Huawei is today proud to announce that a South African Seeds for the Future team will head to the global finals of the Huawei Tech4Good competition after an impressive showing at the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional finals held in China late last year. Cultivating the next generation of digitally skilled leaders is imperative to Huawei’s mission to strengthen digital ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its Seeds for the Future programme, exemplifies this commitment to building digitally connected societies.

The winning project at the regional finals – called e-Kasi Care – uses the power of virtual medical consultations to help close the healthcare gap in rural South Africa. These areas have few clinics and hospitals and also lack the necessary healthcare practitioners to adequately serve communities. This situation results in patients needing to travel long distances to see a doctor and the shortage of medical professionals in rural communities also means vital interventions can take too long to be delivered.

e-Kasi care offers a solution to these challenges through a real-time feed solution. This system records and relays a patient's medical data, to help doctors who are available through virtual consultations make speedy diagnoses that can lead to life-saving interventions.

By collecting data from thermal cameras and heart rate monitors and integrating cloud-based analysis tools, e-Kasi Care can diagnose certain illnesses with an accuracy rate of 94%.

Minister of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), Solly Malatsi has called the project a “groundbreaking initiative”. He adds, “Young people and the solutions they create are the key to building a prosperous South Africa. From innovating in health service delivery to unlocking economic opportunities, digital skills initiatives must be supported so the youth are empowered to build the future they desire for themselves.”

Deputy CEO of Huawei South Africa, Charles Cheng, reflects on the progress that students have made in the programme, “this cohort from South Africa has exceeded expectations and set a new standard for future applicants. We cannot wait to see the e-Kasi team’s broader impact as they show the world how meaningful solutions can be developed when social issues and technology intersect”.

The Seeds for the Future initiative is Huawei’s global flagship student training programme geared toward the ICT sector across six global regions. In SA, it has been running for close to a decade with the support of the DCDT to ensure that tech-savvy university students gain the necessary skills and mentorship to be successful industry leaders in the near future. The team leader of the award-winning e-Kasi Care project, Thirushan Pather, has also been selected as a global ambassador for the Seeds for the Future programme.

The computer engineering student from the University of Pretoria says he has always been fascinated by artificial intelligence, robotics and software development. “Huawei’s Seeds for the Future program was an eye-opening experience that broadened my perspective on the intersection of technology, startups, and business models.” He relished the opportunity to participate in the Tech4Good competition, despite the late nights and early mornings it required because, “the experience not only strengthened my technical and problem-solving skills but also taught me the importance of leadership, collaboration, and aligning technical innovation with business strategy,” he says.

During these regional finals, Pather and 13 other South African students joined more than 100 students from 15 African countries for a week-long training programme in Shenzhen, China. By visiting this global hub of innovation, students gained a fresh understanding of China’s digital landscape, and how emerging ICT companies work. Interactive sessions with Huawei executives exposed them to valuable insights about the company and its innovative prowess.

Students like Fanelesibonge Mbuyazi, who is now pursuing an MPhil in Information Technology at the University of Cape Town, say that travelling to China was, “an incredible blend of cultural and technological exposure. From visiting Huawei’s state-of-the-art campuses to exploring iconic landmarks, every moment was enriching and inspiring.”

Charné Scholtz’s ambition to work in the ICT sector is informed by the positive impact technology has on people’s lives. The 22-year-old Data Scientist from the University of Pretoria says, “I gained valuable skills in areas like networking, cloud computing, and digital transformation.” She adds that the Tech4Good competition has “reinforced my understanding of how ICT can be leveraged for positive societal impact.”

As the winners of the 2024 Tech4good regional semi-final, e-Kasi, will be invited to compete at the Global Innovation Final in China in April. This occasion will be the first time that top teams from around the world gather and compete in one location, offering exciting challenges and opportunities for career development.

Cheng’s parting words for the Tech4good finalists are that “the future belongs to bold thinkers and problem-solvers. Young people just need the tools and opportunities to lead a wave of transformative change. Remember to embrace curiosity as you journey to create solutions that can change the world.”