GARETH PEARSON
CURATOR
Gareth is a student at Stellenbosch University currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in Strategy and Innovation. As co-founder and Chairman of EcoMaties, Stellenbosch’s primary sustainability student group, Gareth works actively to advance sustainability on campus. In addition to world-changing ideas, he is passionate about design, problem-solving, architecture, sustainability, the environment, and getting around on bicycles. He’s also a big fan of Biomimicry and Cradle to Cradle Design. He surfs, takes photos, and is a big believer in the Kingdom of Bhutan’s idea of gross national happiness.
PIETER BOTHA
Pieter Botha is a student at Stellenbosch University currently studying towards a BSc. Honours degree in Botany, with a specific focus on invasive plants. He is passionate about the environment and especially interested in languages, sustainability issues and invasive organisms. As vice-chairman of EcoMaties Sustainability Society, Pieter strives to promote sustainability at Stellenbosch University.
JESSICA LIN
Jessica graduated from Harvard University, where she studied Government, African Studies, and Swahili. She was previously a fellow at The Laboratory at Harvard, a new platform for idea experimentation and exhibition in the arts and sciences, and currently serves as the Project Manager for the Idea Translation Lab in Cape Town. Jessica is also a co-founder of sOccket, a soccer ball that harnesses the energy during game play for later use as a source of electricity.
HUGO VAN VUUREN
CURATOR
Educated in the liberal arts at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and Harvard College (Economics). In the illiberal arts at Artscience Labs, Le Laboratoire in Paris, The Lab @ Harvard, and YCombinator. Currently a graduate student at the GSD and student fellow at The Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Previously a fellow at TED and Poptech. Passionate bridge-builder, citizen of the Commonwealth, and multi-fielder at Harvard. Working on Artscience ideas, Dirt Power, and sharing lessons from Africa at Design With Africa with …XYZ Design and TEDxStellenbosch.
CAREL KLEYNHANS
Carel is currently completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Economic Sciences at Stellenbosch University. He has been involved in projects ranging from South Africa’s largest music tour to founding a successful social awareness project. His interests in socio-economic development, the arts, and the people of South Africa drive him to constantly try and test the boundaries of what is possible.
MARISKA DU PREEZ
CURATOR
Mariska has a keen interest in people and technology and is doing her Masters in Marketing focusing on mobile technology innovations through the MIH Media Lab at Stellenbosch University.
Synergising her passion for people and Africa she works part-time for the Praekelt Foundation, a South African business that builds open source mobile technologies to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in poverty. When not presenting workshops on marketing, branding and networking, Mariska enjoys to spend time with friends, preferably with a good glass of Stellenbosch wine.
MATTHEW DE LA HEY
Matthew is an Accounting student with a keen interest in all affairs current, political and philosophical; a farm chap with a head for business and the conviction to use it to change the world - uplifting people sustainably as a champion of the environment. He is a keen canoeist, fly-fisherman and a mentor in the Rachel’s Angels programme amongst other community orientated activities. Matthew aims to study at Oxford University.