The Osizweni Science Centre was filled with the presence of Mathematics and Science when it hosted the annual Minquiz Olympiad on 17 May 2018. Twenty two schools competed in this year’s Olympiad. Schools in the Highveld region of Mpumalanga have competed in Minquiz since 2010, making this year the ninth Olympiad.

MinQuiz, an initiative of Mintek, seeks to stimulate interest in careers involving Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI), especially in minerals and metallurgy, as well as to promote an awareness of the importance of minerals and metallurgy to South Africa.

The event is also used as an opportunity to inform learners of the various opportunities and bursaries offered by Mintek while representatives of Mintek and Osizweni motivate learners through inspiring addresses focusing on building them as individuals and giving guidance to them in regards to their tertiary studies.

Each school enters a team of three Grade 12 top Mathematics and Science learners. Learners compete as individuals through a written test while the top five schools in each category, Gold and Platinum, progress to the oral round of the quiz based on the teams aggregate written test score.

This year’s Platinum category winners are KI Twala Secondary school with Evander High school placing second and Zendelings Post placing third. In the Gold category Thistle Grove Secondary school were the victors with Hoerskool Ermelo placing second and Jandrell Secondary School placing third.

The two learners from each category who achieve the highest results in the written test will represent Osizweni at the National MinQuiz Olympiad to be hosted on 18 and 19 July 2018. This year ‘s team is Ngqulunga Samkelo (Jandrell Secondary School), Dlamini Wiseman (Thobelani Secondary School),Jennah Lewis (Hoerskool Emerlo) and Rose Jerry Thanjan ( Evander High).

“We have been a part of the Minquiz Olympiad for ninth years now. Each year we continue to see the excitement and exposure that this Olympiad gives to our schools. We thank Mintek for their efforts that inspires learners to follow careers that our country has a shortage in.” said Angela Stratford, Osizweni Marketing and PR Practitioner.

Osizweni is a Sasol initiative that aims to support and uplift Mathematics and Science Education. For more information on Osizweni visit the website www.osizweni.org.za or contact us on 017 689 2005/6 or email on info@osizweni.org.za.

Jeff Baloyi, Mintek.Jenna Lewis(Hoerskool Ermelo) who was awarded for best learner(Gold catregory) in the writtten test,Carika Van Dyk(Teacher)  and Themba Kubheka (Osizweni representative)

Jeff Baloyi, Mintek.Learners who will be representing the province or centre at the Minquiz Nationals (Rose Jerry Thanjan,Jenna Lewis, Wiseman Dlamini,Samkelo Ngqulunga and Themba Kubheka (Osizweni representative)

Jeff Baloyi, Mintek.Rose Jerry Thanjan(Evander High) who was awarded for best learner(Platinum catregory) in the writtten test,Anelia Fourie(Teacher)  and Themba Kubheka (Osizweni representative)