Schools from the Free State achieved top places with their innovations at this year’s national Water and Sanitation Summit.
The event was held in Boksburg on 25 and 26 June.
Schools participated in three categories: Invention Projects, Public Speaking and Baswa le Meetse competitions.
Baswa le Meetse is an initiative of the Department of Water and Sanitation and part of the 2020 Vision for Water Education Programme, which is aimed at galvanising primary school leaners into actively participating in water conservation programmes.
The participating learners showcased their innovations in presentations of drama, music, poetry, praise poetry and posters, conveying messages to save water.
Schools from the Free State did exceptionally well, receiving first position in three categories: praise poetry, posters and drama. The province also boasts third place in two categories: poetry and public speaking.
The Sebabatso Primary School in Botshabelo attained first position in both the praise poetry and poster category, while the Boikemisetso Primary School in Kroonstad achieved a first place in drama.
The Matswathaka Intermediate School in Bethlehem and the Dr Reginald Cinqo Secondary School in Kroonstad obtained third places, in poetry and public speaking, respectively.
First-place winners received prizes of R20 000, while second place earned R15 000 and third place received R10 000.
Three learners, Amohelang Marks, Cindy Phajane and Portia Mutsi of the Dr Reginald Cinqo Secondary School in Kroonstad, received bursaries for achieving a third place in the public speaking category of the competition.
Joice Leoka, a teacher of the St Mary’s Primary School in Bloemfontein, went home with a R30 000 second prize for an intervention project.
Incepted in 2003 and held annually, the programme seeks to educate learners about water in the country, to effect a positive attitude and behavioural change in all South Africans regarding the value of water.