Try GOLD - Free
SA team shines with record-breaking performance
Saturday Star
|July 26, 2025
THE South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) is celebrating a historic achievement as the national team secured its best ranking in 25 years at the recent International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) held in Australia from 10 to 20 July.
Competing against high school students from over 100 countries, the South African contingent finished in an impressive 38th place, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of its young mathematicians.
Every year, the IMO presents a formidable challenge, testing the mathematical prowess of students through complex problems over two intense days.
Each participant tackles three problems for 4½ hours each day, demonstrating not only individual expertise but also the ability to perform under pressure.
This year, South African students faced tough competition from powerhouse teams, including those from the People’s Republic of China, the United States, and the Republic of Korea, yet they rose to the occasion with remarkable skill.
This story is from the July 26, 2025 edition of Saturday Star.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Saturday Star
Saturday Star
The impact of corruption on public health services
ONE topic that continues to dominate in social circles is the medical aid industry. Most people, and even service providers in the industry, are constantly complaining about funds running out long before year-end.
4 mins
December 06, 2025
Saturday Star
Beloved sloth who wasn't slothful dies at zoo
ATHENA was a sloth who lived at the National Zoo in Washington, and, according to the zoo, was a much beloved creature who had showed that sloths need not be slothful.
2 mins
December 06, 2025
Saturday Star
Runners tackle 50km and eat at nine Taco Bells
SURE, vomiting is allowed. Discouraged but allowed, according to the bylaws of this ultramarathon.
1 mins
December 06, 2025
Saturday Star
Couple marries in YMCA pool after finding joy
THE bride walked out of the locker room and onto the pool deck wearing a tutu over her swim trunks and white water shoes.
3 mins
December 06, 2025
Saturday Star
Fines for men wearing non-compliant dishdashas
A WAVE of foreign imitations and alternative styles has prompted Oman to take tough action to preserve its unique national dress, threatening thousands of dollars in fines for men who wear the wrong sort of dishdasha.
2 mins
December 06, 2025
Saturday Star
On leave but working: the struggle to disconnect
EVERY December, South Africa exhales.
3 mins
December 06, 2025
Saturday Star
Sick ants invite destruction to save colony
SICK young ants release a smell to tell worker ants to destroy them to protect the colony from infection, scientists said Tuesday, adding that queens do not seem to commit this act of self-sacrifice.
2 mins
December 06, 2025
Saturday Star
Jesus stolen from Brussels nativity scene
A BABY Jesus has been stolen from a Christmas nativity scene in Brussels which sparked an online furore over its faceless depictions of Christianity's holy family.
1 mins
December 06, 2025
Saturday Star
Employee threat reporting critical to cyber safety
IN the second quarter of this year alone, companies were hit with close to one million phishing attempts.
3 mins
December 06, 2025
Saturday Star
Drunk raccoon passes out in bathroom after ransacking US liquor store
A VIRGINIA state-run liquor store was ransacked by a masked bandit on Friday evening, authorities said, leaving a trail of broken spirit bottles strewn across the shop floor.
2 mins
December 06, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size