August 19, 2003
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
A JOHANNESBURG schoolgirl has dazzled the scientific world with her innovative ideas on saving water and helping people grow vegetables in the often dry and dusty land of the informal settlements.
Claire Reid, a grade 11 learner from Saint Teresa's Mercy School in Rosebank, was honoured at a sparkling ceremony in Sweden last week for her "real gardening" concept.
On her return to Johannesburg this week Reid explained that "real gardening" required a lot less water than normal gardening.
"I came up with the idea to help people, especially in less advantaged communities, grow their own food while at the same time saving water and saving money on fertilisers," Reid said.
Pre-fertilised seeds were sealed into long, narrow strips of newspaper. These strips were then placed into the ground, covered with soil and watered. "Each seed is at the right distance from the next seed and the strips ensure that the seeds are also placed at the right depth in the ground," she said.
The newspaper kept the seeds moist, so that less water was used in the growing process. "My method means that the seeds need less water, while the fertiliser and carbon from the paper make sure the seeds grow faster," Reid added.
Reid tried out her project with the help of people in the informal settlement of Diepsloot, in the north of Johannesburg. "The Rotary Ann's of Randburg helped to make this possible."
The charity body now plans to implement Reid's designs in other informal settlements around the country.
Since conducting her trials in Diepsloot, Reid has travelled along an exciting path on her way to the awards ceremony in Stockholm. Along the way she has been applauded by the Minister of Water Affairs, Ronnie Kasrils, and met Princess Victoria of Sweden.
The Ministry of Water Affairs and Forestry initiated a local competition among schoolchildren to create an awareness of the importance of water and promote water conservation.
Reid won the national competition, which included an R11 000 bursary to the University of Natal, and the chance to compete on the international stage for the much coveted International Junior Water Prize. Winning the international award has given Reid's future academic studies a further financial boost. In addition to a crystal sculpture, Reid was given a R37 000 scholarship to further her studies.
While in Sweden, Reid made some new friends. Heather Mspagel (19) invited her to visit the US in October, and Will Sanderson from the UK "is now a friend of mine".
Her mother, Grainne, believed her daughter deserved the international recognition because "of the effort and the time she spent on the project".
But, further academic research into other water projects is not on Reid's agenda. "I love art and want to be an architect."
And her first choice is local. "I really want to study at Wits University," she said.
Anyone who wants to help extend Reid's project to other settlements can contact Betty Agastori of the Randburg Rotary Ann's on 082 572 0140.
