Food for plants

‘I have always wanted to specialise in water, but I had not decided what exactly in water. The drought that Cape Town experienced became a lens through which I could view water. Initially I was interested in the management of water, but the idea of viewing urine as a resource pushed the boundaries; to say that waste streams such as urine can help solve the water issue and at the same time be useful as fertiliser, for example. That which drew me closer to the project was its nature. It is original and it encourages a change of mind-set for all of society.’

- Lerato Maduna

These are the words of Mwana Mwale, a master’s degree candidate at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town.

Mwale, the top student in UCT Civil Engineering Honours class 2019, is celebrating a second place win for her research thesis in the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) National Investigative Project (IP) Showdown.

Urine contains the nutrients required for plant growth. It comprises about 80% nitrogen, 70% potassium and 50% phosphorous. With these nutrients, fertiliser can be produced from the urine. The idea is that the fertiliser will be used to grow plants, hence, assist with food production. The more the supply, the less the cost for society.

As a young civil engineer, Mwale likes to keep an open mind about her career going forward.

‘A career for me will be one that is led by opportunities that have presented themselves and speak to the kind of impact I want to have within a certain area. To say I see myself as a civil engineer in the future, will be very limiting. The skills I acquire and the type of thinking I develop within the space I find myself in are the things I will carry forward in the journey of my career,’ she admits.

So, just what does it take to be the recipient of the SAICE award? We asked Mwale about her background and what drives her in her profession.