S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)
Menu
Siphokazi Magagula is studying mathematical sciences
Sitintile Secondary School is a public school located in Kanyamazane, Mpumalanga. It is an MST (Mathematics, Science and Technology) school. In essence, all mathematics and science subjects have been made compulsory for all students in grades 10, 11 and 12. It is known for producing outstanding results and has students that obtain noteworthy distinctions all year round, such as myself. In the history of the school, I believe I am the first to be considered as a Mzansi Bright Spark. The school produces students who have travelled internationally and have voyaged across the seas to the Americans and Belgium because of extraordinary science innovations.
Is the ability to help people. A lot of people asked me how this will be possible with a mathematics degree. Well, as mathematicians we find ways or solutions to many issues that face people today. We work with doctors and health scientists to find the best medicine possible through efficient trial and error and analysis of those results; we work with financial specialist in assisting people to manage their finances; we work with teachers and sometimes we are the teachers that help students excel in mathematics so that they can strive to be anything they want to be in their lives; we work with meteorologists to help them make confident and accurate predictions about the weather and climate. There’s so much more that we can do and that’s why I’m confident about the path I’ve taken.
To be honest, mathematics and science are very difficult subjects. They require resilience, meticulous attention and a great amount of attention and practice. There is no accurate answer to this question, but I would say many people struggle because of their approach to the subject. If you tell yourself that this is difficult and you won’t be able to get it right, then you will definitely fail the subject. People must change their mindset towards it. Mathematics is a language that needs to be understood from the most basic to the most complex. It requires much practice and patience with yourself because trust me, you won’t get it right the first time. You need to try and try again as many times it takes until you get it right! I wasn’t always good in mathematics because I was impatient and would give up easily, until I decided to give myself the chance. Not long after, I became the best performing student in mathematics in my class. In grade 11, I was the best performing in mathematics in the whole district.
I am person who loves challenges. They teach perseverance and allow me to think quickly on my feet, they are also fun to do. I loved mathematics in high school so I decided to do a course in mathematical sciences. I do all kinds of mathematics, but my main focus is mathematical statistics. It is a challenging course, but I know I will reap great benefits from it. The nice thing about my course is that everything is connected. In essence, every module needs the others to make sense, which makes things much simpler than if I did mathematical statistics on its own. With my degree, I wish to be part of the group that will advance our country to advanced technologies that will bring an astronomical change to medicines, engineering, architecture and many more. But mostly I wish to contribute my mathematical skills in medicine where, along with other great researchers and doctors, I will be able to introduce efficient models through the analysis of raw data, that will help formulate and bring solutions to cure cancer, HIV and bring various solution on how to curb the impact of large pandemics such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Is the ability to help people. A lot of people asked me how this will be possible with a mathematics degree. Well, as mathematicians we find ways or solutions to many issues that face people today. We work with doctors and health scientists to find the best medicine possible through efficient trial and error and analysis of those results; we work with financial specialist in assisting people to manage their finances; we work with teachers and sometimes we are the teachers that help students excel in mathematics so that they can strive to be anything they want to be in their lives; we work with meteorologists to help them make confident and accurate predictions about the weather and climate. There’s so much more that we can do and that’s why I’m confident about the path I’ve taken.
To be honest, mathematics and science are very difficult subjects. They require resilience, meticulous attention and a great amount of attention and practice. There is no accurate answer to this question, but I would say many people struggle because of their approach to the subject. If you tell yourself that this is difficult and you won’t be able to get it right, then you will definitely fail the subject. People must change their mindset towards it. Mathematics is a language that needs to be understood from the most basic to the most complex. It requires much practice and patience with yourself because trust me, you won’t get it right the first time. You need to try and try again as many times it takes until you get it right! I wasn’t always good in mathematics because I was impatient and would give up easily, until I decided to give myself the chance. Not long after, I became the best performing student in mathematics in my class. In grade 11, I was the best performing in mathematics in the whole district.
S.E.T. for socio-economic growth
Subscribe to our eNews
Sign up to receive news on what is happening in science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa
