International Mathematics Olympiad: Young SA mathletes are off to Romania

 

 

Six Western Cape whizzes have been selected for the South African team representing our country at the 59th International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).

 

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It keeps up the Cape’s fantastic record of producing “mathletes”. Since 2014, five of the six-student team have been from schools in the Mother City. Yet the class of 2018 is a perfect six for the region.

South Africa’s International Mathematics Olympiad team:

  • Adri Wessels (Curro Durbanville)
  • Emil van der Walt (Jan van Riebeeck High School)
  • Emile Tredoux (Parklands College)
  • Ralph McDougall (Curro Durbanville)
  • Taariq Mowzer (Fairbairn College)
  • Tim Schlesinger (Rondebosch Boys’ High School)

It took a nationwide talent search to put this team together, but all roads lead back to Cape Town. The SA Mathematics Foundation were ultimately responsible for picking the squad, who are set for a European trip of a lifetime.

The IMO takes place in a different country every year and it’s destination Romania for our best and brightest, who will take part in the tournament from 3 – 14 July.

 

Forget Cady Heron, these mathletes are the real deal

A total of 110 countries will take part. Over two days, the world’s top teenage minds will tackle six extremely challenging mathematics problems in intense, but ultimately amicable competition.

Western Cape Minister for Education Debbie Schafer made no attempt to hide the pride she had for the local mathematicians, sending them on their way with a good luck message:

“I must congratulate all six learners on their success in the competition as well as wish them the best of luck for the competition ahead in Romania. I know that you will make yourselves and the City of Cape Town very proud.”

South Africa has taken part in the IMO every year since 1992, and in 2014 the event was held in Cape Town – The first time the event has been hosted in Africa.

Last year, South Africa was ranked 60th and topped the 12 other African countries taking part, finishing ahead of the likes of Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana.