JOHANNESBURG – Free State learners secured bursaries, laptops and cash prizes at the 2026 Water and Sanitation Education Programme National Adjudication, held at the Anew Hotel in Benoni, Johannesburg, from 27 September to 1 October.

The Water and Sanitation Education Programme aims to address skills shortages in science and engineering within the water sector, while raising awareness among learners about water-use efficiency, responsible water resources management, environmental sustainability and sanitation facility care.

High school learners participated in the Aqua Enduro and Public Speaking competitions, while primary school learners competed in the Baswa le Meetse programme across the Poster, Music and Praise Poetry categories.

In the Public Speaking category, Oratile Mareka of the Trio High School in the Fezile Dabi District was awarded a bursary and a laptop. Lerato Tshabalala of the Lindley High School in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District received a bursary, while Keitumetse Masisi of the Kgorathuto Secondary School in the Mangaung Metro was awarded a bursary and a laptop.

Lebohang Motsumi of the Ratau Primary School in the Mangaung Metro secured second position nationally in the Poster category, earning R25 000, comprising R10 000 from the provincial competition and R15 000 from the national adjudication.

Learners of the Ereskuld Primary School in the Mangaung Metro secured third position nationally in the Music category, earning R20 000, comprising R10 000 from the provincial competition and R10 000 from the national adjudication.

Team Free State was sponsored by Alberto Road Marking and Civils. Company director Sinde Ndlapo said the sponsorship aims to nurture the next generation of professionals in the province’s water and civil infrastructure development. He said the company hopes participating learners will develop into future engineers, scientists and leaders in the water sector.

“We hope that one day they will work alongside us in building the province’s water and civil infrastructure,” Ndlapo said.

The Free State Department of Education said it remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote responsible water use and sanitation practices, and encourages learners to pursue careers in science, engineering and the water sector.

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