Rose-Mary Haufiku
Fillipus Amakali of the Ohangwena region and Diana Nathinge of the Khomas region were recently recognised as the best male and female learners of the Namibia Mathematics Olympiad (NMO) 2021 competition.
The two each received N$1 000, trophies and certificates, while Amakali received a laptop and Nathinge a Tablet for their efforts.
The NMO is a yearly competition in which high school pupils from all over Namibia compete against one another in solving maths problems. Its mission is to make science and technology more accessible to Namibian students, community members and educators through promoting mathematics in general.
“It is a vehicle to encourage and challenge mathematically-gifted young people to take a more active interest to study science, technology and innovation,” said the master of ceremonies at the awards ceremony, Ricardo |Gôagoseb, a broadcasting journalist and media personality.
Khomas was also awarded as the best region in the competition, after its learners performed well in the team and individual categories.
St. Paul’s College and Windhoek Gymnasium private schools, both from the Khomas region, had to choose between mathematics or science equipment worth N$10 000 each, while the Epembe Combined School, PH Muandingi Junior Secondary School and Ponhofi Secondary School, all from the Ohangwena region, will receive similar equipment worth N$4 000 each.
In the team category, the Khomas team of Nathinge, Ivan du Plooy and Brittany van Rooyen each received N$2 000, mathematics equipment and certificates. The runners-up were six learners from the Ohangwena region, and each received N$1 000, mathematical equipment and certificates.
In the top-10 individual awards category, 13 learners from seven different regions each were awarded N$500, mathematics equipment, trophies and certificates. In this category, some learners shared the same rankings.
Meanwhile, medals were given out for the following percentages: bronze (50% to 59%), silver (60% to 79%), and gold (80% to 100%).
The best two performers, Nathinge and Amakali, were given gold medals each, while 22 learners received silver medals, and 17 received bronze medals. Certificates were awarded to 18 learners who scored between 40% and 49%.
The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) hosted the event in 2021.
The Namibian Ports Authority, a long-term collaborator with the NCRST, the Petroleum Training and Education Fund, Embassy of Italy in Pretoria (SA), and the London Mathematical Society, funded the 2021 NMO.