Water-saving innovation wins Lesolang R1Million

23 September 2015

 

Ayoung man who found an innovative way to plug costly water leaks is the inaugural winner of the City of Johannesburg’s Green City Startup Challenge.

 

Twenty-six-year-old Paseka Lesolang, owner of the Water Hygiene Convenience Leakless Valve Company, walked away with a whopping R1-million first prize at a presentation ceremony in Milpark on Monday night 5 October.

 

Lesolang said he came up with the idea in 2006 while living with his grandmother.

 

“The idea was conceived in a toilet," said Lesolang matter-of-factly. I was minding my own business in my grandmother’s loo when, suddenly, I picked up that the toilet was leaking. Instead of complaining about it, I decided to find a solution. That is how the Water Hygiene Convenience Leakless Valve was born," says Lesolang.

 

Statistics show that South Africa loses R7-billion a year as a result of water leaks. In addition, according to the Department of Water and Sanitation and the World Health Organisation, South Africa's water consumption might exceed availability of supply by 2025 due to leaks.

 

The toilet is the single biggest water consumer in the household, consuming about 30% of a household entire usage. A leak could easily double that percentage.

 

“Fixing a water leak can save homeowners more than 10% on their water bills,” said Lesolang.

 

He said his leakless valve could prevent 70% of water loss in case of a leakage.

 

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development Councillor Ruby Mathang said the R5-million Green City Startup Challenge was aimed at unearthing green entrepreneurs whose ideas could help boost the City's green culture.

 

"The competition was started nine months ago when the City sought ideas that could change the world and accelerate innovation," MMC Mathang said.

 

He said the 86 proposals received were reduced to eight through a rigorous selection process.

 

“The eight finalists were each given R250 000 to build a prototype of their idea. They were also offered intensive technical support to improve their innovations and help them present their pitches,” MMC Mathang says.

 

He said the selection was overseen by a panel of judges, including an independent team of entrepreneurs and technical experts.

 

Sean Moolman walked away with the R500 000 second prize. His PowerOptimal initiative is in the field of energy management. The third prize went to both Yolandi Schoeman of AqueousSphere and Gabriel Ally, innovator of GezaJozi, an electrically assisted recycling tricycle.

They each won of R300 000.