Mpumalanga Province has emerged victorious at the 2026 South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) national competition held in Kempton Park, Gauteng, 29 May 2026, with a 17-year-old Sinenhlanhla Sikhulile Nkosi from Sintintile Secondary School in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, taking top honours and being crowned the national winner. The Grade 11 learner impressed adjudicators with an innovation project titled: Barrier coatings for reducing microplastic release and chemical leaching in plastic containers.

Through this achievement, the young innovator will go on to represent South Africa at the prestigious Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition in Sweden, in August.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), in partnership with Water Research Commission (WRC), successfully hosted the SAYWP annual national competition to continuously promote innovation, scientific research, and youth development among young scholars for the benefit of the water sector.
Learners from all nine provinces across South Africa who have won the SAYWP competition at regional level participated in the national competition.

The second place was awarded to Alissa Pillay from Star College Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, while the third place was awarded to Moegamat Panker and Rylee Joseph from Kimberley Technical High School, in the Northern Cape.

Speaking during the event, DWS Gauteng Provincial Head, Mr Justice Maluleke welcomed the learners and encouraged them to reflect on the important work being undertaken within the water sector. He welcomed their participation and input.

“I urge you to sharpen your minds while you are still in school and to fully embrace the learning experience and engagement opportunities presented through the competition”, he said.

Ms Nanga Breakfast, from the Directorate Water Use Efficiency, also encouraged learners to reach out to the department for support and guidance. She urged them to step out of their comfort zones and further encouraged them to carry themselves with pride and to remain confident in their innovative ideas and abilities.

The adjudication panel comprised of representatives from DWS, WRC, Nelson Mandela University, Rand Water, and Thungela Resources. In total, seven adjudicators evaluated the learners’ projects.

Learners presented their projects under two competition categories, namely the Awareness Category and the Innovation Category. The Awareness Category focused on research projects that identify water-related challenges, take action, and recommend practical solutions. The Innovation Category focused on research projects that identify water-related challenges and develop technical models or inventions aimed at addressing the identified problems.
All national finalists have received bursaries and laptops in recognition of their outstanding participation and commitment.

One of the adjudicators, Mr Mashila Phihlela, who previously participated in the South African Youth Water Prize competition and is now employed at DWS, shared words of encouragement with the finalists. He urged learners not to underestimate themselves and reminded them to remain hopeful about their future:

“I am somewhere in the future, and I look much better than I am looking now,” as he encouraged learners to think positively about themselves and their potential.

DWS congratulates all participants, adjudicators, educators, and regional coordinators who contributed towards the success of the competition and continues to encourage young people to pursue careers and innovations within the water and science sectors.