Constructed around a fable involving an alien spaceship which hailed a group of hackers and touched down for repairs to their damaged computers, the camp featured a sculpted spaceship and a "landing area" illuminated by ghostly neon pillars.

CNN: Reporter's notebook: Hackers on holiday

Mr Dlamini, blessed with a dogged determination, support from senior people inside and outside the group, and an ability to adapt to alien environments, stayed the course.

ECONOMIST: Face value