By OBAKENG MAJE
14 October 2025- Eight North West High School learners are among the 54, who were awarded tertiary bursaries at the Water and Sanitation Educational Programme (WSEP) National Adjudication Award Ceremony hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) on 6 October 2025, in Benoni, Gauteng.
The WSEP is the DWS’s educational programme, which is aimed at educating schools and communities about water use efficiency, management of toilet facilities, protection of water resources, health and hygiene for a healthy life and water safety.
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said it engages learners and educators in various educational projects such as Aqua Enduro, Public Speaking for high schools and Baswa-le-Meetse for primary schools. Mavasa said Aqua Enduro competition addresses shortage in the scientific and engineering disciplines within the water sector, targeting secondary school learners in Grade 10-11 studying mathematics and physical science.
“The competition aims to raise awareness about the importance of water quality. The competition is categorized into technical, posters and Aqualibrium assessments. Through hands-on projects and practical activities, learners and educators work together to investigate real-life water and sanitation challenges in their schools and communities, brainstorm innovative solutions and put their ideas into action.
“Public Speaking competition targets Grade 10-11 learners who are studying maths and science. The project is conducted in a debate format and it aims to change the mindset, attitude, and behaviour of South Africans in water and sanitation use efficiency,” she said.
Mavasa further said Baswa-le-Meetse which targets Grade 4-7 primary school learners who initiates water and sanitation projects using creativity to artistically sensitise their school communities through different art forms such as music, drama, poetry, praise poetry and posters. She added that the project should focus on any of the DWS themes of; water use efficiency, access to water, water quality, sustainable practices, greening, and health and hygiene.
“The North West Province was represented by eleven schools including 37 learners and educators who participated in the week-long WSEP national competitions. Six learners participated in the Public Speaking competition, and another 6 in Aqua Enduro while 25 learners in Baswa le Meetse competition.
“Schools representing the province in Public Speaking and Aqua Enduro included Thuto-Tsebo Secondary School in Orkney, Matlosana, Ramotshere Technical High school in Dinokana, ZM Seatlholo High School in Lotlhakane and Living Faith Independent Combined School and Golfview High School, both in Mahikeng, Tigerkloof High School in Vryburg and Pinagare High School in Taung,” said Mavasa.
She said primary schools that participated in Baswa-le-Metse are Boikhutsong Primary in Ventersdorp, Kamogelo Primary in Migdol near Schweizer-Reneke, Maiketso Primary School in Morokweng, as well as Modimokwane Primary in Mathibestad. Mavasa said two learners in Public Speaking competitions, Warona Kuntwane from Tigerkloof High School and Loane Monnanorwa from Pinagare High School, were among those awarded with tertiary bursaries and certificates.
“The Aqua Enduro North West team consisting of six learners, came third in the National Adjudications and they received tertiary bursaries, a trophy and certificates. The learners are Lwandle Nhlengethwa from Golfview High School in Mahikeng.
“This includes Warona Mahoko from Living Faith Independent Combined School in Mmabatho, Neo Sebekedi from Tigerkloof High School in Vryburg, Oarabile Tlhaole, also from Tigerkloof High School and Tlhalefo Sempe from Pinagare High School in Taung,” she said.
Mavasa said other participants are Lethabo Maoba from Ramotshere Technical High School in Dinokana and Kananelo Vilakazi from Thuto-Tsebo Secondary School in Orkney. She said moreover, a special award was given to Lethabo Maoba from Ramotshere Technical High School, who also received a laptop for being the overall top achiever in the 2025 Aqua Enduro competition.
“He was followed by Lwandle Nhlengethwa, from Golfview high school, also in the North West province, for being the second top overall achiever in the 2025 Aqua Enduro competitions.
“Bursary recipients of the Public Speaking and Aqua Enduro competitions will study water-related studies at universities of their choice and join the water sector. For Baswa le Meetse competitions two of the four primary schools walk away with cash prizes worth R30 000 on behalf of their schools,” said Mavasa.
She said Kamogelo Primary School in Migdol performed exceptionally scooped first position in the poetry category. Mavasa said the school received a cash prize of R20 000, while Maiketso Primary School in Morokweng also represented the province in the poster category and came third with a cash prize of R10 000.
The Guardian 