The recent finals of Aqualibrium, hosted by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), provided an exciting platform for students to immerse themselves in the world of water distribution and infrastructure.
Back (L–R): SAICE’s Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane with students Tshegofatso Golele, Divya Naidoo and Cheryl Lima Pérez from Eunice High School for Girls (second place); Fikile Mazibuko, Londiwe Sithole, and Yongama Tekete from Mpilisweni Secondary School (winners); Ntlantla Nkosi; Tumisho Moremedi and Dusty Marshall from Kimberley Boys’ High (third place) and SAICE’s Andrew Clothier. Front (L–R): SAICE’s Dlozi Mnisi, Rene Nsanzubuhoro, Memory Scheepers and Zweli Mahlangu. Supplied by SAICE
The Aqualibrium finals were held at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Johannesburg, in May. Student teams from various regions – including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Secunda, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Eswatini, Durban, Polokwane and Harrismith – took part.
Participants were tasked with designing, constructing and operating a model water distribution network.
Memory Scheepers, Project Manager: Special Projects at SAICE, said, “Participants confronted real-world engineering challenges, which not only enhanced their practical understanding but also underscored the vital importance of water conservation and smart infrastructure.”
The teams had to distribute 3ℓ of water equally into three smaller containers on three different points on a grid using two pipe diameters and connection pieces. They got two hours to plan, design and execute their solutions, which put their ingenuity and teamwork under pressure.
The 2024 Aqualibrium winners are Yongama Tekete, Fikile Mazibuko and Londiwe Sithole from Mpilisweni Secondary School in Johannesburg, with only nine penalty points. In second place were Cheryl Lima Pérez, Tshegofatso Golele and Divya Naidoo from Eunice High School for Girls in Bloemfontein, with 23 penalty points. They were followed by Ntlantla Nkosi, Dusty Marshall and Tumisho Moremedi from Kimberley Boys’ High in Kimberley, with 29 penalty points, in third place.
The winning teams received prize money.
Aqualibrium is supported by sponsors EW SETA, ENsync Engineers, MPAMOT, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and the SAICE Water Engineering Division. Their focus is to promote STEM education and they align with government efforts to encourage students to engage in science and technology.
Since its inception, Aqualibrium has been recognised for its contribution to science communication and STEM awareness. The initiative was a finalist in the National Science and Technology Forum Awards.
Source: SIACE
