GALLERY: Young maths geniuses struggle for funds, government will not help

Two brilliant maths students are in desperate need for funding to compete in San Francisco in December.

Didinthle Malebane (8) and Koketso Ramorola (8), are doing maths far beyond their ages and age group capacities.

“Their mathematics performance is already on a Grade 9 student level,” said their maths teacher Alfred Mkhabela.

Mkhabela has been giving them lessons since 2012 every week, two days a week.

He said their mothers are always there – supportive and committed and they come to every class with their daughters.

Malebane and Ramorola competed in the CMaths nationals this year and won the opportunity to go to the Pama Awards in San Francisco on 29 December.

CMaths has been sponsoring their books, competition, travel fees and the lessons they get twice a week.

Didinthle’s mother, Lerato Malebane said, “I am very proud of my daughter. Even though she comes from poverty and studies in a one-room home, she still manages to do her best in school.”

Koketso’s mother, Lebogang Ramorola said, “I am glad my little girl will have the opportunity to make a better life for herself. We go to sleep late almost every night while she practises her maths.”

The two pupils have been to four maths competition since 2013 and have been doing great ever since.

The families and the teacher have estimated that they will need to raise R90 000 in total to fund the trip for the pupils and their mothers.

Both mothers feel uncomfortable letting their daughters go to San Francisco without them, as they need them to practise and they are also not fluent in English language.

Children from CMaths will be put up to a challenge against a CEO or a public figure to raise awareness and funds to facilitate the two girls for their trip.

The challenge is called Making Magic With Maths.

When asked if the Gauteng Department of Education would help sponsor the initiative, the department’s spokesperson, Phumla Sekhonyane, said, “The competition is the community based initiative sponsored by CMaths, a non-governmental organisation. According to the school, the organisation will take care of participants’ travel fees, accommodation and catering.”

However, Mkhabela reaffirmed the fact that the organisation could only sponsor the children’s visas and passports.

All the help they can get from the public would help them to go to the competition and hopefully, get more opportunities to better their lives.

If the public wants to donate, please contact Agnetha Olivier of CMaths.

Details: Agnetha Olivier, admid@cmaths.co.za or 086 117 3627.