A Grade 11 learner from Mpumalanga has made history after winning the 2026 South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP), earning the honour of representing South Africa at the prestigious Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Sweden later this year.
Sinenhlanhla Sikhulile Nkosi, a learner at Sintintile Secondary School in Kanyamazane, Mbombela, was crowned the overall winner during the 27th SAYWP national finals held on 29 May 2026 at the Protea Hotel OR Tambo in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. His victory marks a historic first for Mpumalanga, making him the province’s first-ever national winner of the competition and highlighting the growing impact of youth innovation in science and environmental sustainability.
Hosted annually by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the South African Youth Water Prize encourages learners in Grades 9 to 11 to identify water-related challenges within their communities and develop innovative solutions that promote water security and environmental protection. Nkosi impressed judges with his pioneering project, “The Sentinel Barrier,” an engineered silicone-based elastomeric coating designed for the inner surfaces of PET plastic bottles.
The innovation aims to prevent microplastic release and chemical leaching into drinking water, addressing one of the world’s most pressing environmental and public health concerns. As the national champion, Nkosi will now represent South Africa at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Sweden in August 2026, where he will compete against some of the brightest young innovators from more than 30 countries.
Expressing his excitement, Nkosi said the achievement was more than a personal victory.“Winning still feels hard to believe. I am excited to share my invention with the world. Taking a solution developed in Kanyamazane to a global platform demonstrates that innovation does not always require extensive resources or large institutions, only a problem to solve and the determination to address it,” he said. The aspiring innovator plans to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering after completing matric, with a focus on developing technologies that improve water quality and combat microplastic contamination.
Nkosi also encouraged fellow learners to continue pursuing innovation regardless of competition outcomes, emphasizing that every project contributes to learning, growth, and future success. The Department of Water and Sanitation congratulated Nkosi on his outstanding achievement and commended the role played by teachers, mentors, and schools in nurturing young talent.
The department further reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening water education and expanding opportunities for youth participation in the water sector.Nkosi’s achievement stands as a proud moment for Mpumalanga and serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role young innovators play in developing sustainable solutions for South Africa and the world