Hard work seems to be the only secret weapon of two brothers from Durbanville, who are among a group of select teenagers from all over the country to represent South Africa at two international mathematics competitions.
Minkyum Kim (Grade 11) and Youkyum Kim (Grade 9), both learners at Reddam House Durbanville, will strut their stuff at the International Mathematical Olympiad (Imo), which will be held from 6 to 16 July in Oslo in Norway.
Youkyum will also show off his skills in the SA team in the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (Pamo), which will take place from 19 to 28 June in Benguerir in Morocco.
Each Pamo team consists of only three boys and three girls.
It is the first time since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that these competitions will take place.
Imo team leader Dr Liam Baker, a lecturer at Stellenbosch University and an Imo and Pamo alumnus, explained how the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) selects the SA teams.
“We invited the top performing contestants of the 2021 Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad (Samo) to a training camp in December.
“After the camp learners must continue with their training by submitting monthly assignments to be considered for the final selection training camp in April.”
It is not the first time the elder brother is competing in these international Olympiads. Minkyum took part in both the Pamo and Imo last year.
“While I do think some people find maths easier than others, I think my ‘secret’ is mainly hard work – talent can only get you so far!” he said.
“I think maths is a skill and, like other skills such as playing an instrument, it deteriorates when you don’t practise it regularly. Because of this, I try to practise maths frequently, even if it’s a small amount.”
He is not sure yet what career he wants to follow, but “I would like to do something related to computer science.” He also plays the piano and chess.
Youkyum says he has taken an interest in mathematics and competed in mathematic competitions since he was young.
“I slowly started to build up my skills by learning from competitions and other resources. So there isn’t really a secret, it’s mostly dedication and learning over a long time,” he explains his skill.
He tries to practise mathematics at least a few times a week, “since it is important to always revise”.
Youkyum wants to have a career in mathematics or computer science. He also plays the piano and takes part in competitive coding.
The Samo, including South Africa’s participation in the Imo and Pamo, is sponsored by Old Mutual and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants and organised by the SAMF.
Prof Kerstin Jordaan, executive director of the SAMF, says she is proud of the learners in this year’s teams.
“To be selected for the international teams is one of the highlights of participation in the Samo. It takes years of preparation, starting with participating in the Nestlé Nespray South African Mathematics Challenge (SAMC) when in Grade 4.”
SAMF, a non-profit company, was founded in 2004 by the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa and the South African Mathematical Society. Its vision is to play a leading role in expanding the base of mathematics excellence in South Africa.
