06/08/2026
💧 Introducing Mayine Water Champions
Every day, young people make decisions that affect the future of our water. But the question is: are we giving them the knowledge, confidence, and opportunity to make the right ones?
That is why the Unity Water Foundation, in partnership with Makhubalo Ikaneng (Makhubalo the Storyteller), has launched the Mayine Water Champions program.
Using the powerful story of Mayine: The Rain Queen, written by Makhubalo, the program helps children understand where water comes from, why it matters, what threatens it, and how each of us has a role to play in protecting it.
Recognising that children learn differently at different ages, the program has been developed in two formats.
For younger learners, from Grade R to Grade 5, the focus is on engagement, participation, and discovery. Through storytelling and interactive activities, children learn about water conservation, recycling, preventing litter from entering rivers and streams, and how to become responsible guardians of water at home, at school, and in their communities.
For older learners, the program takes a more practical and action-oriented approach. Learners are encouraged to identify local water resources, map water-related challenges in their communities, and use critical thinking to develop realistic action plans that they can implement themselves. Rather than simply learning about problems, they are challenged to become part of the solution.
This program goes beyond awareness because we want young people to leave inspired AND equipped to take action.
After all, the future of our rivers, streams, wetlands, and water sources will one day rest in their hands.
It simply boils down to this: if we want future generations to value water, we need to start by helping them understand its story.
