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19 July 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Charl Devenish
MEC for Education, Dr Tate Makgoe, presents an award to Khesa Maphakiso from Beacon High School at the ceremony.
MEC for Education, Dr Tate Makgoe, presents an award to Khesa Maphakiso from Beacon High School at the ceremony.

Projections indicate that by 2020 about 80% of all jobs will require some level of competency in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Also, given the rising unemployment rate and the subsequent demand for entrepreneurial skills in the past few years, STEM education has become a priority for South Africa.

A step in the right direction

Equipping young people to be efficient in the world of work and business is a major driver behind the country’s education system. The MEC for Education in the Free State reiterated the importance of STEM subjects. Dr Tate Makgoe addressed about 200 top-performing Grade 12 learners from quintile 1-3 schools in the province who were attending the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (SAICA) maths camp.

Making mathematics fashionable

The week-long camp recently closed with an awards ceremony which was held on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS). Nine of the creams of the crop of matric learners were honoured for their achievements in mathematics, physical science, and accounting.

Zinhle Gumbi, from Morena Mokopela Secondary School, one of the three Mathematics Top Achiever award recipients has become more determined to choose a maths-related profession. “I have told myself that any career I follow must include maths. Dr Tate Makgoe said we must prove to people that the black child can do it.”

Emerging as one of the Accounting Top Achievers was Albert Ramatsekane from Tsoseletso Secondary School who intends to pursue a Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification. “The camp has boosted my confidence. Now I can choose the CA stream without thinking twice.” 

Sowing the seed and reaping the fruits

Accounting lecturer Mojalefa Mosala was satisfied with the results of the camp. “I am happy to see many familiar faces in my classes who have attended previous camps. It means we’re doing something right.”

Mosala, a former assistant camp organiser, has confidence in the project as it “affords a rare opportunity to learners who have not been exposed to information, the higher learning environment, study skills and motivational figures to experience all of these”. 
Kovsies prides itself in partnering with industry stakeholders to build the future of the country, one maths camp at a time.



News Archive

UFS one of four to present course
2006-08-08

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the University of the Free State (UFS), the Chief Directorate: Population and Development in the national Department of Social Development, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Leadership for Environment and Development Southern Africa (LEAD-SA) for the presentation of a short course titled Leadership Training in Sustainable Development:  The Population, Environment and Development Nexus for provincial and municipal managers.  The UFS is one of four universities in the country that have been chosen to implement this short course.  The course acts as skills transfer medium in population, development and the environment. 

During the signing of the memorandum of understanding, was from the left front:  Dr Lillian Marutle (UNFPA), Prof Magda Fourie (Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS) and Prof Sosten Chiotha (Director of LEAD-SA).

Back:  Mr Jacques van Zuydam (Chief Director: Population and Development), Mr Mpho Nenwelli (from the Chief Directorate Population and Development) and Prof André Pelser (lecturer at the UFS Department of Sociology and course co-ordinator). Photo: Lacea Loader

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