Details
Hybrid format. In-person attendance is encouraged.
Date: Monday, 22 June 2026
Start time: 10:00 AM SAST resuming at 14:00 PM SAST for second session each day of Bootcamp segment
Application Deadline: 1 June 2026, Monday.
Outcome: Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis within two weeks of submission. You will receive a request for an interview within two weeks of application submission
Duration: 4h00 to 6h00 split into two sessions
Bootcamp Lead: Anda Ngcaba
Sponsor: The FirstRand Foundation
Partner: The Cortex Hub
Location: the Cortex Hub, 33 Church Street, East London, Eastern Cape
The Winter School includes:
A two-week intensive hybrid bootcamp on Open Banking, Full Stack Development, Data Science, and Blockchain, featuring daily lectures and practical sessions led by expert facilitators from the UCT Financial Innovation Hub and The Cortex Hub — 22 June to 5 July 2026. The bootcamp will be delivered in hybrid format, with in-person sessions hosted at The Cortex Hub, 33 Church Street, East London CBD, Eastern Cape.
A one-week physical hackathon to apply bootcamp knowledge, collaborate in teams, and work with technical and business development mentors — 6 to 10 July 2026 — with final submissions and presentations on 10 July 2026, held in person at The Cortex Hub, East London.
Eligibility
You must satisfy one of the following:
Priority applicants — preference will be given to:
- Second-year and above students currently enrolled at Walter Sisulu University or the University of Fort Hare for 2026 (proof of registration and/or academic transcripts required).
- Recent graduates (2023–2025) of Walter Sisulu University or the University of Fort Hare (proof of academic transcripts or graduation certificate required).
- Alumni of Walter Sisulu University or the University of Fort Hare (proof of graduation certificate and/or transcripts required).
- Entrepreneurs currently affiliated with The Cortex Hub, East London.
Open applications:
- Undergraduate and honours students from other South African universities are welcome to apply. Please note that places for applicants outside of Walter Sisulu University and the University of Fort Hare are limited, and preference will be given to WSU and Fort Hare applicants.
Interested?
Applications open May 1, 2026. Follow this link to apply: application link.
Applications close on 1 June 2026 11:55 PM.
