Dr Sinobia Kenny, the Academic Manager at AIMSSEC. Image: Supplied

Mathematics can – and in many ways should be – a festival of fun, exploration and wondrous discovery. This fact is being brought into sharp focus at the University of the Western Cape-hosted Mega Maths Festival.

The festival is a national initiative in partnership with the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET), the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS South Africa), and the European Union. (EU).

In short, the project is a dynamic national celebration of mathematics as a language of opportunity, connection and transformation. The festival involves a gathering of learners, educators, researchers, students, policy-makers and industry leaders from across the country to engage with maths not only as a subject, but as a tool for shaping futures, especially in under-served communities.

According to Dr Sinobia Kenny, the Academic Manager at AIMSSEC, the schools enrichment centre of AIMS South Africa, one of the Festival's key aims is to imbue and nurture a love of Maths in learners from rural and township schools. Many heartwarming stories of the triumph of hope over despair are already emanating from the project.

Jay Tshitenge, 18, from Masibambane Secondary School in Kraaifontein. Image: Supplied

Don Carlos and Jay Tshitenge, both 18, from Masibambane Secondary School in Kraaifontein, were plucked – so to speak – from obscure, impoverished backgrounds and brought onto the programme. They agreed that it has changed their lives.

Dr Kenny said she met the two through her Computational Thinking project: “They showed great potential and kept returning to help on Saturdays, unprompted.

“When I heard they were facing personal challenges, I reached out to them and have been supporting them since, including offering them a place to stay on campus with the rural teachers for the duration of the Mega Maths project. They have huge potential and I wanted them not to give up and to realise that we care for and support them as best we can.”

Tshitenge, who wants to become a computer scientist, said: “AIMS has taken us under their wing. This is a truly life-changing opportunity for us”.

Carlos, who wants to be a software engineer in the future, agreed. “This initiative has brought to the fore in us the fun side of Maths. Had it not been for Dr Kenny, I do not know where I would be today. She has become a mother to us, and given us hope for a brighter future”.

Don Carlos, 18, from Masibambane Secondary School in Kraaifontein. Image: Supplied

Lwandle Ngantweni, also from Masibambane Secondary, said the initiative has opened up a whole new world for her. “Our mentors help us see the world after Matric. Before this project, I never knew that Maths was my thing. I do now.”

Michaela Loff, a teacher at Tuscany Glen High School in Bluedowns, said when she first joined the programme, “I felt like a learner again. It gave me a whole new perspective on Maths, and what it is really about”.

Vuyokazi Nogwemte, a teacher at Encotsheni Primary in Khayelitsha, says AIMS has played a huge role in developing her pupils' interest in Maths. “They love learning this way, and we are seeing improvement in all areas,” she explained.

Prof Robert Balfour, UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, said: “UWC is grateful for the partnerships with our key stakeholders, the DHET and AIMS, which have enabled this event. Mathematics is indeed our 13th National Language, and is one of the key ingredients to economic progress”.

Maths, it seems, is indeed being made marvelous, and opening up vistas and new horizons that these young learners could only previously ever have dreamed of.