Young ZA innovators head to Stockholm for global water prize competition

The SA Youth Water Prize finals (SAYWP) is the culmination of a year-long programme by Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and its network of regional coordinators, teachers and parents to seed, nurture and showcase innovation in water treatment and conservation by the young people of our country.

The programme plays out across the 9 provinces with provincial champions emerging as finalists for the national finals.

This year, with partners including the National Department of Science and Innovation, The University of Pretoria and Kusini water, GrowZA joined hands with Xylem Africa and the National Department of Water & Sanitation to host the finals in JHB on 27 May 2022.

After months of planning and stakeholder engagements the scene was set, the learners travelled to JHB and the Western Cape (Team Heatherlands High School in George) was crowned SAYWP champions.

The balance of the podium was occupied by the Northern Cape in 2nd and Eastern Cape rounding up the top three.

All finalists received a full bursary for their choice of academic pursuit in the water sciences with the Western Cape team crowned as the team designate to represent South Africa at the SJWP global event in Stockholm in August.

We are proud to have concluded our partnership with the department for the 2023 iteration of the prize with national roadshow dates being published soon.

Thank you to all partners for dedicated support to the shared mission to #GrowZA