Juané Oosthuizen, a Grade 10 learner at Nico Malan High School, is this year’s ‘Smartest Learner’ and the winner of The IIE’s Varsity College National High Schools’ Quiz 2021.
Second place went to Kenneth Janson, a Grade 11 learner at Paarl Boys’ High School in the Western Cape, while Mayibongwe Ncube, a Grade 11 learner at Balmoral College in Gauteng, came in third place.
The National High Schools’ Quiz finals were recently held at The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton. Juané walked away with a R10 000 cash prize, R10 000 for her school and R5 000 for her teacher, Dr Natasha Kruger.
Juané said, “I have participated in various general knowledge quizzes at my school and online this year which, I believe, partly prepared me, because you can never be fully prepared for these types of competitions.
“I enjoyed reading from a young age and have built up a good general knowledge from books and reading the news online daily for the last year.
“I was excited from the first day I found out about the quiz, as I enjoy my general knowledge being put to the test. I completed the first two rounds at The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay campus and was pleasantly surprised with the warm welcome I received there.
“Throughout the competition all the participants were generously rewarded, very different than other general knowledge competitions, where only the winners get a prize.
“The travel to and stay at the final event was a special experience for my mom and me. I enjoyed the day of the final, especially the relaxed atmosphere created by the MC’s humour.
“I would definitely participate again! I have truly been spoilt with prizes throughout the competition, so I believe it’s wise to save my prize money for future use, such as university tuition. I do not see myself as the Smartest Learner in South Africa, by any means! I am humbled by the recognition, but I believe there is always more to learn.”
After months of planning and intense coaching of learners across the country, the eight finalists were welcomed to The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton campus for the finals.
“The finalists were thrown into the tumultuous world of COVID-19 over the past 18 months with classes being online and then face-to-face and then back to online. At their young age, being able to adapt so quickly and have the discipline to study consistently and independently at times is commendable,” said Kimberly McIntyre, campus head at The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton.
“These learners, along with their guardians, have so much to be proud of. Pride can be heightened even more by the extraordinary skill and knowledge we witnessed during the finals. The Schools’ Quiz has proved to me that the youth of our country is resilient and able to tackle any challenge that comes their way.”
Juané’s mother, Ilze Oosthuizen, thanked The IIE’s Varsity College.
“I just want to thank all of you again for the lovely opportunity and the great experience of being part of the National High Schools’ Quiz.
“From the first round at The IIE’s Varsity College Nelson Mandela Bay to the finals at The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton, we enjoyed every moment. Juané will save the money for the time being. Thank you for everything you do to make learning fun!”
