Wits welcomes young minds to solve Joburg's water crisis
- Wits University
Over 400 top-achieving Grade 11 learners from 57 schools gathered at Wits University for a high-impact case study challenge to solve Johannesburg's water crisis
For the eighth year, the Wits Integrated Experience (WIE), hosted by the Schools Liaison Office, immersed learners in real-world problem-solving under the theme Preventing Day Zero: Securing Johannesburg’s Water while introducing them to university life.
The fun-filled programme allows learners to partake in an integrated problem-solving exercise within the five disciplines of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, Humanities, Health Science, and Commerce, Law and Management.
Young minds, many visiting a university for the first time, were welcomed not just as guests but as future problem-solvers. Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi opened the day with a powerful message.
“This program is not just any other event. It’s an invitation to be here at the heart of one of Africa’s top universities. A university that has produced four Nobel prizes, some of the finest writers on this continent, and incredible scientists.”
His words echoed the purpose of the event, to ignite a sense of urgency, creativity, and leadership in a generation that will face the consequences of climate and water insecurity.
Schools Liaison Officer and event organiser Boikhutso Johnson explained that the participating schools were selected from a list of top feeder schools. Teachers from these schools were then asked to nominate five top-performing learners, each with a minimum average of 70%.
Learners were divided into groups and sent to all five faculties for various presentations. Thereafter, team-based problem-solving project work will be presented to a panel of “experts,” which will take place in July.
Fridah Maseko, a teacher from Edenglen High School, said the experience was an excellent way to engage and challenge her learners. “The WIE is very enlightening because it exposes learners to a variety of courses and helps expand their understanding. The case study was particularly stimulating, especially as we’re currently facing a water crisis — an issue young people need to be aware of.”
For Aaminah Suleman from Ridgeway Muslim School, the experience was both informative and inspiring.
“I’ve learned a lot of things that I wasn’t aware of. The experience was great, and the lecturers are so good. This place is inspiring,” said Suleman.
To celebrate their participation and hard work, learners will experience a graduation-style ceremony in part two, where they will be awarded certificates and gifts as a mark of achievement after their presentations.