Olympiad
3 April 2009
The Pan African Mathematics Olympiad is an annual event organised by the
African Mathematical Union. The objective is to encourage talent and exchange
information on curricula and teaching methods in mathematics across the African
continent. Participation is by invitation only and the official languages are
French and English. Each country is entitled to send a team consisting of a
team leader that is a mathematics teacher at a secondary or tertiary level, and
four pupils younger than 20 years old.
South Africa, through the Department of Science and Technology, will be the
host country for the 19th Pan African Mathematics Olympiad. The department
endorses this Olympiad and believes that it will create an enabling environment
that will provide opportunities for creative thinking for mathematically
inclined minds in the technological environment.
Thirteen countries including Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Kenya, Benin,
Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Algeria, Uganda, Mali, Mozambique, the Ivory Coast and South
Africa will participate in this event which will be held at the Pure Joy Guest
Lodge, Kameeldrift, Pretoria from 19 to 26 April 2009.
South Africa has been participating in the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad
for several years and won the Olympiad in 2007 and 2008. This year South Africa
entered two teams. The official team consists of Arlton Gilbert (Star College),
Dessi Nikolov (Eunice High School), Greg Jackson (Diocesan College) and
Hlanganani Shibambo (Wordsworth High School). The unofficial team is made up of
Sean Wentzel (Westerford High School), Kira Düsterwald (Springfield Convent),
Charl du Plessis (Stellenberg High School), Ashraf Moolla (Rondebosch Boys'
High School) and Rofhiwa Mauda (Mbilwi Secondary School).
At the conclusion of the Olympiad, South Africa will award gold, silver and
bronze medals as well as medals for the top three countries. The host country
will furthermore provide certificates of participation to all candidates who
took part in the Olympiad including honourable mention and special prizes.
The Department of Science and Technology and the South African Mathematics
Foundation wishes all participants well and trust that they will receive a
truly South African welcome!
Visit the Department of Science and Technology and Pan African Mathematics
Olympiad websites for more information.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
3 April 2009
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
