A 16-year-old Holy Cross pupil has scored big in the SA Mathematics Olympiad.
Grade 9 pupil Sinoxolo Mhloli, from Mthatha, was announced as the top performing junior pupil in his category in quintile three schools in SA, at an event held in Cape Town in October.
The South African Mathematics Olympiad is an annual nationwide initiative to recognise and celebrate outstanding mathematical achievements through a challenging platform that inspires pupils to excel in maths.
Sinoxolo said this was a milestone for him and a reward for resilience.
“This achievement means a lot to me, it also helps me in not giving up as getting the award makes me see that there’s more than just sitting and writing on paper when it comes to the Mathematics Olympiad.”
He said this was not an easy journey with all the pressure he had to endure.
“The competition was tough and I actually thought that I lost, my mind got tired and the paper I was writing on was literally getting wet from all that pressure in my hands.
“At first I thought someone wanted to get my hopes up by pranking me as I saw the message saying I was invited to Cape Town for the Mathematics Olympiad awards.
“I did not believe it for the whole day until my mathematics teacher called my mother to the school to talk about how I would get to Cape Town, so I knew then that it was real.
“My heart then started beating fast as it was also the first time going to Cape Town, so I was nervous.
“I would like to send a shoutout to my mother, Patiswa Mhloli, who was always there for me, my father Mthetho Klaas, my sister Lathitha Mhloli who supports me, and my best friends who were always there for me (Imange Mkundlu, Yololwethu Bandezi, Ayabonga Mdakane, Siphenkosi Matu and Someleze Bentswana).”
He also thanked his mathematics teachers (Mrs Joka, Mr Ngwane, Mr Bhengu) and “even my primary school maths teachers who introduced me to the Mathematics Olympiad (Mr Mduduzi Tshuma, Mr Denis, Miss Paarmjit) and to everyone who supported me.
“I did not expect it at all, it caught me by surprise.”
His Mathematics Olympiad teacher Bhengu said he was excited to see one of his pupils winning.
“I’m very happy for Sinoxolo, this is the start, a dream to have at least one learner make it to the final round of this competition.
“This is also telling other learners that they can make it. Most learners will now be motivated by this award to join the competition.
“Sinoxolo enrolled at our school as a grade 8 learner last year, he was one of those who became interested in the Mathematics Olympiad as I collected names.
“This year, he also managed to proceed to the second round and made it to the top 70 in the Eastern Cape, which resulted in him being invited to the SA Mathematics Olympiad in Cape Town.
“What makes me love this competition is that it enhances their problem-solving skills.
“As a result, most of the learners are also doing well in their academics.”
DispatchLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.