Confident mathematics teacher Mbongeni Simelane of Sizanani Primary School in Dube has high hopes about the achievements of his grade 6 and 7 learners who took part in the Maths Olympiads.
Simelane said he is proud of his two Grade Six learners Thato Radebe and Thabo Sithole who managed to secure position 1 and 2 in district first round.
“We secured the positions with Radebe 1 with 98% and Sithole with 95%. Last week Thursday on August 17 we went to the second round and I am proud to say we made it to the provincial level.
“But this time Sithole is in position 1 with 96% and Radebe with 80%,” said Simelane.
Simelane said they are now preparing him for the provincial level in the second week of September where he will be competing with 15 districts in Pretoria.
“We are working hard like Brazil when they are preparing for the finals and we are working day and night to make sure he is ready.
“I am working with my colleague Ntando Gwebu to ensure that these children are ready,” he said.
Simelane and Gwebu said although Thato is not going to the finals they still train both of them for the numeric olympiads that will take place in October.
“This is indeed the moment we have been waiting for and we are proud we reached this level with the boys,” said Simelani and Gwebu.
According to Simelane his grade 7 will also be writing on September 6 at the district level and if they make it they will be going to provincial level.
“But I am sure they will make it to the provincial and will take position 1, 2 and 3 and they are going to be the best. And one of them Nombulelo Radebe is in the final of the Oprah Winfrey numeric Olympiads,” he said.
Simelane said he is confident that they will represent SA in the Maths Olympiads and they work with limited resources.
“I wanted to get them tablets but I couldn’t because the school does not have enough funds,” said Simelane.
The kids are currently sponsored by Soweto Toyota and Soweto Hotel but we would like to have more sponsors.
“It is not every day you find a car company sponsoring a teacher, they often sponsor celebrities.
“I am very grateful to them and they will be part of our final year awards and people should come witness history. On December 3 come witness the best mathematics awards,” he said.
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