Competition teaches learners about saving water in communities

A 17 year-old learner, Oratile Motseki, from Mamello Thuto High School in Bothaville under the Lejweleputswa District Municipality has won the South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) Competition award following the competitions that were held on 30 and 31 March in Bloemfontein at the Bon Hotel Central.

Motseki will now represent the province at the final adjudications of the competition to be held on 29 May in Gauteng.

The competition is part of the Department’s Water & Sanitation Education Programme (WSEP), which aims to educate learners about water use efficiency, protection of water resources, health and hygiene, as well as how to identify and remove invasive alien plants in our water resources. The program is in collaboration with numerous public and private stakeholders, with the Department of Education (DoE) being an important role player.

The competition is hosted yearly, one of the science & technology-based action programmes of the Water and Sanitation Education Programme (WSEP).

Learners of 14 schools in Gr.9 to Gr. 11 entered projects that entail either an awareness campaign about saving water, or a prototype to save water around the house or school.

Oratile developed a prototype project called Smart Water Board, which focused on prevention of water losses in a form of leaking pipes by municipalities. The prototype is  made to detects water leaks and alert the municipality on the exact location.

He won a laptop and a R11 000 prize. He will also receive a bursary to study at any higher education institution of his choice. He now goes through to the national competition of which the winner will represent the country at the Junior Water Prize competitions organised by Stockholm International Water Institute in Sweden.

Nanabolela Senior Secondary from Welkom in Lejweleputswa District Municipality took the second position with a R 9 500 prize money, a bursary, and a laptop. Sechaba se Maketse High School from Botshabelo in Mangaung took a third position and walked away with a consolation prize of R7 500.

For the competition, learners brought with them both physical projects and supporting documentations as a proof of ownership. Leaners were given option to choose from a category of invention category, detailing on the engineering prototype or an awareness project. Their presentations entailed tangible solutions to the problems they have encountered in their communities.