ONE of the underlying reasons for the success of the Smart Young Mindz Challenge is its almost uncanny ability to inspire young people in many directions.
This bold nation-building project of Blue IQ, the Gauteng Education and Economic Development departments and Sowetan encourages pupils in Grades 8, 9 and 10 in all of the province's public schools to fathom mathematical, engineering, scientific and technical solutions to pressing social, economic and environmental needs.
Assisted by their subject teachers and supervised by senior circuit and district officials, their answers - in the form of big and or small "projects" - are displayed in a fair-like setting each November, and the top three winning schools share in about R100,000 in prizes. The young representatives qualify to join an exclusive alumni, who are nurtured further, up to higher education level.
Take Ntombi Mbele, whom we learn more about in this Q&A session:
Question: Which year did you enter SYM and how did your team perform?
Answer: We came second in 2007.
Q: Name of high school?
A: Sunwardpark High School.
Q: What are you studying at UJ?
A:Economics and econometrics.
Q: What encouraged your choice of study?
A: I have always loved the study of economics and never saw myself studying anything other than that. And I knew that it is only through economics that I would gain a prospective approach to the world I live in.
Q: What do you hope to achieve with your studies?
A: To become the first female African to head up the International Monetary Fund. But for now, working at the JSE or being a chief economist for any reputable organisation will do.
Q: What are your other team mates doing at the moment?
A: Wandile Dlamini is studying actuarial sciences at UCT. Lethabo Kekena is studying computer sciences at the University of Pretoria, and Sasha Zimmerman is studying accountancy at Wits.
Q: What has being part of the SYM Alumni meant and done for you?
A: Firstly, I feel very honoured to be part of such a prestige alumni and I believe that it has opened a world of opportunities for me and has taught me not to knock on doors but to bash them down!
I have, through the alumni, made great networks with people like Victor Moerane of The Sowetan Nation Building Campaign, who has taught me to not only focus on my personal success and growth, but also that of my fellow peers in my community.
I thank Blue IQ for allowing us to be part of this alumni and hope this year's winners will come to the group with great innovative ways to promote mathematics and sciences in our schools.
Q: What are your words of encouragement to the other SYM participants?
A: I encourage all pupils in high schools to participate in this competition, for this will be no ordinary win, you will become part of a great family that will take the Gauteng province to New Heights.
Nurturing young minds
ONE of the underlying reasons for the success of the Smart Young Mindz Challenge is its almost uncanny ability to inspire young people in many directions.
This bold nation-building project of Blue IQ, the Gauteng Education and Economic Development departments and Sowetan encourages pupils in Grades 8, 9 and 10 in all of the province's public schools to fathom mathematical, engineering, scientific and technical solutions to pressing social, economic and environmental needs.
Assisted by their subject teachers and supervised by senior circuit and district officials, their answers - in the form of big and or small "projects" - are displayed in a fair-like setting each November, and the top three winning schools share in about R100,000 in prizes. The young representatives qualify to join an exclusive alumni, who are nurtured further, up to higher education level.
Take Ntombi Mbele, whom we learn more about in this Q&A session:
Question: Which year did you enter SYM and how did your team perform?
Answer: We came second in 2007.
Q: Name of high school?
A: Sunwardpark High School.
Q: What are you studying at UJ?
A:Economics and econometrics.
Q: What encouraged your choice of study?
A: I have always loved the study of economics and never saw myself studying anything other than that. And I knew that it is only through economics that I would gain a prospective approach to the world I live in.
Q: What do you hope to achieve with your studies?
A: To become the first female African to head up the International Monetary Fund. But for now, working at the JSE or being a chief economist for any reputable organisation will do.
Q: What are your other team mates doing at the moment?
A: Wandile Dlamini is studying actuarial sciences at UCT. Lethabo Kekena is studying computer sciences at the University of Pretoria, and Sasha Zimmerman is studying accountancy at Wits.
Q: What has being part of the SYM Alumni meant and done for you?
A: Firstly, I feel very honoured to be part of such a prestige alumni and I believe that it has opened a world of opportunities for me and has taught me not to knock on doors but to bash them down!
I have, through the alumni, made great networks with people like Victor Moerane of The Sowetan Nation Building Campaign, who has taught me to not only focus on my personal success and growth, but also that of my fellow peers in my community.
I thank Blue IQ for allowing us to be part of this alumni and hope this year's winners will come to the group with great innovative ways to promote mathematics and sciences in our schools.
Q: What are your words of encouragement to the other SYM participants?
A: I encourage all pupils in high schools to participate in this competition, for this will be no ordinary win, you will become part of a great family that will take the Gauteng province to New Heights.
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