low cost, easy-to-use
infrastructure needed to scale and grow via the
AWS Activate programme which includes benefits
like $10,000 worth of AWS Promotional Credits,
valid for two years; AWS Business Support valued
at $5,000 which is valid for up to one year and a
solution architect technical whiteboarding
session.
Will Stevens, Deputy Consul General at the U.S.
Consulate in Cape Town says: “The scourge of
gender-based violence is something that affects
our communities here in South Africa as well as
the United States, and we must stand together to
stop it. By bringing together South African and
American civic activists, coders, and creatives,
we believe that this hackathon will offer real
solutions to help tackle the problem in both our
societies.”
Silicon Cape Chairperson, Dr Sumarie Roodt, adds:
“Through these hackathons we hope to bring real
solutions to the fore that could help real people
to either change their reality or perception for
the better. We want to instil hope and would like
to upskill all participants with new mental models
and frameworks that they could apply to other
areas of their working or personal lives. Most
importantly, we want to build stronger communities
and build a bridge between South Africa and the
USA.”
To participate in the hackathon, or for more
information, please email
[email protected].
Press
Metro FM Digital Player Radio Live
Interview Topic: Digital Player
Blurb: Interview with CEO and Founder of Girlhype Baratang Miya, a digital player, on the upcoming hackathon.
Date of publication: 01 November 2019
Format of interview: Radio interview
Hackathon tackles gender-based violence through tech
Blurb: IT-Online aims to provide a one-stop news and information resource for and about the IT industry and of value to IT users, decision-makers and practitioners.
Date of publication: 05 November 2019
Format of interview: Online resource
Link: /Nov 5, 2019
Hackathon calls for tech solutions to gender-based violence
Blurb: A vital resource for South African ICT decision-makers, ITWeb delivers news, views and information through diverse content platforms, including online, e-newsletters, social media, print and events. ITWeb is recognised as South Africa’s technology news and information leader.
Date of publication: 05 November 2019
Format of interview: Online resource
US Embassy and Silicon Cape to host hackathons focussed on tackling GBV
Blurb: A pivotal point of reference for online startup and SMME news, HTXT media is the go to resource for online technology startup and SMME news.
Date of Publication: 07 November 2019
Format of Interview: Online Interview
Link:
‘Hackathon’ hopes to change mindsets
Blurb:An involved, dynamic and family-orientated daily on-day newspaper with a strong community identity, aimed at the needs of readers in Cape Town.
Date of publication: 07 November 2019
Format of interview: Online PDF Interview
Link: /
US Embassy Cape Town hackathon to seek tech solutions for gender-based violence
Blurb:
Date of publication: 08 November 2019
Format or interview: Online resource
Link:
Dr Sumarie Roodt and Deputy Public Affairs
Officer Mignon Cardentey on Cape Talk