‘Water prizes’ for the water-wise
The Western Cape department of water and sanitation handed over bursaries and laptops to two Grade 12 learners from Knysna High School who participated in the SA Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) competition earlier this year and won at regional level. The handover was on Wednesday 20 November.
The competition is a science-andtechnology initiative aimed at promoting and encouraging young people to develop an interest in the water and sanitation sector. Through this competition they develop technologies that seek to address the current challenges faced by the sector at large.
The two learners, Kaydee Jantjies and IngeMare Temaggies, entered the competition together. Their entry revolved around the concept of utilising a grey-water system – which not many people know about yet, as they found during a survey – and how it can assist with the water crisis in the country.
Grey water refers to the relatively clean waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines, and other kitchen appliances.
Their entry won the first prize of two laptops, R6 000 cash (3% of which goes to the school), a bursary each and employment after completing their studies.
Kaydee and Inge-Mare, both whose parents are teachers, expressed their excitement, with Inge-Marie saying it feels unreal that their future is secured. She added, "Winning the laptop feels real because we can see them, but one can't put into words the feeling that comes with the knowledge that your future is just waiting for you to show up. This will definitely make life easy for my parents."
Kaydee also mentioned the fact that teachers don't earn a lot of money. "So having a bursary makes things really easy for our families and what's also amazing is that more learners are now participating in competitions."
Malusi Rayi from the department said the competition gives learners an opportunity to identify water and sanitation-related problems in their school or community, relating to water sources, pollution, waterborne diseases, water conservation and awareness, and invasive alien species. "They conduct research and present recommendable solutions to the problem to a panel of judges," Rayi said.
He said the winners at district level progress to compete at provincial level and those winners go on to compete nationally against counterparts from eight other provinces.
"The winners of the national competition represent the country at the annual Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition where they compete against other learners from 35 countries across the globe in Sweden," said Rayi.