The human side of mathematics
Editors note - coming soon
topic 1 - Mathematics in everyday life
topic 2 - Why do math?
What mathematics taught me about suffering
Jan Abraham Smuts discovers important life lessons through the self-study of mathematics. Read more
The Human Form of Mathematics
Bonolo Mohale reveals how maths is found in our everyday lives and how a more humane approach to mathematics requires patience and care – from students and their teachers. Another beauty extension of already known contribustion: “ Bonolo Mohale reveals the human value of Mathematics”. Read more
Lessons that came with mathematics
Explore the transformative power of mathematics beyond numbers and equations in Jade Daniels’ thought-provoking column. Discover how mathematics has shaped her problem-solving abilities, reasoning skills, and even her capacity for communication and connection, offering valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. Read more
Maths and Social Media: Friends or Enemies?
In this thought-provoking exploration, Vinicio Gomez delves into the intersection of mathematics and social media, offering a fresh perspective on how educators can navigate this digital landscape. By posing engaging questions and promoting critical thinking, Gomez advocates for harnessing the power of mathematics to bridge divides and foster meaningful dialogue. Read more
Mathematics and Music
In this article, Christopher Jeneker explores just a few of the ways in which mathematics and music are intricately linked. Read more about how the structure and precision of mathematics and the beauty and emotion of music have more in common than you may imagine. Read more
The Two Faces of Mathematics
Paul Ernest discusses the contrast between the beneficial side of mathematics and the dangerous uses and abuses of it. Read more
Marks should not compel you from learning mathematics; you might meet it on the way up
Joel Hamis Spea explores the intricate relationship between mathematics and real-world applications, highlighting the importance of logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Read more
Table of Contents
topic 2 - Why Mathematics Matters?
Postgraduate studies and research are complex endeavours
Pursuing a PhD and finding your supervisor is not for the faint-hearted. Yet in this article, Mridul Ghosh writes how tenacity and patience got him where he is today. Read more
The Hidden Message of Mathematics
In this article Cayla shares her passion for mathematics. She celebrates the skill of critical thinking that learning mathematics can help us develop. She encourages us to unlock the hidden message of mathematics and see the beauty in it. Read more
Break a leg with Math’s
Emmanuel David Maforo describes his personal stigma, path and way to improving math learning. He shares how to break a leg with maths. Read more
How mathematics education can impact our “school-leaving” pupils
From Johannesburg to Japan, a bird’s eye view of mathematics education and its impact on scholars. Gabriel Janse van Rensburg speaks about the power of a good story and that the goal of a maths teacher is to empower boys and girls to achieve self-actualisation, to get them to be ready for the job market and keep them keen to keep learning after they leave school. Read more
topic 3 - How to strive in mathematics?
The lessons Mathematics has taught me
Philip tells us the life lessons that he picked up while focusing on mathematics at high school, and how valuable this has proven now, and will be in the future. Read more
Warrior in the garden
What lessons can be learned from the great Chinese military strategist and philosopher Sun-Tzu and his book The Art of War? Tristan Barnard shares how Sun-Tzu’s philosophy has helped him face higher education and Mathematics. Read more
The Triumph of Perseverance
From fear to appreciation: Deogratius Albert Bwimbo writes about his mathematical journey and his love-hate relationship with the subject. Read more
Addressing Challenges in South African Mathematics Education
Prof. Jonathan Jansens identifies key challenges in South African mathematics education, including teaching without meaning, fear of failure, curriculum constraints, teacher content knowledge, pedagogical shortcomings, poor numeracy foundations, and lack of educator enthusiasm. He urges mathematicians to engage in early-grade teaching to enhance mathematical competence and address these issues. Read more
topic 4 - Inspiring stories
My journey to becoming a mathematics teacher
Discover the inspiring journey of Duygu Reçani, a passionate math teacher breaking barriers and fostering a love for mathematics among her students. Read more
Girls’ Challenges To Education
Dr R Poornima describes the educational rough journey towards the position she is right now. She reminds that, endurance, persistence, determination and consistency are the sole weapons towards educational achievements she has today. Read more
From Late-Night Math Enthusiast to Master’s Degree Pursuer: A Maasai Student’s Journey
Meet Vaileth Mgema a determined Maasai woman from Tanzania who defied the odds and excelled in mathematics, pursuing a master’s degree as the sole student in her class. Her inspiring journey shows that with dedication, late-night study sessions, and unwavering passion, mathematics can be conquered by anyone. Read more
My Mathematical Journey is Marked with an Emotional Involvement in Mathematics
Elena Hadzieva’s column explores the captivating relationship between mathematics and art, highlighting the aesthetic beauty found within mathematical concepts and their influence on various forms of art. Her journey reflects how mathematics can be perceived as a source of supreme beauty, fostering a deeper appreciation for the subject. Read more
Editor's Note
WISAARKHU aims to provide a diversity, not necessarily a jointly exhaustive collection, of perspectives on a chosen theme related to the learning and teaching of Mathematics. It is a magazine for inspiring, for creating awareness, for sharing experiences, for communicating, for connecting, and for reflecting.
It is not a research journal. It does not purport to endorse any particular opinion or approach to the learning and teaching of mathematics. Its readership is intended for all from across the globe with an interest in mathematics.
Each perspective expressed in the content of WISAARKHU is that of the author. It does not purport to reflect the opinions of the editor or Stellenbosch University or the affiliations of the authors.
Each theme aligned with one of the quarterly Psychology of Abstract Mathematics discussions. The choice of each discussion theme is inspired by a challenge encountered in the learning and teaching of mathematics;
In this way the theme ‘Competition or Collaboration in Mathematics’ evolved for the first volume of WISAARKHU. There are four topics each speaking to a sub-theme of the overall theme that evolved from the contributions, namely, perspectives within and beyond mathematics, voices of students, impact on the self, influence on learning and teaching of mathematics. Throughout the magazine you will meet students, mathematicians, teachers, psychologists, educationalists, and others interested in mathematics.
No matter your interest in or experience of Mathematics, I hope you will read this magazine acknowledging the intention with which it has been written.
Prof. Ingrid Rewitzky
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
