South Africa's Best and Brightest Young Mathematicians to Compete on World Stage

The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) has announced its national teams for the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) and the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), which will compete in these prestigious competitions against students worldwide.

The Foundation selects these teams from the best participants in the previous year's SA Mathematics Olympiad (a national mathematics competition) that attracts thousands of students nationwide. "The Foundation invites those who score highest in the Final Round of the Olympiad to attend a training camp, where they receive intensive coaching and preparation for international participation," explains Prof Kerstin Jordaan, who is a full-time mathematics researcher and the Foundation's executive director.

Many learners in the national mathematics team began their journey in primary school, participating in the SA Mathematics Challenge, an annual competition promoting mathematics education and identifying young talent. Over the years, they honed their skills, developing a passion for mathematics and participating in various local, regional, and national competitions. Their dedication and hard work have paid off, as they have now earned a spot on the national team, representing South Africa at the Pan-African and International Mathematics Olympiads. The learners have been preparing for years, attending training camps, working with coaches, and participating in numerous practice sessions to achieve success on the global stage.

"Their selection is a testament to their exceptional mathematical abilities and unwavering commitment to excellence in the field," says Jordaan.

The 2023 Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad takes place in Rwanda from 13 to 22 May, and the learners who will represent South Africa are:

• Eli Williams, Gr 9, Westerford High School
• Ellen Grant-Smith, Gr 10, Westerford High School
• Hugo Bruwer, Gr 12, Hoër Jongenskool Paarl
• Jana Rossouw, Gr 11, Jim Fouché Hoërskool
• Moied Baleg, Gr 10, The Settlers High School
• Yian Xu, Gr 10, Redhill School

The team leaders are PAMO alumni Kerry Porrill and Dylan Nelson.

The International Mathematics Olympiad takes place in Japan from 2 to 13 July 2023, and the national team comprises of:

• Hugo Bruwer, Gr 12, Hoër Jongenskool Paarl
• Jared Slater, Gr 12, Parel Vallei High School
• Minkyum Kim, Gr 12, Reddam House Durbanville
• Moied Baleg, Gr 10, The Settlers High School
• Yian Xu, Gr 10, Redhill School
• Youkyum Kim, Gr 10, Reddam House Durbanville

The team leaders are IMO alumni Liam Baker, Kerry Porrill, and Malwande Nkonyane.

Jordaan explained that the country’s weak educational system restricts the Foundation from selecting demographically representative teams. “Only the cream of the crop can be considered to represent South Africa at these highly competitive international events. Last year only 2,7% of learners who wrote the National Senior Certificate achieved a distinction in Mathematics. Despite these systematic problems, we are collaborating with the government and our funders to be more strategic in identifying and developing mathematically talented youngsters."

The team’s participation in these international Olympiads is sponsored by Old Mutual South Africa and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).