Latest news with #SAMF
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Science
- IOL News
South African team shines at International Mathematics Olympiad with record-breaking performance
The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) is celebrating a historic achievement as the national team secured its best ranking in 25 years at the recent International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) held in Australia from 10 to 20 July. Competing against high school students from over 100 countries, the South African contingent finished in an impressive 38th place, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of its young mathematicians. Every year, the IMO presents a formidable challenge, testing the mathematical prowess of students through complex problems over two intense days. Each participant tackles three problems for 4½ hours each day, demonstrating not only individual expertise but also the ability to perform under pressure. This year, South African students faced tough competition from powerhouse teams, including those from the People's Republic of China, the United States, and the Republic of Korea, yet they rose to the occasion with remarkable skill. The results were outstanding, with six students proudly bringing home awards. Youkyum Kim, a Grade 12 student from Reddam House Durbanville in Cape Town, earned a Silver Medal. Meanwhile, Moied Baleg from The Settlers High School in Bellville, Eli Williams from Westerford High School in Cape Town, Pocoyo Pun from Elkanah House in Cape Town, Yian Xu from Redhill High School in Sandton, and Ellen Grant-Smith from Westerford High School also excelled, each receiving Bronze Medals or an Honourable Mention. Professor Seithuti Moshokoa, Executive Director of SAMF, expressed tremendous pride in the team's performance. 'We're so pleased with how our team did this year. They worked really hard, and this achievement shows just how talented they are,' he remarked. His sentiments reflect the dedication and passion for mathematics that propelled these students to success. The pathway to this achievement was supported by Old Mutual South Africa, highlighting the importance of institutional backing in nurturing talent in mathematics. The competition's rigorous format ensures fairness, with leaders and teachers meticulously checking answers after the event to confirm accurate scoring. As a non-profit organisation established in 2004, SAMF is committed to enhancing mathematical excellence across the nation. By fostering an environment that encourages professional development for educators and promotes mathematical advancement, SAMF plays a pivotal role in shaping a future rich in innovation across various sectors, including science, business, finance, and engineering. This year's achievements at the IMO not only reflect the individual brilliance of the students but also the collective effort in building a solid mathematical foundation across South Africa. With the momentum gained from this success, SAMF's future initiatives will be crucial in sustaining and amplifying this talent pool, offering excellent prospects for the continued advancement of mathematics in the region.
Arab News
19-07-2025
- Automotive
- Arab News
Saudi Motorsport accelerates as 2nd Round of Hill Climb Championship concludes in Taif
TAIF: Saudi driver Faisal Al-Qabbani secured first place in the second round of the Saudi Toyota Championship Hill Climb that concluded on Saturday in Aqabat Al Muhammadiyah, Al Shafa. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Al-Qabbani overall clocked the fastest time of 1 minute, 43.116 seconds, meanwhile Maamoun Al-Qabbani came in second with a time of 1 minute, 43.962 seconds, said a media statement. Jean Lahoud claimed third place with a time of 1 minute, 45.681 seconds. The event was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, and organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), in collaboration with official partner Jameel Motorsport and the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club. The second round was marked by a high standard of organization and notable participation, reflecting the rapid progress of motorsport in the Kingdom and the growing stature of the championship across the regional motorsport landscape. Mohammed Madani, Executive Vice President for Strategic Management and Business Development at the SAMF, expressed his satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the second round. He conveyed his pride in the outstanding level of organization and the spirit of competition, both of which reflect the ongoing development of motorsport in the Kingdom. 'This championship reflects the commitment of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation to advancing motorsport and providing high-quality competitive platforms that support the discovery and development of young Saudi talent. It also reflects the Federation's vision to build a sustainable and professional motorsport ecosystem,' Madani said. In Class 1, Faisal Al-Qabbani also took first place with his leading time of 1:43.116, ahead of Maamoun Al-Qabbani in second, and Mahmoud Abed in third. In Class 2a, Jean Lahoud topped the leaderboard with a time of 1:45.681, followed by Ahmed Al-Qaidi in second and Ahmed Bajunaid in third. Meanwhile, Class 2b was won by Rabih Al-Aawar with a time of 1:50.820, with Abdullah Al-Qabbani and Mohammed Al-Sharyan securing second and third respectively. In Class 3a, Ibrahim Al-Shouraida led with a time of 1:52.508, followed by Sultan Hamdi and Hazem Al-Dabbagh in second and third. Class 3b saw Hamza Bakhashab take first place with a time of 1:58.785, ahead of Riyadh Batal in second and Abdullah Khoja in third. In Class 4a, Abdullah Al-Khuriji secured the top spot with a time of 1:59.538, followed by Hisham Al-Badea and Bandar Al-Sulami. In Class 4b, Ali Al-Khadhair took first with a time of 2:04.960, while Abi Wael Zafar and Khaled Baghdadi placed second and third respectively. In Class 5a, Abdulaziz Al-Fadhili claimed first place with a time of 2:09.574, followed by female driver Enas Abtini in second and Mohammed Abdelghaffar in third. Class 5b was won by Hatem Al-Hazmi, who clocked a time of 2:10.043, ahead of Mohammed Habbal and Saeed Al-Ghamdi in second and third positions. As for the additional competition categories, Abdulaziz Al-Rumaih won Category 2 SS with a time of 1:52.767. In Category 2 SC, Saeed Al-Mouri came first with a time of 1:54.291, followed by Abdullah Al-Omari in second and Talal Al-Asimi in third. It is worth noting that the third and final round of the Saudi Toyota Championship Hill Climb will take place from 7 to 9 August. The final round is expected to play a pivotal role in further embedding motorsport culture within the Kingdom and inspiring the next generation of Saudi talent to pursue a future in this thrilling sport.
News24
20-06-2025
- Science
- News24
SA's brightest minds bring home gold medals from Pan African Mathematics Olympiad
The Olympiad is more than a competition, it's an opportunity to grow through mathematics. Maths trains pupils with problem-solving skills to boost the country's economy. The SA Mathematics Foundation said the pupils' commitment embodies their goal to strengthen maths education. South Africa has emerged as the most accomplished nation at this year's Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (Pamo) held at the University of Botswana. The Olympiad ran from 8 to 18 June. The six-member team that attended the Olympiad delivered an outstanding performance, bagging six medals – one for each participant. The annual event has been held since 1987. It falls under the auspices of the African Mathematical Union. This year's Olympiad brought together the brightest young minds, who were challenged to solve six complex problems across four mathematical disciplines – algebra, geometry, number theory and combinatorics. Professor Seithuthi Moshokoa, the executive director of the SA Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), told City Press: Olympiad mathematics is designed to challenge how one approaches problem-solving and analytical thinking. It is different from the mathematics taught at schools. Professor Seithuthi Moshokoa In the search for the thought-provoking problems, El Manar, the associate professor of mathematics at the University of Tunis, and Professor Karam Aloui, the executive secretary of the Pamo committee, said the problems committee compiled a list of potential mathematical problems, from which a jury shortlisted 12. 'The supervising committee selected the final six problems, ensuring that each covered key areas of pre-university mathematics without adhering to a fixed syllabus. This aims to challenge creativity and rigorous reasoning in equal measure,' Aloui explained. The medals were awarded in a 1:2:3 ratio for gold, silver and bronze and the leading female scorer received the title African Mathematics Queen. Team SA led in the competition and secured medals for their exceptional performance, as Erik Senekal, a Grade 11 pupil at Hoërskool Menlopark, James Prins (Grade 12, SA College High School) and Noah Greenblatt (Grade 11, King David High School) were awarded gold medals. Silver was bagged by Olivia Castleden (Grade 9, Somerset College) and Ruth Trimble (Grade 11, Pinelands High School), while WanRu Zhou (Grade 11, Parklands College) earned a bronze medal. Countries were ranked by the combined scores of their six contestants. SA claimed the top spot, followed by Tunisia and Ivory Coast, in second and third place, respectively. I am very proud of Team SA's achievements. Their dedication, resilience and innovative thinking exemplify our mission to nurture mathematical talent and empower our educators and learners. Moshokoa Senekal said writing the maths Olympiad was not just to compete, but a chance to learn and grow through the process. 'I have been someone who likes to be challenged. Someone who likes to solve problems and find solutions. This is why I have participated in mathematical Olympiads every year since Grade 1. Always see an opportunity to learn – approach each problem as a chance to discover something new.' Greenblatt said he was inspired to compete in the Olympiad because of his interest in mathematics from a young age. He also wanted to extend himself in every way he could. Enjoying this exploration was not only fulfilling but also strengthened my creativity and problem-solving ability. Overall, it was in striving to grow my talents and interest. According to Moshokoa, the pupils, coaches and mentors, teachers and parents all contributed to the team's success. The pupils worked incredibly hard to get this far, and SAMF is delighted that their hard work paid off. Moshokoa He said that the preparation for international mathematics competitions in SA started in primary school. SAMF programmes linked to international participation for high school pupils SA Mathematics Challenge for primary school pupils Old Mutual SA Mathematics Olympiad (Samo) Mathematics Problem-Solving course for primary and high school teachers Samo Olympiad Training Programme 'Teachers are trained to prepare pupils for Olympiad mathematics from an early age and each year more than 200 000 primary and high school pupils enter the first round, with only the top few advancing to the finals. Most international candidates have been doing advanced maths since primary school. 'Once the top 200 primary school pupils reach high school, they are often invited by SAMF to participate in the Samo Olympiad Training Programme. This programme consists of two training camps per year, as well as 11 weeks of intense training,' Moshokoa said. He added that the selection of international participation was based on their academic performance in the programme. Moshokoa emphasised that mathematics Olympiads and similar advanced mathematics competitions played a crucial role for individuals and the country. They prepared pupils to contribute to the country's economy through advanced problem-solving and analytical skills.
CairoScene
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- CairoScene
Rally Jameel 2025 Returns with All-Women Lineup Across Five Cities
With 45 all-female teams from 37 countries, Rally Jameel 2025 will cover 1,500 km of Saudi and Jordanian terrain. Rally Jameel is set to return for its fourth edition on April 21st, bringing together an all-women roster of drivers and navigators for one of the region's most ambitious off-road events. The 2025 edition of the rally will span six days and five cities, starting in Petra, Jordan and crossing into Saudi Arabia through Tabuk, AlUla and Hail, before finishing in Qassim on April 26th. Covering more than 1,500 kilometres of mixed terrain—from desert plateaus and mountain valleys to coastal routes—the event places a spotlight on endurance and navigation rather than speed. What sets Rally Jameel apart is not just the landscape, but the people behind the wheel: all 45 participating teams are led by women, representing 37 countries across four continents. Among them are 25 returning competitors from previous editions, joined by 20 newcomers taking part in the rally for the first time. First launched in 2022, Rally Jameel made history as the first women's off-road rally in the Middle East. Since then, it has evolved into a high-profile platform for female talent in motorsport, recognised by the FIA Women in Motorsport Committee and fully sanctioned by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF). Organised by Jameel Motorsport, the rally continues to receive backing from Toyota distributor Abdul Latif Jameel Motors. Over the years, it has helped forge new pathways for women in rally driving, offering international visibility and hands-on experience in a sport traditionally dominated by men.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Science
- IOL News
South African students to compete in International Mathematics Olympiad and Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad
The 2025 IMO Team. Top from left to right: Youkyum Kim, Pocoyo Pun, and Ellen Grant‑Smith. Bottom from left to right: Yian Xu, Moied Baleg, and Eli Williams. Image: Supplied The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) proudly unveils the select group of exceptional learners set to represent the nation at two prestigious international mathematics competitions: the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) in Australia, scheduled for 10–20 July 2025, and the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) in Botswana, taking place from 11–18 June 2025. This selection marks a significant milestone in a decade-long journey that begins as early as Grade 4 with the SAMF's South African Mathematics Challenge. To qualify for these esteemed teams, students journey through a rigorous pipeline. Learners achieving 50% or higher in the first round of the Old Mutual South Africa Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO) advance to the second round. The top 100 Juniors (Grades 8–10) and top 100 Seniors (Grades 11–12) then proceed to a final round where the top scorers are identified and invited to intensive training camps. This careful selection ensures that only the most mathematically adept learners are chosen for the international stage. The 2025 PAMO Team. Top from left to right: Ruth Trimble, WanRu Zhou, and Olivia Castleden. Bottom from left to right: James Prins, Noah Greenblatt, and Eric Senekal. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Mathematical excellence is built over years of dedication, curiosity and rigorous training,' said Prof Seithuthi Moshokoa, Executive Director of SAMF. 'Our 2025 IMO and PAMO teams exemplify SAMF's mission to empower learners, advance research, and advocate for mathematics across South Africa. We congratulate each learner and trust their achievements will inspire others to pursue the beauty of mathematics.' The IMO is regarded as the World Championship Mathematics Competition for high school students, hosting countries from across the globe every year. Since its inception in 1959 in Romania, the competition has grown significantly, now featuring over 100 participant nations, with each country permitted to field a team of no more than six contestants alongside a leader and deputy leader. This year's South African team for the IMO is a powerhouse of talent, featuring: Moied Baleg (Grade 12) from Settlers High School – represented South Africa in the IMO 2024 and was the overall winner of the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad in 2024. Youkyum Kim (Grade 12) from Reddam House, Durbanville – also an IMO 2024 representative and the overall winner of the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad in 2023, as well as the South African Mathematics Challenge winner in 2019. Eli Williams (Grade 11) from Westerford High School – an IMO 2024 representative and silver medallist in both the South African Mathematics Challenge (2019) and the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad (2022, 2023 and 2024). Pocoyo Pun (Grade 10) from Elkanah House – represented South Africa at PAMO in 2024, earning silver medals in the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad in 2023 and 2024. Yian Xu (Grade 12) from Redhill High School – an IMO 2024 representative and silver medallist in the SA Maths Olympiad from 2021 to 2024. Ellen Grant-Smith (Grade 12) from Westerford High School – represented South Africa in the 2024 IMO and earned silver at the Old Mutual SA Maths Olympiad in 2022 and 2024. The PAMO is an annual competition organised by the African Mathematical Union (AMU), wherein teams consist of six contestants (three girls and three boys), along with a team leader and a deputy team leader. The South African team for PAMO 2025 comprises the following talented individuals:
