The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), which acts as the national office for mathematics in the country, co-ordinates a number of Mathematics Olympiad programmes for both learners and teachers throughout the year. Of these the South African Mathematical Olympiad (SAMO) is the largest Olympiad of its kind in South Africa.
Nelson, who is a Grade 12 learner at Benoni High School (Gauteng), is honoured with receiving the Gold medal in the senior division of the Olympiad. "Because it is the last year I was able to take part in the SAMO, I am really happy that I ended my mathematics Olympiad journey on such a high note." He has been taking part in mathematics Olympiads for the majority of his school career and was also a member of the South African team that competed at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in Argentina earlier this year.
A Grade 9 learner at Hoërskool Diamantveld in Kimberley (Northern Cape), Van Niekerk is thrilled at receiving the Gold medal in the junior division of the Olympiad. "Having reached this point in my Olympiad journey is the reward of hard work and dedication. I believe that through the act of doing one gains valuable experience and because I see myself as an analytical thinker who happens to love mathematics, I have faith in my ability to come out top in the senior division one day."
Professor Nic Heideman, chairman of the SAMO Committee, is delighted by the overall results from this year's participants. "South Africa has world-class mathematicians and participants have proven this by achieving excellent results at the IMO as well as getting overall second place at this year's Pan African Mathematical Olympiad (PAMO)."
Addressing the audience on the importance of the SAMO to determine academic success at tertiary level, Professor Poobhalan Pillay, Emeritus Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) said in his opening address that, to be identified as a top tenner, from a starting field over 60 000 learners, who themselves were selected by their schools on merit, is no mean achievement.
"In many ways the proofs in mathematics are works of art, invoking precise mathematical language, fine logic and calculations to verify hypotheses. Mathematics, music, poetry and fine art have much in common; they are all aesthetic. When viewed from this perspective, the subject is often dubbed as the Queen of all Sciences. On the other hand, she is also a handmaid to a number of disciplines, providing the tools required to address problems that occur from time to time."
Other noteworthy awards were that of the best previously disadvantaged school, which went to Capricorn High School, Polokwane and the best performing school, which was awarded to Star College, Durban. Alwyn Olivier, president of the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA), presented the headmasters with a trophy.
Prof Johann Engelbrecht, Executive Director at the SAMF, congratulated the medallists present and also those who participated in the SAMO and other Mathematics Olympiad Programmes, such as the SAMO Training Programme, South African Interprovincial Mathematical Olympiad (SAIPMO), as well as the International and Pan African Mathematical Olympiads (IMO and PAMO).
2012's medallists for the SAMO are:
Senior division
Junior division
A number of other awards were also received. They were:
Schools
Learners
The SAMO is open to learners between grades 8 and 12.Learners who wish to enter the competition should approach their maths teachers. Entry forms for the 2013 SAMO will be posted to schools early in January.
