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24 April 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Corlé van der Walt received her honours degree in mathematics and applied mathematics. She wants to show students that mathematics is not necessarily difficult, but that it is logical and practical.

Mathematics is undeniably part of the world – from telling time, buying groceries, to manufacturing clothing sizes, and everything in between.

This is the view of Corlé van der Walt, Junior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at the University of the Free State (UFS), who received her honours degree in mathematics and applied mathematics (with distinction) at the university’s April 2023 graduation ceremonies. 

The focus of her honours was on applied mathematics, specifically optimisation and dynamical systems. “These subjects link to my undergraduate degree, which is in industrial engineering,” says Van der Walt, who has always enjoyed and excelled in mathematics for as long as she can remember. 

Maths = skills +

She believes that mathematics is important because it helps us describe and value ourselves. “But still, mathematics is more than just the skills we learn; in the words of Albert Einstein, "Mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas".

She says that mathematics is also the foundation for other sciences, such as physics, chemistry, and engineering. “Mathematics paves the way for all other forms of science. Without the computational groundwork, it will not be possible to do physics, chemistry, engineering, or any other form of science,” she adds, remarking that we will not be able to make scientific or technological progress.

“This is where I come in; I want to teach young upcoming students’ mathematics and the power of it. I want to show students that mathematics is not necessarily difficult, but that it is logical and practical. With my current qualification, I have already been appointed as a junior lecturer and I teach precalculus to university students who would like to take calculus,” she says.

A balancing act

Although she enjoys her work, Van der Walt finds it challenging to juggle work and studies. But she overcomes these obstacles by prioritising tasks and celebrating small achievements. Her motivation also comes from the joy of seeing her students understand concepts that they previously struggled with. 

With plans to complete her master's degree in the next two years and commencing her PhD studies, Van der Walt is committed to teaching the power of mathematics to upcoming students.

News Archive

Kovsie TV Launched
2015-05-06

Victor Ngubeni, Grace Thoabala, Nangamso Dlatu, Aisha Poswa, Lesego Maakamedi, Nothando Hlope, Aldene vd Merwe and Lawrence Siyoko

“We have to change our university before we can change our country.”

 

There is a revolution at hand, and students are requesting new and exciting platforms on which they can voice themselves. Kovsie TV aims to do just that for Kovsie students. 

 

As a student initiative, the steam behind it is SRC Student Development and Environmental Affairs, Victor Ngubeni. He says that it is only right that it be by the students themselves. The launch saw many from the campus community gathered out of curiosity and excitement for the new venture. The evening started out as quite a classy frenzy, which had attendees clearly prepared for the level of broadcasting that the launch would showcase.

 

The initial idea is to increase the number of platforms where students can receive information. The Student Media portfolio, which oversees the functioning of student media platforms, aims to make Kovsie TV as autonomous as possible. As an introductory initiative, it will aid in the sharing and telling of students’ stories.

 

It is important to mention the preparation process that was endured by the many hopefuls who auditioned, hoping to make it as one of the Kovsie TV presenters. For more than three weeks, the panel of judges sieved through the contestants until they had just six rough diamonds. Then, for the first time, the audience met the faces that they would become familiar with from this point.

 

As Ngubeni stressed during his speech, Kovsie TV would not serve as propaganda machine for the SRC, as many might have asked about the relationship that could be expected between the two. The architects of Kovsie TV hope that, as a student initiative, it will inspire a new era in student activism.

 

When asked about the concept behind this new platform, Ngubeni informed us that, “the concept is to have a twenty-minute campus TV show highlighting what goes on around campus so that students know, and so that we can get them participating in campus life activities.”

 

This is a student initiative whose future will depend solely on the students themselves.

 

Presenters:

Nangamso Dlathu – Studio presenter

Grace Thoabala – Studio presenter

Lesego Maakamedi – Social events

Nothando Hlophe – Current affairs

Aldine van der Merwe – Culture events and Vox-Pop

Mbulelo Siyoko – Culture and Vox-Pop

Aisha Phoswa ? Sports

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