The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) will be hosting its Aqua Enduro Competition from 28 March to 2 April 2016, in the hope of addressing the skills shortage in the water sector by empowering the youth.

This event is being going on for the eighth year and it is getting stronger according to the department.

The Aqua Enduro is an initiative which aims to innovatively and primarily address the skill shortage in the scientific and engineering disciplines within the water sector at grassroots level.

The competition is open to Grade 11 learners doing Mathematics and Physical Science, with the objective of enticing them to consider pursuing careers in the South African water sector.

Fifty four (54) learners are brought together to participate in the competition, where 20 deserving learners are awarded scholarships to study careers of their choice in Engineering or Scientific field.

During the entire week, learners will participate in a number of activities where the team and individuals learners are assessed by a panel of judges.

The department has partnered with South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE), to facilitate an activity called Aqualibrium which helps the participants learn about water conservation and demand management by designing a network in a form of a model supplying water to the community.

The objective of the design is to have systems that have very minimal water losses. With the country currently facing drought-it is vital to expose the learners to activities that will make them interested in the field of science and engineering in order for them to identify opportunities and exercise their innovative ways to bring solution to the sector.