NRF-SAASTA puts mathematics, coding and robotics in the spotlight in Mthatha

Mathematics took centre stage in Mthatha on 19 September as 66 learners from 15 hub schools put their problem-solving skills to the test at the St John’s College Technology and Innovation Hub (SJCTIH) Maths Olympiad.

The competition, held in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the NRF-SAASTA and the Eastern Cape Department of Education, combined mathematical problem-solving with practical exposure to coding, robotics and other emerging technologies.

The event brought together 39 Grade 10 to 12 learners competing in the senior category and 27 Grade 8 and 9 learners in the junior category. They were supported by 15 teachers and nine staff members, including a Science Engagement Coordination Specialist and eight volunteers, while SJCTIH officials facilitated the programme.

Beyond the mathematics competition, learners were introduced to practical applications of technology through Coding and Robotics activities. The programme included Tangible Coding, 3D modelling and problem-solving exercises, allowing learners to apply mathematical and computational thinking in practical contexts.

The mathematics competition was organised through a partnership between the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA) and the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), with a focus on strengthening mathematical excellence, logical reasoning, teamwork, innovation and problem-solving among learners from participating hub schools.

The competition comprised two stages. Learners first completed an individual, one-hour problem-solving paper consisting of 15 multiple-choice questions. They then progressed to a team challenge featuring 10 problems, requiring teams of eight learners to work collaboratively and submit a single set of answers.

The team papers were subsequently sent to the SAMF headquarters for centralised marking.

For NRF-SAASTA, programmes that combine mathematics with practical technology exposure provide an important platform for strengthening learners’ interest and confidence in STEM fields.

The Mthatha event also demonstrated how mathematics can extend beyond textbook exercises, equipping learners with analytical and problem-solving skills that are increasingly relevant to careers in science, technology, engineering, data, finance and other innovation-driven fields.

Each learner who completed both competition papers received a participation package containing a T-shirt, brochures, a certificate of participation and a USB flash drive bearing the South African Mathematics Foundation logo.

Through initiatives such as the Maths Olympiad and accompanying Coding and Robotics activities, learners were given more than an opportunity to compete. They were encouraged to see mathematics as a foundation for innovation and as a practical tool for understanding and solving challenges beyond the classroom.