Now in its fifth year, TCS Sustainathon is helping young South Africans use AI to solve real-world challenges, with registrations rising nearly sevenfold since 2024
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, AUGUST 26, 2026: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, is helping nurture locally grounded solutions to South Africa’s sustainability challenges through TCS Sustainathon. The programme was designed to help South Africa build a more sustainable future by using AI to develop locally grounded solutions to address challenges such as agricultural vulnerability, water scarcity, and economic exclusion. Real progress comes from tailoring solutions to a country’s unique realities and experiences, not by replicating global models. Now in its fifth year, the programme provides young innovators with mentorship, structure, and industry visibility to help them turn community-focused ideas into credible and scalable ventures.
Since its launch in 2022 TCS Sustainathon has grown into a platform that connects students with real-world sustainability challenges while equipping them with the skills and support needed to transform promising ideas into market-ready solutions. Participation has increased from over 180 registered students in 2024 to 350 in 2025, with registrations surpassing 1,200 in 2026, reflecting the programme’s growing reach and impact among young innovators across South Africa.
Langa Dube, Regional Director, South Africa and Rest of Africa, said, “As TCS Sustainathon South Africa marks its fifth year, we are proud of the way the programme has evolved into a powerful platform empowering young innovators and inspiring changemakers. This year, students will explore how AI can address real-world sustainability challenges and create lasting impact on communities and the everyday lives of people”
The programme’s impact is reflected in the journeys of participants who have used the platform to strengthen their ideas, expand their capabilities, and take their innovations beyond the competition. Here are some of the stories that continue to inspire our journey:
Bridging the gap: The AgriSentry story
Phemelo Maile and his team, AgriSentry, winners of the 2025 edition of TCS Sustainathon, developed an affordable system that uses low-cost Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, wireless communication, cloud technology, and data analytics to monitor farm conditions and provide actionable alerts to farmers.
Phemelo Maile, Team Lead, AgriSentry, said, “TCS Sustainathon gave us the opportunity to move AgriSentry from an early idea into a structured and credible venture. Winning (the competition) provided funding for further product development, but more importantly, it gave us the confidence and credibility to engage with farmers, mentors, and industry partners.”
Today, AgriSentry continues to explore opportunities to support farmers through accessible technology while addressing challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
Turning circular thinking into community impact: The Siban story
The Siban team, led by Natalie-Jane Van Dieman, secured fourth place in the 2025 competition with a project focused on sustainable agriculture and food security through a circular model combining grassroots knowledge with innovation.
Natalie-Jane Van Dieman, Team Member, Siban, said, “We all came from backgrounds where we had witnessed the reality of food insecurity, particularly in rural communities and townships. We wanted to explore practical, sustainable solutions that could strengthen local food systems. For us, this wasn’t just an academic exercise; it reflected the experiences of our own communities.”
Van Dieman now works on a community garden initiative that combines indigenous knowledge with technology. The project grows food and medicinal plants while helping elder community members to use AI tools to create promotional materials for their produce.
Using AI to improve Food access: The NutriTech story
Joyce Coem and her team, NutriTech, developed Farm2Kitchen, an AI-powered platform designed to connect local farmers with schools and communities, helping ensure surplus produce reaches people who need it instead of going to waste.
Joyce Coem, Team Member, NutriTech, said, “While many families struggle with food insecurity, large quantities of edible food are lost throughout the supply chain. We believed technology could help bridge this gap by improving food distribution, supporting local farmers, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Sustainability is not limited to environmental initiatives. It includes using technology to improve lives, strengthen communities, and create equal opportunities. I now see my role as developing secure, innovative, and scalable digital solutions that address real societal challenges.”
Participation in TCS Sustainathon helped strengthen Coem’s software development, presentation, and problem-solving capabilities while reinforcing her commitment to using technology for social impact.
Together, these three stories demonstrate how TCS Sustainathon enables young innovators to see themselves as active contributors to South Africa’s development.
By combining mentorship, practical problem-solving, and exposure to industry leaders, TCS Sustainathon is helping young South Africans develop the skills, confidence, and networks needed to transform innovative ideas into solutions with the potential to create lasting impact.
