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03 October 2018 | Story UFS | Photo Stephen Collett
Using ethnomathematics to enhance understanding maths
An ethnomathematical approach helps to create a connection between mathematics in the classroom and the real world, said Prof Mogege Mosimege during his inaugural lecture.
The integration of ethnomathematical approaches and studies in the teaching and learning of mathematics is almost certainly bound to change how learners view and understand mathematics. It is the opinion of Prof Mogege Mosimege of the School of Natural Sciences and Technology Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of The Free State (UFS), where Prof Mosimege delivered his inaugural lecture.

His research interests include sociocultural contexts in mathematics education (ethnomathematics), mathematical modelling; indigenous knowledge systems and mathematics teacher education.

Classroom maths must connect real world 

He says an ethnomathematical approach does not only serve as a sound basis for a deeper conceptual understanding, but it also helps to create a connection between mathematics in the classroom and the real world.

Prof Mosimege says the foundation phase of the South African school mathematics curriculum indicates, amongst others, that there must be a critical awareness of how mathematical relationships are used in social, environmental, cultural and economic relations, and that there must be a deep conceptual understanding in order to make sense of mathematics.

"I want to argue the current curriculum does not give enough space for that," he says. "The minute you say deep conceptual understanding you must do things differently and not just teach formulae, but also teach why things work the way they do."

Prof Mosimege says the classroom activities teachers engage in must be able to push learners to that deep understanding phase.

He says even at the Further Education and Training Phase real-life problems should be incorporated into all mathematical sections whenever appropriate.

Teachers need to make maths real

"Contextual problems should include issues relating to health, social, economic, cultural, scientific, political and environmental issues whenever possible."

 If done this way teachers will make mathematics to become real. "It will perhaps not be as abstract as it is perceived, and will help our learners and students to understand why it is important to relate what they do to real life."

Prof Mosimege says his future work would be to look past the phase of focusing strictly on procedural aspects of mathematics and look further at an ethnomathematics bridge to mathematical modelling, which is his next area of research. He says the definitions of ethnomathematics suggest that mathematical concepts and processes would be more comfortable and better understood by the learner when they are related to sociocultural contexts as well as real-life situations.

"How can we use ethnomathematics to do problem-solving?" he asks. 

News Archive

Cardiology Unit involved in evaluation of drug for rare genetic disease
2013-01-04

Front from the left, are: Marinda Karsten (study coordinator and registered nurse),
Laumarie de Wet (clinical technologist), Charmaine Krahenbuhl (study coordinator and radiographer),
Lorinda de Meyer (administrator), Andonia Page (study coordinator and enrolled nurse);
back Dr Gideon Visagie (sub investigator), Dr Derick Aucamp (sub investigagtor),
Prof. Hennie Theron, (principal investigator) and Dr Wilhelm Herbst (sub investigator).
Photo: Supplied
09 January 2013


The Cardiology Research Unit at the University of the Free State (UFS) contributed largely to the evaluation of the drug Juxtapid (lomitapide), which was developed by the Aegerion pharmaceutical company and approved by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration). Together with countries such as die USA, Canada and Italy, the UFS’ Unit recruited and evaluated the most patients (5 of 29) for the study since 2008.  

The drug was evaluated in persons with so-called familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia (HoFH).  

Following its approval by the FDA, Juxtapid is now a new treatment option for patients suffering from HoFH. The drug operates in a unique way which brings about dramatic improvements in cholesterol counts.  

According to Prof. Hennie Theron, Associate Professor in the Department of Cardiology at the UFS and Head of the Cardiology Contract Research Unit, HoFH is a serious, rare genetic disease which affects the function of the receptor responsible for the removal of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (“bad” cholesterol) from the body. Damage to the LDL receptor function leads to extremely high levels of blood cholesterol. HoFH patients often develop premature and progressive atherosclerosis, which is a narrowing or blockage of the arteries.  

“HoFH is a genetically transmitted disease and the most severe form of hypercholesterolemia. Patients often need a coronary artery bypass or/and aortic valve replacement before the age of 20. Mortality is extremely high and death often occurs before the third decade of life. Existing conventional cholesterol-lowering medication is unsuccessful in achieving normal target cholesterol values in this group of patients.  

“The only modality for treatment is plasmapheresis (similar to dialysis in patients with renal failure). Even with this type of therapy the results are relatively unsatisfactory because it is very expensive and the plasmapheresis has to be performed on a regular basis.  

“The drug Juxtapid, as currently evaluated, has led to a dramatic reduction in cholesterol values and normal values were achieved in several people. No existing drug is nearly as effective.  

“The drug represents a breakthrough in the treatment of familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia. The fact that it has been approved by the FDA, gives further impetus to the findings,” says Prof. Theron.  

In future further evaluation will be performed in other forms of hypocholesterolemia.  

According to Prof. Theron, the findings of the study, as well as the recent successful FDA evaluation, once again confirms the fact that the UFS’ Cardiology Contract Research Unit is doing outstanding work.  

Since its inception in 1992, the Unit has already been involved in more than 60 multi-centre, international phase 2 and 3 drug studies. Several of these studies, including the abovementioned study, really affected the way in which cardiology functions.  

The UFS’ Cardiology Contract Research Unit is being recognised nationally and internationally for its high quality of work and is constantly approached for their involvement in new studies.  

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