Boksburg: The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will host its annual Water and Sanitation Education Programme (WSEP) in Boksburg, Gauteng. Set to be held from 5-11 October 2025, the programme is aimed at inspiring the next generation of leaders in the sector.
According to South African Government News Agency, the programme seeks to raise awareness among learners about water use efficiency, resource protection, health, hygiene, and the impact of invasive alien plants. Young minds are given the tools and encouragement to shape the future of this vital sector.
The WSEP also promotes careers in the water sector by transforming classrooms into hubs of water literacy, inspiring students to value every drop and become champions of wise water use. Through hands-on projects, the programme invites learners and educators to become problem-solvers, tackling real water and sanitation challenges in their schools and communities. They investigate issues, brainstorm creative solutions, and put their ideas into action.
The WSEP is implemented through several initiatives, including Baswa Le Meetse (Youth in Water), Aqua Enduro, public speaking, curriculum support, intervention projects, career promotion, and the celebration of special days. At the end of this dynamic week, outstanding learners will be rewarded with full study bursaries, opening doors to science and engineering careers in the world of water and sanitation.
Spokesperson at the department, Wisane Mavasa, said the programme has already produced young leaders making significant contributions in the sector. “Some of our previous winners have gone on to study for PhDs, travel to various parts of the globe, and participate in everything water and sanitation related. This programme is an opportunity for the disadvantaged to get a foot in the door and explore all possibilities,” Mavasa said. She added that the programme reminds both pupils and teachers that South Africa’s water is precious and every drop counts, empowering young leaders to safeguard the nation’s most essential resource.