Learners from Marobathota High School listen attentively during the launch of UL’s Water and Sanitation Ambassadors Programme, which aims to inspire careers in the water sector. Photos: Linah Raphela
By Jeanette Makhura – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
In the rural heart of Limpopo, where water scarcity is a daily challenge, the University of Limpopo (UL) is reshaping the future of water security with its Bachelor of Science in Water and Sanitation Sciences, a qualification that is transforming lives and empowering communities
At the launch of the Water and Sanitation Ambassadors Programme, held at Marobathota High School in the Capricorn District, UL introduced an initiative designed to inspire young people to pursue careers in the water and sanitation sector.
The Water and Sanitation Ambassadors Programme inspires learners to see themselves as future stewards of South Africa’s most precious resource. It aims to unlock potential in overlooked communities, offering a pathway for learners to become engineers, scientists, and public servants committed to ensuring universal access to clean water and safe sanitation.
Professor Mabel Mphahlele-Makgwane, Head of the Department of Water and Sanitation at UL, delivers an address at the launch of the Water and Sanitation Ambassadors Programme.
In her keynote address, Professor Mabel Mphahlele-Makgwane, Head of UL’s Department of Water and Sanitation, stated, “Dignity begins with clean water, education, and purpose.” She urged learners to enroll in the fully funded BSc in Water and Sanitation, offered in partnership with EWSETA and industry stakeholders.
Sidney Morethe – Human Resources Development Practitioner urges learners to apply for the Department of Water and Sanitation bursary, which fully funds studies.
Sidney Morethe, Human Resources Development Practitioner from the Regional Department of Water and Sanitation, highlighted the department’s bursary scheme, which covers tuition, meals, accommodation, and textbooks, along with job placement opportunities. “You matter,” he told the learners. “This bursary is more than financial support, it’s a bridge from poverty to purpose. Apply and use it to pursue this life-changing qualification.”
Lebogang Sebola, Scientific Services Manager at Lepelle Northern Water, encourages learners to pursue STEM careers, highlighting their potential to drive economic impact.
Lebogang Sebola, Scientific Services Manager at Lepelle Northern Water, encouraged learners to explore careers in STEM, detailing internship pathways in engineering, chemistry, environmental science, and finance. “You are not just future professionals, but guardians of South Africa’s economic lifeline,” she asserted .
Ntombikayise Mtshali, Water Specialist at EWSETA says the organisation is ready to guide learners in pursuing careers in water and sanitation.
Ntombikayise Mtshali, Water Specialist at EWSETA, echoed the call to action, reminding learners that their journey can begin with either university or TVET training. “We will support you by guiding, funding, and helping you to secure meaningful careers,” she said.
Ditiro Mafane, a master’s student at UL and an international scholar in France, shared how her experiences growing up without clean water influenced her academic path. “I couldn’t change the past,” she reflected, “but I realised I could study water and change the future for someone else.”
Former UL Water and Sanitation student, Mahlatse Malemela, now a Quality Assurance Technologist at Coca-Cola, discovered her purpose in Water and Sanitation after a detour from her original study plans. “Discipline is key,” she advised. “Your degree opens doors, but your priorities shape your future.”
Simon Makgatholela, a representative of the school’s governing body, concluded the event with heartfelt encouragement. “Take this moment seriously. What you’ve heard today could shape the rest of your life.”