Bright future for this maths genius
BRONZE: WINS MEDAL AT 2020 MATHS OLYMPIAD
Finds bank sponsor to further studies at the University of Cape Town.
South Africa’s first black International Mathematical Olympiad medallist and Soweto’s shining star Kgaugelo Bopape has done it again with a 97% pass in mathematics, despite the Covid-19 pandemic that disrupted schooling last year.
The 18-year-old, who received 86.4% in matric, is looking forward to studying mathematics and computer science at the University of Cape Town this year, with all expenses paid by a banking sponsor, attracted by the diminutive teenager’s outstanding performance in mathematics.
He is planning to study towards becoming a mathematics researcher, his dream career since he was a little boy.
The maths whizz-kid from Horizon International High School in Turffontein made headlines last year, when he became the first black student to win a medal in the international contest’s 62 years of existence.
The school’s mathematics head of department, Huseyin Akinci, was jubilant about Bopape’s achievements and that of his fellow matriculants.
“We are very much proud of Kgaugelo and his exceptional achievements, but I want to congratulate all 2020 matriculants, regardless of their results.
“Even the failures can teach us a lot and realising dreams may take time. We learned to value our friends, health and time from this pandemic.
“Well done, Kgaugelo, well done to the class of 2020; have a bright future and an amazing life,” he said.
Akinci said with the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus, 2020 was a tough year for pupils, parents and teachers as it affected the motiva
We are proud of Kgaugelo and his achievements but I want to congratulate all 2020 matriculants regardless of their results.
Huseyin Akinci Horizon International High School
tion and success of Grade 12s to achieve their full potential.
“Even though we had continued online classes and extra tuition programmes, it took some time for many pupils to get over the shock and focus,” Akinci said.
A total of 600 pupils from all over the world entered the 61st International Mathematical Olympiad (three from South Africa), which Bopape had been entering since Grade 8.
He was the second black student to enter the competition and the first to walk home with a medal – taking bronze in a ceremony held virtually in Cape Town through a link to Moscow, Russia.
The event was supposed to be held in Russia but was virtual due to Covid-19.
Bopape was all smiles this week as he collected his results from school and saw his future shining brightly as he held the piece of paper.
“Last year, Covid-19 made our lives difficult, but I focused on my studies,” he said.
Despite his small build and short stature, his academic prowess has become his weapon.
“I was always top in my class in all grades and I gained respect from my schoolmates, and bullies feared to touch me,” he said.
“My friends were always around me, wanting to be like me, and their presence formed a protective shield against any threat like bully boys,” Bopape said.