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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

Sello, Brits and Van Vuuren shine at Varsity athletics
2017-03-10

Description:Varsity athletics   Tags: Varsity athletics  longdesc=

Elmé Smith represented Kovsies in the 100 m
and 200 m at the Varsity athletics event in
Potchefstroom.
Photo: Mario van de Wall/SASPA

Jovan van Vuuren, Maryke Brits, and Tsepang Sello were our big stars at the first Varsity athletics event in Potchefstroom. They all finished first in their items and helped their Kovsies team claim an excellent overall third position among eight universities.

The jumps by Van Vuuren and Brits (both long jump) of 7.73 m and 6.11 m respectively were the longest, while Sello’s time in the 800 m was 2:12.01. Brits not only won the long jump, but was also second in the 100 m hurdles (13.65 s).

UFS outperform the likes of Maties, UJ

The Kovsies eventually bragged with three first, seven second, and two third spots on the podium. They ran, jumped and threw, bagging altogether 12 podium spots to accumulate 14 902 points (with an average of 993). Tuks, with 15 604 (1 040), and Pukke with 15 252 (1 017) was respectively first and second on 3 March 2017. Our team outperformed universities like the Maties and the University of Johannesburg.

Rynardt, Kesa claim second place

Big names such as Rynardt van Rensburg (800 m, second in 1:50.49) and Kesa Molotsane (1 500 m, second in 04:29.31) also scored podium spots. The second Varsity athletics meeting will take place in Pretoria on 31 March 2017.

Team results in Potch:

1. Tuks 15 604 (Top 15’s average: 1 040)
2. Puk 15 252 (1 017)
3. Kovsies 14 902 (993)
4. UJ 14857 (990)
5. Maties 14317 (954)
6. UWC 14068 (938)
7. Madibaz 13721 (915)
8. TUT 13463 (898)

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