The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Science Centre on the campus in Mahikeng, in collaboration with the Department of Water and Sanitation, hosted the provincial South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) competition on 25 May 2018.

The SAYWP competition is a science and technology-based project which aims to provide South African youth the opportunity to interact with their peers nationally and internationally to share knowledge and experience related to water and the environment.

The competition starts at provincial level, with the winners from each province then competing in the national competition. The national winner will then represent South Africa in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Sweden, where she/he will compete with other learners from 30 different countries.

The following schools took part in the North West province competition: Mmabatho High School, Sol Plaatje Secondary School, Setumo High School, Living Faith Combined School, Holy Family Secondary School, Mahikeng High School, Pitso Letlhogile Secondary School and St Paul Secondary School.

Thoriso Taukobong, Luyanda Dibe and Oratile Monnamme from the Living Faith Combined School scored first place with their water monitor invention. The school received R6 000 in prize money, and each learner also won a laptop and a bursary to study engineering or any other water-related courses.

The Holy Family Secondary School came second, receiving R5 000 prize money, and Pitso Letlhogile Secondary School ended in third position with R4 000 prize money

“I would like to congratulate all the schools that took part in this competition,” said Ms Lerato Molebatsi, manager of the NWU Science Centre. “We wish the learners from Living Faith Combined School and their educator good luck with their project.”

The winning team will represent the North West province on 1June at the national competition.

Thoriso Taukobong, Luyanda Dibe and Oratile Monnamme from the Living Faith Combined School are the winners of the South African Youth Water Prize competition.