Africa is a water scarce continent which is faced with a challenge of increased water demand due to developmental needs whilst amount of water remains the same. If our water resources are not well managed, protected, conserved and developed in a sustainable manner, we will have a water crisis. Water and environment are catalysts for social, economic growth and development. ”Without Water there will be no life,” there will be no development; there will be manifestation of poverty. We will not be able to address issues of food security, health and economic growth. Hunger and disease will be the order of the day. This will result in not achieving our Millennium Development Goals. Currently we are faced with major challenges such as water wastage through leaks, daily activities that don’t take water conservation into consideration, such as watering our gardens in the middle of the day and washing cars with hosepipes, pollute rivers, poor water quality, which is a health hazard, etc.

Given the above-mentioned challenges, the Department has made a call for partnership with communities to participate actively in water resources management. Thus, the implementation of various public education programmes aimed at educating the young people and communities about integrated water resources management.

The preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 106 of 1996) commits all to a deliberate programme of improving the quality of life of all citizens and to free the potential of each person. To the effect of realizing this constitutional commitment, the Departments of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is implementing a water and sanitation education programme called the Water and Sanitation Education Programme (WSEP), formerly known as 2020 Vision for Water and Sanitation Education Programme (2020 VfWSEP), which was initiated in 1996, to unlock the potential of learners across the South African schooling system and its community stakeholders. The Programme is aimed at educating learners and communities about water use efficiency, management of toilet facilities, protection of water resources, health and hygiene for a healthy life, and water safety. It engages learners and educators in various educational projects. The Programme hopes to instil values of water resources management and also to promote careers in the water sector in order to address the scarce skills challenge. Learners are the best educators, and they can change the mindset of their families and entire community.
The WSEP gives exposure to grade R – 11 learners to be able to identify water and sanitation challenges in their schools and communities and develop inventions to address them.

WSEP Projects

1. Aqua Enduro (AE)
2. Baswa Le Meetse (BLM)
3. Career Promotion (CP)
4. Celebration of Special Days (CSD)
5. Curriculum Support (CS)
6. Intervention Project (IP)
7. Public Speaking (PS)

The objectives of the Programmes are:

• To create awareness about integrated water resources management, sanitation, and water services through schools.
• To empower educators and learners to enable them to implement water and sanitation innovations.
• Promote careers in the water sector.
• To infuse water and sanitation education into the curriculum.
• To promote behavioural change after the implementation of the action projects.
• To enhance collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the water sector.
• To encourage schools to have sustainable water and sanitation projects.

National Adjudication (NA)

The National Adjudication is one of the main events of the WSEP and its activities are largely centred on the adjudication of each project that has a competitive element. The Minister or Deputy Minister officially opens the event as a keynote speaker. It is an event packed with various activities that takes place during the 2nd Term school holidays. During the event, the learners and educators get an opportunity to attend presentations conducted by various stakeholders, educational excursions, and projects adjudication themselves. The projects that are adjudicated are Aqua Enduro, Baswa Le Meetse and Public Speaking. This event brings on board the relevant stakeholders that make commitments for its success.

National Awards Ceremony

After the National Adjudication, the Minister or Deputy Minister hosts an Awards Ceremony, with bursaries, laptops, prize money, certificates, and trophies being awarded as prizes to the winning schools and learners. The bursars are encouraged to study towards the water and sanitation-related careers, whilst the prize money is used by schools to procure water and sanitation-related needs for the sustainability of their projects.

Achievements and Highlights of the Programme

• More than 3500 schools were mobilised and supported since the inception of the Programme.
• More than 800 learners have been awarded bursaries to pursue careers in the water and sanitation sector.
• A total of 55 media classrooms were awarded through a partnership with MTN Foundation.
• In 2015 the Programme was recognised by the United Nations for its achievement and was awarded the “Water for Life Best Practice” award.
• An Impact Assessment Study of the Programme was conducted in 2021 which has led to a successful review of the Water and Sanitation Education Programme.

Water and Sanitation Education Programme Documents (attachments to be forwarded)

1. 1Concept Document
2. Aqua Enduro Guideline
3. Aqua Enduro Brochure
4. Baswa Le Meetse Guideline
5. Baswa Le Meetse Brochure
6. Career Promotion Guideline
7. Celebration of Special Days Guideline
8. Curriculum Support Guideline
9. Intervention Project Guideline
10. Public Speaking Guideline
11. Public Speaking Brochure

Curriculum Support Learner Support Materials (please use the documents you already have)

1. Grade 1
2. Grade 2
3. Grade 3
4. Grade 4
5. Grade 5
6. Grade 6
7. Grade 7
8. Grade 8
9. Grade 9

Water and Sanitation Education Programme Winners:

Aqua Enduro
Baswa Le Meetse
Public Speaking
Intervention Project

National Office WSEP Officials Contact Details