Standing from left to right are Ms Khatshelo Mavhungu (mentor), Mbilwi Secondary School principal Mr Nnyambeni Lidzhade, Nnzumbululo Todani (holding the awards he won), Deputy Principal Mr Ronald Sikhitha and Mr Nkhangweleni Murovhi (English Departmental Head). Photo: Silas Nduvheni.
Mbilwi Learner Scoops Top Award in Water and Sanitation Competition
Nzumbululo Todani from Mbilwi Secondary School in Limpopo has walked away as the night’s biggest winner at the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Water and Sanitation Education Programme (WSEP).
Todani was awared a bursary, a laptop and tablet.
The function was held at the Anew Hotel & Convention Centre in Ekurhuleni on Thursday, 26 September.
The grade 12 pupil was part of the learners who received comprehensive bursaries from the Department of Water and Sanitation for their presentations in the Aqua Enduro category.
Aqua Enduro seeks to engage young people in mental and physical activities that test their intellectual capabilities and stamina while learning about water and having
fun.
The Department awarded comprehensive bursaries to 54 learners, while the Water Research Commission sponsored laptops and tablets by the Energy & Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA).
Learners who participated and won under Baswa Le Meetse (Youth in Water) won cash prizes ranging from R10 000 – R20 000.
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The Department’s Deputy Ministers, David Mahlobo and Sello Seitlholo, had the privilege to award learners from across the country these educational and lifechanging
awards.
Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, while giving his keynote address, emphasised the importance of investing in young people as an investment for the future.
“What we are doing here today is not a mistake. Apartheid stalwart Oliver Tambo once said any nation that does not take care of its youth, does not care for its future. What the government is doing through the Department’s programme is responding to Tambo’s call of taking care of young people,” Deputy Minister Mahlobo said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Sello Seitlholo congratulated the learners on the work done and encouraged them to think outside the box and to develop innovative and technological ways to conserve water.
“You have now been exposed to an area that some of your peers are not, take this experience back with you and encourage them to participate next year. I echo Deputy Mahlobo’s sentiments by adding that this opportunity has given you a chance to see beyond your limitations, so take it and create a very bright future for yourselves,” Seitlholo concluded.