23 October 2006
What does one need to change the abstract science of geometry into reality?
An art teacher, mathematics teacher and a crafter. This is exactly what the
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education will be doing in an innovative new
approach to the teaching of mathematics.
On Tuesday, 24 October KwaZulu Natal MEC for Education Ina Cronj� will
deliver the keynote address at the Africa meets Africa Project's launch of an
innovative new teacher's resource pack, entitled 'Africa meets Africa: Making a
Living through the Mathematics of Zulu Design.'
The Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria sponsored the development
of this teacher's resource - a richly illustrated full colour resource book and
90 minute film. Its extensive implementation programme with the KwaZulu Natal
Department of Education is being sponsored by the Shuttleworth Foundation.
The resource was developed by Helene Smuts, director of The Africa meets
Africa Project, Jannie van Heerden, Deputy Chief Education Specialist for
Visual Art and Design in the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department - an
acknowledged academic authority on Zulu grass weaving - with Dr Chonat Getz,
professor in Mathematics at the University of the Witwatersrand up to 2003, who
has published extensively on mathematical ideas contained in the integrity of
design of examples of indigenous southern African styles of weaving and
beadwork.
Date: 24 October 2006
Time: 03h30 � 4h00
Venue: Killie Campbell Collection, 220 Marriott Road, Berea, Durban
Master craft men and women, as well as mathematics and art educators and
children will be attending the launch - great photo opportunity.
Enquiries:
Helene Smuts
Tel: (011) 622 7871
Cell: 082 46 83 886
E-mail: h_smuts@iafrica.comm,
helene@africameetsafrica.co.za
Christi Naud�
Tel: (033) 355 2453
Fax: (033) 342 0275
Cell: 083 262 8829
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
23 October 2006
