Limpopo to represent South Africa in Stockholm Junior Water Prize again in 2015
The Department of Water and Sanitation ended the celebration of Youth Month by hosting the Water and Sanitation Youth Summit at Birchwood, Boksburg from the 29 June to 2 July 2015. The week long activity concluded with a razzmatazz award ceremony where Limpopo was officially crowned the winners of 2015 South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) by Deputy Minister Pamela Tshwete.
Learners from the dusty street of Shikwambane village Mhlaba Cross) in Mopani District schooling at Mitlhari High School, namely Edgar Nukeri, Hlengi Makumbeni and Camilla Mashele were inspired by the continuous water pipe bursts in their village and put together a water conservation project. This project, if implemented, can help Mopani District Municipality as the Water Service Authority with distribution of equal amounts of water per household and also help to fix water leaks, thus minimizing the current amount of water loss.
These outspoken learners by winning the SAYWP are now entitled to bursaries from the Department of Water and Sanitation for careers in the water sector, R15 000 towards tertiary education at the university of their choice, a ticket to Stockholm, Sweden to participate in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, subsistence allowance of R2 000, a cash price of R8 000 and a laptop.
Speaking to the three learners after they were crowned the winners of (SAYWP) by Deputy Minister Pamela Tshwete was a bit cumbersome because they were excited; they had become celebrities celebrated by the young and the elderly.
“I am happy and excited and want to tell the whole world. At the same time I want to thank my parents, Freeman Nkwinika and teacher Mathe”, said Edgar Nukeri.
Hlengi Makumbeni and Camilla Mashele only wanted to thank the family, teachers, school principal, fellow learners for their support and prayers.
About youth involvement in the water and sanitation business, they spoke unanimously that they dedicate their project to the youth of South Africa.
“We want to encourage the youth to emulate us and come up with other methods of saving water because water does not have a substitute. They should not be afraid of hard work because at the end it pays. The youth should join this competition and help the Department of Water and Sanitation to solve water challenges in the country”.
Like with any other project, commencement comes with challenges that only the serious minded person can overcome. Their challenges include of four cell phones and network connection were just a few, but that did not stop them; instead they worked even after school classes and their teacher, Ms. Mathe, would buy them food because she knew that an empty stomach does not produce a king.
Edgar Nukeri said now that they are preparing to go to Stockholm their project needs to be modified.
“We would be very happy if a Good Samaritan can help us with new cell phones and other tools to make our project outshine other countries’ projects”.
After the awards Deputy Minister concluded the day by encouraging the youth not to give up. “We are all winners just by reaching this level, if you did not win, next time you will do better” she said.
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