PAN AFRICAN MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD (full report from Olympiad organisers)
Between 25 June and 2 July four high school learners, one from Kwa-Zulu Natal and the others from the Western Cape, took part in the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) that was held in Abaju, Nigeria.
Over the past six years South Africa was ranked under the top three countries and for three consecutive years from 2006 until 2008, ranked first. This year’s results are no different.
Andrew McGregor from Rondebosch Boys’ High School in the Western Cape - Silver Bronson Rudner from the South African College School in the Western Cape - Silver Nashnlen Govindasamy from Star College in Kwa-Zulu Natal - Silver Yaseen Mowzer from Fairbairn College in the Western Cape -Silver
“We are extremely proud of the team’s performance,” says team leader Dr Maciek Stankiewicz. “This year South Africa is ranked second and I am delighted at the tough competition received from other African countries. I can’t wait for next year when we get the chance to compete in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) that will be hosted in Cape Town for the first time since its inception 56 years ago. I believe the IMO in 2014 will unite young African mathematicians who are all proud at the opportunity to host 100 other countries on our beautiful continent.”
The top three countries in this year’s PAMO is: Tunisia, South Africa and Nigeria.
A total of eleven countries participated in this year’s PAMO which is an annual competition organised by the African Mathematics Union (AMU), hosted by a different African country each year. The South African team’s participation this year has been sponsored by Harmony Gold Mining Company.
International Mathematical Olympiad 2013
On 30 July, a group of six high school learners from across the country returned from Colombia where they took part in the 54th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
This year, as with each year since South Africa’s first participation in the IMO back in 1992, the team returns with a number of awards.
Shaylan Lalloo (Pearson High School, Eastern Cape) - Bronze Robin Visser (St George’s Grammar School, Western Cape) - Bronze Nashlen Govindasamy (Star College, Kwa-Zulu Natal) - Honourable mention Lauren Denny (Rustenburg Girls High School, Western Cape) - Honourable mention Andrew McGregor (Rondebosch Boys’ High School, Western Cape) - Honourable mention Bronson Rudner (South African College High School, Western Cape) - Certificate of participation
Mashego Mashego, Executive Director from the Harmony Gold Mining Company who sponsored the teams travel expenses, congratulated the team on their achievements.
“We, as South Africans, are proud of each one of you for flying our flag high in Colombia and would like to wish you and all other participants well for the upcoming final round of the South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO) in September.”
The IMO is an annual mathematics competition for high school learners and takes place in a different country each year. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded to those students who best solved the mathematical challenges and each year the numbers of medals are approved by a Jury. Generally, medals are awarded in the ratio 1:2:3 and handed to participants at the Closing Ceremony.
A total of 97 countries participated in this year’s IMO. This equates to 528 learners from all over the world. In total, 45 gold medals, 92 silver medals, 141 bronze medals and 141 honourable mentions were awarded to participants. The winning country is the People’s Republic of China, with the Republic of Korea and the United States of America in second and third place respectively. The host country, Colombia, is ranked 48th with South Africa in 58th position.
“Next year the IMO will be taking place in Cape Town,” says an excited Prof Johann Engelbrecht, Executive Director of the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF). “We expect the world’s top 600 young mathematicians from over 100 countries together at the tip of Africa for the world’s biggest mathematics Olympiad.”
Selection for the South African team for next year’s IMO on home ground will commence at the first Olympiad Training Camp that will be taking place in December. Learners are chosen for the selection process based on their performance in the SAMO and other SAMF Olympiad programmes.