Big brains and even bigger hearts is seemingly the theme for these four finalists, whose days begin inside the school premises and are fulfilled by pouring compassion into communities after the school bell rings at the end of the day.
Sibabalwe Mbini, 18, of Muir College, Shannon Hubbard,18, of Collegiate Girls’ High, Martelize Kruger, 18, of Brandwag High School, and Kirsti Louw, 17, of Pearson High School, all boast thick, achievement-filled CVs, but all agree being able to put others in a position to achieve is what drives their success.
Louw has collected thousands of rand for charity and established a sustainable food project aptly named Food for the Future which sees her collect sandwiches that are donated to a needy farm school in the Bay.
Pearson High School deputy principal Pieter Rademeyer described Louw as a talented allrounder who represented the school with excellence on the cultural and community front.
“She raised much-needed funds for the community. Furthermore she is a proud Hope Jones Ambassador, assisting in projects to support disabled children in our community.
“Her achievements in the field of culture and community involvement were outstanding.
“Her self-discipline and work ethic put her in a class of her own,” Rademeyer said.
While Uitenhage charities have grown accustomed to seeing Kruger in their facilities donating her time and driving charitable causes, Brandwag deputy principal Eerika Roux said Kruger’s charity began at home tutoring her peers.
“She plays a key role in the lives of the other learners.
“Her empathy has enabled her to solve many crises in the lives of her friends and other learners,” Roux said.
“On numerous occasions, she has reached out to less privileged teammates by making sure they are not excluded from activities due to financial constraints as well as lending a helping hand in whichever way was needed.”
Straight As pupil Hubbard said while academics remained her focus, she always found the time to pursue her cultural and community activities in order to achieve a balanced lifestyle.
“Music, drama and writing have been pursuits that I have loved from a young age and I have been afforded numerous opportunities to participate in provincial choirs and national orchestras.
“I have acted and sung in several productions. I still maintain my love for service and a passion for addressing social injustices,” Hubbard said.
Mbini said being elected deputy head boy and vice-president of the Alpha Leo Club Uitenhage for 2018 were the most memorable moments of his school career.
“These moments were special to me as I felt they were the culmination of all my achievements and hard work through my high school career.
“But they were at the same time signalling bigger things to come from me and higher expectations from people around me,” Mbini said.
“I have done volunteer work for the Alpha Leo Club for three years, working at the Mula Project, Willow Dam, clothing the needy and general fundraising.
“Being part of these cultural societies has helped me gain experience working with different people and organising small events.”