Zintle Makeng

Every so often the world has no issues in bombarding us with the talents of their young entertainers in a shameless display of whizz-kid glory, as if we have none of our own. I think it’s time to shamelessly promote and expose the youngest and most gifted of South African talents to the world.

A step in that exact direction, Whizz Kids of Mzansi, is a new documentary series that looks at what talent is and how it unfolds in our children. What is this thirst to learn and understand what gifted children possess?

For years children have been measured by how they perform on an intellectual level or on how many marks they get in class. However, more and more research shows that this is a limited way of measuring how smart and talented an individual child is.

The series will take viewers on a journey of wonderment and enchantment – one that will widen the lens of what genius really is, where it is found in developing children and how it evolves into adulthood. The series will explore the fantastic and crazy realm and will challenge the viewer to perceive and understand a child’s mind on a new level.

The series is set to remind the viewers of the magic, mystery and the beauty of the human mind. Whizz Kids of Mzansi will unravel the magnificent mystery that is genius in all its unconventional and peculiar facets through the eyes of the gifted children and will.

Hosted by former YOTV presenter Vuyisiwe Ngcobo, the six-part series will expose us to the talents of Tshepang, one of South Africa’s youngest chess champions, who challenges master chess player Watu Kobese, as well as Neo, an 11-year-old violinist who has recently grabbed the media’s attention and headlines her own concerts.

Whizz Kids of Mzansi airs on SABC 1 at 9pm.

Zintlem@thenewage.co.za