South Africa’s brightest young mathematicians have once again showcased their exceptional abilities at the 2024 Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), held from 11 to 22 August at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Organised by the African Mathematical Union (AMU), PAMO has been a key platform for mathematical excellence across Africa since its inception in 1987. Each participating country team consists of six contestants (three girls and three boys), a team leader, and a deputy team leader.
The South African team, coordinated by the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) and sponsored by Old Mutual and the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA), made the nation proud by achieving outstanding results:
Noah Jacobsen – St John's College, Grade 12 – Gold Medal
Pocoyo Pun – Elkanah House, Grade 9 – Gold Medal
Grant Hacking – American International School of Cape Town, Grade 11 – Silver Medal
Olivia Castleden – Somerset House, Grade 8 – Bronze Medal
Neo Leseilane – Roedean School, Grade 12 – Bronze Medal
Anni Luo – Durban Girls' College, Grade 10 – Bronze Medal
South Africa’s overall performance placed them in 4th position, just behind Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. These results are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the students, their educators, and their families. The other participating countries (in alphabetical order) were Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Djibouti, Egypt, eSwatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Nurturing Mathematical Talent and Building Bridges
PAMO is more than just a competition; it plays a pivotal role in fostering a deep appreciation for mathematics among African students. The Olympiad also promotes cultural exchange and unity across the continent, allowing participants to connect and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds. These experiences often lead to significant academic and career opportunities in mathematics and science, helping to shape the future of Africa’s intellectual landscape.
"As the leader of this exceptional team, I cannot express how proud I am of each and every one of our students,” says Malwande Nkonyane (an investment analyst). “Their dedication, resilience, and passion for mathematics have truly shone through at this year’s PAMO. It has been an absolute honour to lead such a talented group of young minds, and I am equally grateful to have had the support of our deputy team leader, Kgaugelo Bopape (a mathematics honours student), whose guidance and encouragement were invaluable throughout this journey.
This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our students. Watching these young individuals grow and excel has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I am confident that their success here at PAMO is just the beginning of their remarkable journeys in mathematics and beyond."
Top row from left to right:
Neo Leseilane – Roedean School, Grade 12
Grant Hacking – American International School of Cape Town, Grade 11
Olivia Castleden – Somerset House, Grade 8
Kgaugelo Bopape – Deputy Team Leader
Bottom row from left to right:
Anni Luo – Durban Girls' College, Grade 10
Noah Jacobsen – St John's College, Grade 12
Pocoyo Pun – Elkanah House, Grade 9
Malwande Nkonyane – Team Leader