A 17-year-old Grade 11 learner from Sintintile Secondary School, in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, took the top honours and was crowned the national winner of the 2026 South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP).

Sinenhlanhla Sikhulile Nkosi, impressing adjudicators with an innovative project titled ‘Barrier coatings for reducing microplastic release and chemical leaching in plastic containers’, will now 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 yearly national competition on May 29, in Kempton Park, 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 won the SAYWP competition at the 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.

The adjudication panel evaluating the learners’ projects comprised seven representatives from the DWS, the WRC, Nelson Mandela University, Rand Water and Thungela Resources.

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, while 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.

DWS Gauteng head Justice Maluleke welcomed the learners and encouraged them to reflect on the important work being undertaken within the water sector.

“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.

Water Use Efficiency Directorate’s Nanga Breakfast also encouraged learners to reach out to the department for support and guidance, and 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.

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

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