The hip young bright stuff

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The first of its kind, the Hip2B² programme rewards and acknowledges high-school learners with a proven ability in science, inventions, entrepreneurship, maths or computers. Some also excel in sports and the arts, proving yet again that you don't have to be a closet nerd to be clever.

Mark Shuttleworth launched the Hip2B² brand five years ago. A self-confessed geek, who became a billionaire in his twenties by breaking new frontiers in computer technology, Shuttleworth started Hip2B² with the intention of making science, maths and technology 'sexy' to high school learners.

Face of the brand

Thirteen brand ambassadors, all under 17 years of age, will participate upfront as “the face of the brand” in the Hip2B² platforms, says Kate Evans, communications manager of BSquare Communications.

“They will star in our television show, write for our magazine, create a blog and record podcasts for the website,” says Evans. “Throughout the year the brand ambassadors will also become involved in social responsibility or community outreach projects.”

In 2007 applications for the Brand Ambassador Programme were invited from high-school learners across the country. The brand ambassadors are:

Western Cape:

• Johannes Jonker (15), a computer whiz who designs websites
  
• James Gowan (16), who uses his computer to trade shares on the stock market
  
• Simone Abramson (16), who has patented a new means of identifying people by photographing the back of the eye
  
• Anant Dole (14) a talented budding entrepreneur who has represented SA at chess olympiads around the world

From Gauteng:

• 
  Louis van Biljon (16), an entrepreneur and inventor who registered his first patent, a foot-operated tap, in Grade 5. Other inventions are currently being assessed in the US
  
• Samantha Khumalo (16), an outstanding all-round academic and star netball player
  
• Megan Mina (15), a brilliant science student and ballerina
  
• Ogo Nkado (15), a science whiz awarded the top achiever prize at school
  
• Ashleigh Waterson (16), a top school academic and tennis player

From KZN:

• Tegan Liesegang (14), a brilliant science student and surfer
  
• Hayley Minter-Brown (15), a maths whiz and an accomplished pianist and saxophonist. She also has tennis and hockey colours.
  
• Senaly Singh (15) has won trophies for maths, published poems, and is vice-president of Teenagers Against Drugs

From Eastern Cape:

• Jessica West (14), a brilliant science and maths student and champion horse rider

Comments Shuttleworth, “It's that little bit of magic that makes these brand ambassadors stand out from other hot contenders.

“Moving with the times”

“For the Hip2B² Brand Ambassador programme we evaluate learners on their own aspirations and single out those who want to discover more, are curious about the world around them and want to share their interests with others. Hip2B² definitely favours learners with bags of enthusiasm and creative energy – those who are constantly moving with the times and re-defining their accomplishments along the way.”

According to Evans, the Hip2B² brand doesn't sell products, at least not in the traditional physical sense. “Our goal is sell an idea to young learners; that focusing their energies on maths, science and related subjects is a launch pad to many exciting careers. Working hard at them gives you so many more options when you leave school.”

Sadly, maths and science have been largely neglected in SA, with the result that this country lags behind many others when it comes to breaking new ground in the rapidly changing world of technology.

“Our brand ambassadors are tomorrow's doctors, scientists, captains of industry, Nobel laureates and afronauts,” enthuses Evans. “They are the ones who will carry our message, our reason for being and our brand, so it is critical that they embrace what we are doing and how we are doing it. You could say they are our cheerleaders.”