Minister Senzo Mchunu catches up with Drop-Saver teenage co-inventor Unam Halam

Drop Saver teenage co-inventor catches up with Minister Mchunu

The Drop Saver co-inventor, Unam Halam, a vivacious 16-year-old learner from Heatherlands High School in George had Minister Senzo Mchunu eating at the palm of her hand at a breakfast meeting hosted by Minister on Tuesday morning, 30 August.

Halam ardently shared her views about the water scarcity situation affecting different parts of the country and offered her well thought proposed solutions.

The breakfast took place on the side-lines of World Water Week currently taking place in Sweden, where Halam is participating in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition which has seen students aged between 15 and 20 presenting innovations focused on water-based solutions.

The Drop Saver is a device that can be attached to a tap and help prevent water leaks, and thereby help save water in communities. She invented it with her close friend and classmate, Faith Classen.

“The Western Cape province experienced the worst recorded drought in history between 2016-2018. This period reminded us that water is a precious commodity and in order to ensure the long-term water availability and supply, we have to start making water wise changes now,” said Halam during a discussion with Minister Mchunu.

She added that she was encouraged to make small changes as part of her contribution to water conservation at her school and community.

“A simple thing like closing a tap of water while brushing your teeth really goes a long, which is something learners at our school really battle with. We have seen how many learners drink water from the tap and just walk away without closing it, expecting the next person to do it. This led to hundreds of litres of water being wasted every single day from one leaking tap. This is how the Drop Saver device was invented,” she said.

Halam said her childhood dream was to become an attorney or an engineer. “I ended up falling in love with engineering once I started doing technology at school and helping my father fix and create things at home, that’s when I knew I wanted to go into the engineering field,” Halam said.

Expressing her aspirations for the invention, Halam said that she hopes it will be implemented in neighbouring schools and across the country.

“I would love to see the Drop Saver implemented nationwide and used on a daily basis. I would love for it to first be implemented around schools in my community then in different communities around my town and provinces,” she said.

Speaking frankly, Halam said she would want to be part of the implementation of the invention and see it bear fruit.

“This project is very dear to my heart I want to be a part of its growth and continue to education people on the importance of water saving,” she said.

“By virtue of you making it this far, you are a winner to me. I am very impressed with the invention and happy that you do not want it to gather dust without being implemented. You have my full support, that I can assure you,” said Minister Mchunu.

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize winner will be announced on Tuesday, 30 August at the Norra Latin Hall in Stockholm. Minister Mchunu and Director-General, Dr Sean Phillips will attend the ceremony and have wished Halam well.

Photos by Blake Linder, Knysna-Plett Herald Journalist

Source: Government of South Africa