IIE-Vega student takes top spot at Absa Design Hackathon
Read more: IIE Vega interior design graduate rings the bell on chemo and graduation
Sokhela, an IIE Bachelor of Experience Design, will be competing with other tertiary institutions for a 2026 internship at Absa. Now in its fifth year, the Absa Design Hackathon was originally launched during the Covid-19 lockdown as a virtual event. In recent years, it has become more intentional about targeting tertiary institutions.
For Absa, the hackathon serves as both a recruitment tool for their design team and a pipeline to funnel top talent into their graduate programme and broader hiring process. The bank is also working with institutions such as the Tshwane University of Technology, Greenside Design Centre and the University of Johannesburg.
Sokhela received a backpack filled with Absa merchandise, including noise-cancelling headphones and a speaker. This was her second year participating in the hackathon – she also placed in the top five in 2024.
This year, she created a youth-focused education campaign called 'We Grow Together,' aimed at boosting financial confidence among 20 to 30-year-olds. The campaign offered a culturally relevant and interactive digital experience to teach financial literacy. It included a TikTok-led content strategy, a Gen Z-focused microsite and features for communal saving.
'As new adults, financial freedom is scary, but my campaign shows them that with Absa's help, it's something they can embrace,' she said.
Her microsite included infographics on big purchases like buying a car or a house, and a dedicated section for content creators on how to manage irregular incomes. TikTok was chosen as the campaign's partner because it's familiar to Gen Z users.
Reflecting on the experience, Sokhela encouraged other students to get involved. 'It's a form of networking – showing yourself, your work and your potential.'
The top five students selected were from the Bordeaux campus:
Khanyisile Sokhela (third year IIE Bachelor of Experience Design)
Kayla de Kock (first year IIE Bachelor of Experience Design)
Blessing Mtetwa (second year IIE Bachelor of Communication Design)
Savanna Bloem (second year IIE Experience Design)
Wezi Lehlohonolo Phiri (second year IIE Bachelor of Experience Design)
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