KAALFONTEIN PUPILS TAKE ON SEWAGE CRISIS

By KOPANO MONAHENG

THEY are just two months away from sitting for their Grade 11 final examinations.

But while many pupils their age are already thinking about matric next year, university applications and what careers they want to pursue after school, these young minds from Kaalfontein Secondary School are thinking much bigger.

They are thinking business. And they are thinking about how technology can be used to solve one of the most frustrating problems facing their community — sewage spilling into the streets.

Instead of simply complaining about the filthy water, unbearable smell and health risks, these pupils have decided to find a solution. Their idea is exactly the kind of innovative thinking being encouraged by initiatives such as the TCS Sustainathon South Africa 2026, whose theme this year is “AI for Sustainable Futures” and challenges young people to develop technology-driven solutions to real-world problems.

The pupils have entered business competitions to gain valuable knowledge about entrepreneurship, innovation and what it takes to turn an idea into a viable business.

Their science teacher, Lithemba Khumalo, has been walking the journey with them, while the school has continued to rally behind the young innovators every time they step into a business competition.

Khumalo said the pupils have access to advice and support from their parents, the school and everyone who believes in what they are trying to achieve.

For the pupils, however, this is about more than winning a competition. It is about solving a problem they see every day in their own neighbourhood.

Presenting the group’s idea, Mahlodi Madiha, alongside teammates Robie Siero, Rironda Khoza and Nqobile Baloyi, said they had become tired of seeing sewage flowing through their streets.

“We are tired of the smell, the flies and getting sick because of leaking pipes in our neighbourhoods.

“Sewage in our streets is not just disgusting; it is dangerous. It makes our communities unsafe and spreads diseases.”

The pupils realised that while residents often see sewage problems, many do not know how to properly report them to the municipality — creating a gap between communities and those responsible for fixing the problems.

“With that being said, we noticed a gap between the municipality and the community, and we built a bridge,” Madiha said.

That vision gave birth to their proposed solution, F-Switch Solutions — an app designed to make reporting sewage problems quicker, easier and more transparent.

Madiha explained that using the app would require only a few simple steps.

“See it, snap it, take a photo of the blocked drain or overflow, and pin it.

“The app shares your location automatically, so there is no need to explain where you live. No more calling, being put on hold or being ignored. Just three clicks and it’s done.”

While their classmates are preparing for their final examinations, these young innovators are preparing for something else too — a future in which they hope to become entrepreneurs, use technology to solve real problems and, most importantly, change their community for the better.