Learners showcase winning device

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Western Cape Head of Water and Sanitation Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa and guests visited Heatherlands High on Friday 10 June to see a demonstration of learners Faith Claasen and Unam Halam's prize-winning water-saving device.

The girls won the South African Youth Water Prize with their clever gadget and will now represent South Africa at the international Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition to be held in Sweden at the end of August, where youngsters from 30 countries will be represented.

The demo is not allowed to be broadcast until after the competition.

The girls' parents and media were invited to see the device, which was designed to automatically turn off the water flow from a running tap.

Unam told George Herald that the develop-ment of the device was quite challenging and it took them about four months to bring ideas together, and then test and retest.

"The idea of going to Stockholm has not sunk in yet, but, Stockholm here we come! I'm very thankful for the bursary from the department and for them giving us such opportunities. It will help my parents a lot in the future."

Faith explained more about the compo-nents of their device that are simple and durable, made of PVC. "They are very cheap and easy to replace," she said. The girls would like to implement their device at other schools, therefore it has to be affordable.

The prospect of going to Stockholm has left Faith with a euphoric feeling. "I'm just happy that I got to take part in all of this and met so many wonderful people with such wisdom on the water front. I hope this device can make a difference," she said.

The girls' physics teacher, Marissa Murphy, who will accompany them to Stockholm, said they got the idea of a water-saving gadget because of a leaking tap on the school grounds.

Children drink from the tap and some leave it running for the next person. "We've lost a lot of water in this way. I'm very proud and we are so excited to go to Stockholm at the end of August."

Unam and her parents, Khunjuzwa and Mzwanele Halam.

Reason to smile after difficult time for Faith

Faith's mother, Nyleen Claasen, told George Herald that her daughter has been through a very difficult time during the past year and a half. "She lost her father and grandmother to Covid within six months of each other. They both played a big role in Faith's life.

But through it all she has amazed me in how she concentrated all her energy on her school work. This win is the first opportunity for us as a family to smile again. Faith is a go-getter and we have realised from a young age that she is special.

She is like a walking encyclopaedia with a wide range of general knowledge. She shared this with her dad, William Winston-Lee. He had so many dreams for her. He and her grandmother would have been so proud of her."

Faith and her mother, Nyleen Claasen.

Adversity turns to hope for Unam

Speaking to George Herald, Unam's father, Mzwanele Halam, said he is very proud of his only daughter. According to her mother, Khunjuzwa, Unam loves school and is a diligent learner. "She has self-confidence and if she wants something, she goes for it. She has big dreams and also a lot of faith in God."

She had been a Glenwood House pupil since primary school, but due to the negative economic impact of the Covid lockdown, the family could not afford private school fees any longer.

Having to move to a public school broke Unam's heart and it was very hard for her. "Today we realise that if she had not been here at Heatherlands High, she would not have had this opportunity. We are so grateful and happy for her. I would like to tell parents out there to encourage their children to dream big. And do not think that God is not on your side when adversity strikes," said Khunjuzwa.

The head and other officials of the Western Cape Water and Sanitation Department were at Heatherlands High to congratulate the two national winners of the Youth Water Prize. Front, from left are: Mzwanele and Khunjuzwa Halam and their daughter Unam, and Faith Claasen and her mother Nyleen.
Back: Malusi Rayi (DWS Deputy Director of Communications), Zolile Simawo (DWS Deputy Director of Capability Support), Marissa Murphy (Heatherlands High physics teacher), principal Salomo Moses, DWS Head of Department Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, and Mr Claasen (uncle of Faith Claasen). Photos: Alida de Beer