Gauteng High Schools Invited to Join South African Youth Water Prize Competition

The SAYWP competition is a key component of the department's education program, aiming to educate learners and society about various water resource management issues.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in Gauteng is inviting local high schools to participate in the South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) competition. This announcement was made during a recent District Eskom Expo held at the Johannesburg Sci-Bono Discovery Centre.

The SAYWP competition is a key component of the department's education program, aiming to educate learners and society about various water resource management issues. These include water use efficiency, water quality monitoring, protection of water resources, public health and hygiene awareness, and the identification of invasive species. Targeting Grades 9, 10, and 11, the competition encourages students with innovative ideas to address water and sanitation challenges in their communities.

The competition progresses from the provincial level to the national level, and ultimately to the global stage in Stockholm, Sweden.

Mphothulo Eulicia from the DWS Gauteng regional office emphasized the competition's role in empowering youth to become future leaders in water resource management. “By encouraging innovation and creativity, the department is nurturing a new generation of problem solvers who can help create a sustainable water future for South Africa,” Eulicia stated.

At the District Eskom Expo, the department presented the SAYWP to mobilize schools for the 2025 adjudications and encouraged early preparations. Despite high competition, only five out of the eleven schools present were recognized for the 2025 SAYWP, highlighting the importance of immediate project planning.

Eulicia stressed the potential life-changing impact of participating in the SAYWP. “The prizes awarded to winners are substantial, including bursaries, laptops, trophies, and cash prizes. These can serve as a stepping stone for youth towards a brighter future,” she said. Students participating in these competitions not only showcase their innovative solutions but also stand a chance to win valuable prizes that can positively influence their educational and career paths.

This year, a Grade 10 learner from Greenside High School in Johannesburg earned the top spot in the provincial leg of the SAYWP competition with an innovative water resource management project, winning R6000, a first-place trophy, and a bursary. Good Hope Secondary School won second place with an awareness project, earning R5000 and a second-place trophy, while Greenside Secondary School took third place with another awareness project, winning R4000.

Interested schools can find more information at DWS SAYWP or contact Reshoketswe Malepe at MalepeM@dws.gov.za or 083 8643 493.