The Association of Water and Sanitation Institutions of South Africa will host a Mascot Roadshow and Prize Handover Ceremony at Pulamadibogo Primary School in Limpopo Province to celebrate the winner of its national “Design the Water Hero of Africa” primary schools competition.

The competition formed part of the AWSISA 2025 Dialogue Programme, which ran between July and August 2025. The initiative invited primary school learners across South Africa to design a mascot that represents sustainable water and sanitation values while encouraging environmental responsibility and water conservation.

Following a national selection process, the winning entry was created by Molatela Modiba, a Grade 4 learner at Pulamadibogo Primary School. The winning mascot, named “Ma-Metsi,” symbolises resilience, the empowerment of women and girls in the water and sanitation sector, and the importance of responsible water stewardship and environmental protection.

The prize handover ceremony will take place during National Water Month in March 2026, aligning the celebration with broader efforts to promote water conservation awareness and environmental responsibility among young learners.

The programme will include the official presentation of the competition prizes to the winning learner, including a tablet, certificate, and gift bag, as well as engagement with learners and educators on the importance of protecting South Africa’s water resources.

AWSISA has invited the Chief Executive Officer of Lepelle Northern Water to attend the event and perform the official prize handover, as the school falls within the entity’s service area. Representatives from the Limpopo-Orange Catchment Management Agency have also been invited to attend in support of the initiative.

According to AWSISA Chairperson Mr Ramateu Monyokolo, initiatives such as the mascot competition play an important role in engaging young South Africans in conversations about sustainable water use and environmental stewardship.

“By involving young learners in creative initiatives like the Water Hero of Africa competition, we aim to inspire a new generation that understands the value of protecting our water resources and promoting responsible water use.”

The event is expected to strengthen collaboration between key institutions in the water sector while fostering greater awareness among learners about the importance of safeguarding South Africa’s precious water resources.

For further information about the initiative and AWSISA’s programmes, visit:
http://awsisa-watersan-dialogue.org/