Awqaf SA has launched its 11th annual Maths Workshop series, offering free support to Grade 10-12 learners across South Africa, starting this weekend.
The community-based organisation’s workshops are designed to help learners who struggle with Maths as well as those who show promise in the subject. Past sessions have reached learners in Soweto, Ladysmith, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
“The high numbers of attendance over the past decade shows that the workshops are making their mark,” said Awqaf SA’s CEO, Mickaeel Collier.
“As a community-based organisation, our role is to fill the gaps when the system is under pressure. The learners are eager to improve, and we are proud to lead this intervention.”
Tackling the growing skills gap
Collier said Maths skills are vital for the careers of the future.
“Careers of the futures such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) all require Maths. Despite South Africa’s economic potential, poor learner performance widens the country’s skills gap and the growing high youth unemployment rate.”
Maths facilitator Mohammad Khota, described by Collier as the driving force behind the programme, said the workshops are built to give learners the tools they need to succeed.
“Awqaf SA’s workshop series confronts this challenge by giving learners the strategy and confidence to approach their exams like a ‘War room’,” he said.
“This life changing experience lays a well-planned foundation for the learners’ futures.”
Collier added that Khota’s unique sense of humour has helped thousands of learners change the way they think about maths, grasp complex concepts and develop a genuine liking for the subject.
Results that speak for themselves
In 2025 85 000 learners took part in the workshop series, with a record 700 attending at Spine Road High School. The 2026 series aims to match or surpass that reach.
An annual competition measures the effect of the programme. Grade 12 learner Armani Rahman scored 97% in her final Maths exam and is now studying Medicine. Jayda Lee Pillay from Strandfontein High School scored 87% and, currently in Grade 12, was hope to study Actuarial Science at UCT.
Learners have also gone on to unlock scholarships, bursaries and university placements as a result.
Workshop details
The sessions run as hybrid workshops; learners can attend in person at partner schools or follow along via Awqaf SA’s YouTube platform. Registration is free, making the workshops open to any learner with an internet connection.
The programme runs in partnership with the Western Cape Education Department, Spine Road High, Portlands High and Luhlaza High School.
Grade 12 — Spine Road High School
Maths Paper 1 (Algebra): Saturday 23 May 2026 | 08:30-15:00
Maths Paper 2 (Geometry): Sunday 24 May 2026 | 08:30-15:00
Grade 11 — Portlands High School
Maths Paper 1 (Algebra): Saturday 30 May 2026 | 08:30-15:00
Maths Paper 2 (Geometry): Sunday 31 May 2026 | 08:30-15:00
Grade 10 — Luhlaza High School
Maths Paper 1 (Algebra): Saturday 6 June 2026 | 08:30-15:00
Maths Paper 2 (Geometry): Sunday 7 June 2026 | 08:30-15:00
Online registration is required to confirm in-person attendance and to receive the YouTube stream link.
For more information and to register, visit: https://awqafsa.org.za/mathsmay2026/
ALSO READ: Beyond Matric: How to transform your mid-term results into matric final exam success
