The Northern Cape Provincial Department of Basic Education and the Department of Water and Sanitation recently honored two learners from Emang Mmogo Comprehensive School in Kimberley. Kelebogile Abrahams and Mahlohonolo Mosia, both 14, represented South Africa at the Stockholm World Water Week from 20 to 24 August 2023. The event aimed to inspire young people to develop innovative ideas for water conservation and security to make a difference in their communities.
Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition
Abrahams and Mosia participated in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition along with young talents from 30 countries worldwide. This competition provides a platform for participants to present their best water-saving innovations for implementation in their respective countries.
The two teenagers developed an ingenious project to reduce water leaks and promote water conservation in their school and local communities. Their creation, called the Water Police Project, earned them victory in the South African Youth Water Prize competition in May 2023. This achievement led to their participation in the Stockholm event, where they showcased their project’s potential for widespread implementation.
South African Youth Water Prize Competition
The Department of Water and Sanitation launched the South African Youth Water Prize competition, encouraging secondary and high school learners to identify water problems in their communities and devise innovative, technology-based solutions to address them. The competition proceeds from the district level to the national level, with winners proceeding to Sweden for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition.
Learners who do not make it to the international competition receive comprehensive bursaries from the Department to further their studies in the water and sanitation field. Mosia aims to study science and engineering in the future, while Abrahams is interested in water-related fields and hopes to pursue higher education up to the PhD level.
Pledges to Inspire Young Minds
The Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Basic Education have pledged to continue working together to inspire young minds to develop an interest in the sector. By fostering this engagement, they hope to generate the much-needed solutions to address water challenges in South Africa and beyond.
Impact of the Water Police Project
As Abrahams and Mosia make their mark on the global stage, their innovative Water Police Project has the potential to impact not only Kimberley but also communities across South Africa. The future looks bright for these talented teenagers, who continue to fly the South African flag with pride at prestigious international events such as the Stockholm World Water Week.
