Participation in the international Stockholm Junior Water Prize is the ultimate goal for the bright Retshidisitswe Mazakaza, a learner of the Tsoseletso High School in Bloemfontein.
He will represent the Free State at the national final of this year’s South Africa Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) competition.
Retshidisitswe presented his project alongside others at the provincial leg of the competition, held on 10 March at Bains Lodge in Bloemfontein.
This project, Drainage System Cleaner, seeks to address the management of flooding that is caused by blocked and dysfunctional drainage systems. Drainage systems become dysfunctional due to pollution and also as a direct result of neglected maintenance.
Challenges relating to the management of floods are often experienced during heavy rains, causing devastation to residents.
The panel of adjudicators picked Retshidisitswe’s project as the best due to its relevance.
Elisha Thato, Gaobuse Nnete and Naledi Ndara of the Diamanthoogte Combined School in Koffiefontein were acknowledged in second place, while Mphirime Bonolo and Nkopane Limpho of the Beacon Secondary School in Qwaqwa came third.
“It was an awesome experience presenting to a team of judges who analysed each and every process, and asked questions pertinent to the project,” said Retshidisitswe after he was announced as the winner.
“With implementation of my project, the challenge of blocked drainage systems during heavy rains, which face commuters on the notorious Dr Belcher Road, could be a thing of the past.”
Retshidisitswe will compete against other provincial winners later this year, with the winner thereof representing South Africa at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition in Sweden in August.
The SAYWP encourages Gr. 9 to Gr. 11 learners to develop projects that can solve major water challenges. It is a Department of Water and Sanitation initiative, striving to inspire learners to study mathematics and science.
It also aims at educating learners about the importance of water, saving water, the protection of water sources, and the efficient use of water.
Retshidisitswe mentioned he was interested in studying engineering to help solve technical challenges.
