Five HDIs to Coordinate SAMF’s 2025 Siyanqoba Olympiad Training

The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) is delighted to announce the outstanding results of its online Mathematics Problem-Solving (MPS) Course for facilitators at Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) in partnership with the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS). Sixty-nine students enrolled for the course on Limina Education Services’ platform of which fifty-seven passed the training and became accredited to present MPS classes to high school learners.  All successful facilitators were honoured at a virtual ceremony on 7 May.

This MPS course was the first phase in a broader initiative to enhance South Africa’s mathematical sciences landscape. It follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SAMF, the National Graduate Academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences NGA(MaSS), and CoE-MaSS, which lays the groundwork for setting up a National Centre for Mathematical Sciences.

As part of its long-term strategy, SAMF established Siyanqoba Olympiad Training Centres for high school learners at five of the HDIs - the University of Limpopo, Walter Sisulu University, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, the University of Fort Hare and the University of Mpumalanga.

First launched in 2011, the Siyanqoba Mathematics Olympiad Training Programme equips high-school learners with advanced mathematical problem-solving skills that go beyond routine curricula. The results of the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO) are used to select promising youngsters in close proximity to the above-mentioned HDIs. Prof Poobhalan Pillay, the SAMF Academic Coordinator for the programme, will lead the 2025 online training programme which runs weekly from 17 May until 27 October.

“I wish all selected learners every success as they embark on this rigorous training programme,” says Prof Seithuthi Moshokoa, Executive Director of SAMF. “May your dedication and hard work open new doors in mathematical excellence.”

Outstanding participants will be eligible to SAMF’s annual Olympiad Camp at Stellenbosch University in December. Progressing through Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels, training camp participants may potentially represent South Africa at the 2026 Pan African and International Mathematical Olympiads. Learners will also be encouraged to enter the 2025 ASSA Mathematics Team Competition and the South African Kangaroo Mathematics Competition, broadening their competitive experience.

Photo: SAMF Archives – 2017 Olympiad Training Camp at the University of Stellenbosch.

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Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived are those of the author and are not necessarily to be attributed to the CoE-MaSS.