Grade 11 learners, Ngcebo Nzima and Fikile Nxumalo from Sitintile Secondary School in Kanyamazane will represent the province at the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) National Adjudications of the South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) later this year.
This is after they came out tops during the provincial competitions held in Middelburg last Thursday scooping the first prize with their innovation in the invention category. Second position went to Suikerland Secondary School from Malalane in Nkomazi Local Municipality and Skhila Secondary School from Lydenburg in Thaba Chweu Local Municipality came in third.
Jan Mabena from DWS outlined the purpose of the SAYWP stating that the main objective is to encourage learners to promote the protection of South Africa’s natural resource, encourage and empower the youth to participate in integrated and community-based water resource management, enhance interest of the youth and to expose them to science and technology, to motivate the youth to pursue careers in the water sector.
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The SAYWP has two categories, awareness and invention. The awareness category is basically a research project on an identified problem where learners recommend a solution and create awareness. The invention category is a research project on the identified problem whereby learners take action by developing a technical model or invention that can be used to solve the identified problem.
The Water and Sanitation Education Programme plays a vital role in raising awareness about water conservation, hygiene, and the impact of invasive alien plants. Additionally, it encourages learners to consider careers in the water sector, fostering long-term engagement in water and sanitation management. The programme is instrumental in promoting water literacy and instilling a culture of responsible water use within the public schooling system.
