Redhill School showcased the power of community and its appreciation for knowledge at the virtual TEDxRedhillSchool.
The TEDx event, spearheaded by deputy head girl Wangari Mbuthia, hosted 20 speakers over a three-hour experience. Each session presented a different topic of interest which was welcomed by the viewers and elaborated on by the speakers.
The line-up included the likes of Gareth Cliff, poet Amanda Ballen, musician and composer Shane Cooper, speaker Arthur Goldstuck and Red Radio’s very own Thomas Hele. “TEDx is a programme of local, independently-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience and while researching, I discovered that TEDx events can be organised by the youth and I was very keen on exploring this for my project,” said Wangari.
Wangari is part of the school’s first cohort of International Baccalaureate learners. As part of the curriculum, the learners had to complete a CAS project (creativity, activity, and service). The matriculant decided to host the TEDx talk as part of her project.
According to Wangari, the event was an unimaginable success as the virtual event outweighed all of her expectations. She remains grateful to her fellow learners and co-organiser Adam Golding.
“We were able to reach a lot more people with this virtual format than a live event would have allowed,” said Adam. “Upon the event completion, I am grateful for all the help I received from students and teachers and now my focus needs to shift onto the next big thing, matric.”
The theme for the country’s first-ever online TEDx event was ‘The Beauty of the Unknown’. “I chose [this theme] because I wanted to highlight the beauty in discovery and the journeys taken to get there. I hoped to inspire discussion as well as encourage students that there are so many opportunities for them to find their passion,” Wangari added. The school’s executive head Joseph Gerassi said, “We are exceptionally proud of Wangari who, together with Mr Adam Golding, put together South Africa’s first-ever online TEDx event during a global pandemic and in Wangari’s matric year. We have no doubt that this will be the first of many thought-leadership and TEDx events at Redhill School going forward.”
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/276639/redhill-learner-spearheads-tedx-talk/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/266659/redhill-stronger-than-ever/
