Free State learners have achieved outstanding success at the 2025 Water and Sanitation Education Programme’s (WSEP) national adjudication, securing bursaries and substantial prize money.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), together with water sector entities, hosted the national event from 6 to 11 October in Benoni. The aim was to recognise excellence in the department’s school-based education initiative aimed at creating awareness about water resources management, water services, and sanitation amongst learners and society.
The programme also promotes careers in the water sector whilst giving learners exposure to identify water and sanitation challenges in their respective schools and communities, encouraging them to develop innovative solutions.
Young learners from Free State primary schools participated in the Baswa Le Meetse (Youth in Water) competition, which featured five creative subcategories: drama, music, poetry, praise poetry, and posters.
The competition recognises youth achievements
The competition recognises youth achievements in educating society about integrated water resource management, promoting water use efficiency, health and hygiene, and the use and care of sanitation facilities.
Learners of the Setshabelo Primary School in Welkom secured first position in the poster category, earning R30 000 prize money for their school. The Bhekilanga Primary School in Heilbron achieved second place in praise poetry, receiving R25 000 prize money.
Gr.9 and Gr.10 learners competed in aqua enduro and public speaking categories. Aqua enduro addresses skill shortages in scientific and engineering disciplines within the water sector at grassroots level, encouraging learners to develop science and technology-based projects addressing water resource challenges.
Nkgopoleng Secondary School in Sasolburg represented the province in this category, with Tshireletso Rangwaga winning the award as best participant in Aqua Enduro Group Leadership. The Lephola Public School in Welkom represented the province in the public speaking category, with three learners securing educational bursaries to study courses of their choice related to the water and sanitation sector. The bursaries are funded by DWS’s Learning Academy.
Learners demonstrate their passion for Mathematics and Science
“The learners demonstrated their passion for both Mathematics and Science with their technological innovations,” said Maditaba Tau, teacher of Nkgopoleng. Tau acknowledged the collaboration between participating schools and the Central University of Technology (CUT), praising Lerato Mofokeng of the institution as an excellent mentor who tirelessly guided the learners.
“My advice to new schools participating in the programme is to form collaborations with higher education institutions to adequately prepare for the competitions. Congratulations to the learners who received DWS bursaries. The ball is in their court now to work hard and achieve university entry marks,” she concluded.
Learners, teachers, and schools wishing to participate in Water and Sanitation Education Adjudications for 2026 can contact the WSEP coordinators in the Free State. Call Kelebohile Saha on 073 440 8781 and Nkosinathi Zungu on 082 556 0545.
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