Morui (11) and Moruo Machaka (9) are King’s School West Rand’s international maths champions.
These girls were both nominated to be part of the 25 pupils from various regions of the country to present South Africa at the annual Abacus Maths and Mental Arithmetic International Championship hosted by Global Association of Japanese Soroban and Mental Arithmetic in Singapore on 2 October.
Moruo is now the champion in Level 8 (difficulty level) and Morui has been placed second in Level 7, which is the highest and most complex level. “We as parents are very proud of their achievement and hope this story will inspire more parents to start investing in the development of their children’s mathematical competencies. The country is in need of such, ” said the girls’ parents, pastors Chris and Mpho Machaka.
Morui and Moruo have been learning the skill of abacus maths since they were both in Grade RR. Over time, with much commitment, discipline, dedication and having experienced teachers (Quinette Brits and Shane Bester), this skill has taught them to mentally calculate sums and solve mathematical problems that most adults require a calculator to work out. Through using the skill of mentally visualisation, the Japanese abacus, they can give an answer in just a few seconds.
Morui and Moruo have been competing since the age of six and have both consistently come in the top three of each competition they have participated in since 2011, or in Moruo’s case, since 2013.
