Record participation at South African Mathematics Olympiad

The SAMO is the biggest Olympiad in South Africa and has been taking place on an annual basis since 1966. It is organised by the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), a non-profit organisation established to advance mathematics education through improved quality teaching and learning as well as through public awareness.

Sponsored by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited ('Harmony') and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) the Olympiad takes place over three rounds and consists of a junior division for Grades 8 and 9, and a senior division for Grades 10 to 12. The first round of the Olympiad took place in March with more than 82,000 learners from 1,030 schools participating, breaking the record of the previous year's entries. Those learners who scored 50% and above in the first round proceeded to the second round.

The UJ Metropolitan Academy (formally known as Raucall) has been participating in the SAMO for the past decade and for the second consecutive year entered all their learners for the first round of the SAMO.

Marietta Westerberg, the school's principal says that all learners in UJ Metropolitan Academy take pure maths up to matric. "There is a lot of team motivation among the learners to take part in the Olympiad. The Maths department, headed by Desirée Levendis, constantly encourages the fun element in maths and likes to challenge learners to stretch themselves and step out of their comfort zones."

"It is also important to remember that participation in the South African Mathematics Olympiad is not reserved for those only clever, nerdy children in school," says Nwabisa Mphakalasi, Project Director: Marketing of the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA) who is a proud co-sponsor of the Olympiad.

"Classroom Mathematics has recently moved more and more to what could be called mechanical calculations or numeracy. It is therefore very important that we continue to emphasise that Mathematics is about thinking and the discovery, and validation, of problem solving methods. "

Harmony, who is also a sponsor of the SAMO, is proud to be associated with the learner and teacher development programmes organised by the SAMF. "Harmony recognises the critical role of education in transforming South Africa," says Mashego Mashego, Executive Director at Harmony. "The Olympiad is one of the initiatives that forms part of our commitment to the sustainable socio-economic development and well-being of our communities."

Another important mathematical calendar event is the long-awaited International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) from 3-13 July 2014 that will be taking place on African soil for the first time since its inception 56 years ago. More than 600 young competitors from all over the world will be visiting Cape Town for this prestigious Olympiad. Following that are the final round of the South African Mathematics Challenge for learners in Grades 4 to 7 on 30 July as well as the final round of the South African Mathematics Olympiad for learners in Grades 8 to 12 on 12 September.

For more, go to www.imo2014.org.za