The School of Education under the Faculty of Arts and Design at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) made history by hosting the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA) KwaZulu-Natal Regional Congress, for the first time at the Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday, 07 June 2025. AMESA is deemed to be the voice of Mathematics Education in South Africa, representing the core areas of knowledge for the discipline and its members at provincial and national level.
The massive KZN Regional Congress hosted over 200 Mathematics teachers and offered an exciting combination of research presentations, symposium, teacher workshops and professional development opportunities. These presentations, which are earmarked, were focused on key educational developments and research in mathematics education, both across Africa and globally. Participants also had the opportunity to engage with educators and experts, gaining insights into research being conducted in various regions of the continent and around the world.
AMESA KZN Regional Deputy Chairperson, Dr Nombulelo Mbokazi, warmly welcomed attendees with her opening remarks, effectively setting the tone for a productive and engaging day. Her words likely highlighted the significance of the gathering and energised the audience, paving the way for meaningful discussions and interactions.
“I would like to welcome each and every mathematician in the house. Each and every one of you here must feel free and feel at home. Your presence is highly appreciated. We are having this function of this magnitude because of your presence so I hope by the time you live you will be a changed person,” said Dr Mbokazi.
Dr Nonhlanhla Mthiyane, Midlands Campus Director at DUT, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the AMESA Provincial leadership team for hosting the event at DUT. She then provided a concise overview of the theme, skilfully introducing the guest speakers and setting the stage for their insightful presentations.
“It is a special day indeed, because about two months ago we were celebrating the launch of the Umgungundlovu branch of AMESA in this same room. Being chosen to host the regional congress is a testament to the institution’s growing influence and a great honor for the School of Education.. This year’s thought-provoking theme of AMESA is Mathematics for a Changing world: Artificial Intelligence, Heritage and Human-Centred Futures,” said Dr Mthiyane.
Amongst the keynote speakers were: DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, who attended this Congress in his capacity as a mathematician. He was joined by Professor Alfred Msomi, Professor Deonarain Brijlall, Professor Pholoho Morojele , who is the Executive Dean: Faculty of Arts and Design at DUT and Mr Bongani Simelane, amongst others.
Delivering a thought-provoking analysis on the challenges facing Mathematics Education in society, DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Thandwa Mthembu took a deep dive into the disparity between South Africa’s excellence in other areas and its struggles in Mathematics, highlighting the need for improvement in this critical field.
“South Africa prides itself on being an exceptional nation, often comparing favourably to other countries on the continent. However, when it comes to Mathematics education, a crucial cornerstone of development, the country falls short. Despite the politician’s aspirations for greatness, South Africa’s performance in Mathematics is underwhelming, highlighting a disconnect between ambition and reality,” said Prof Mthembu.
Prof Deonarain Brijlall’s presentation on “Mathematics for a Changing World: Artificial Intelligence, Heritage, and Human-Centered Futures” brought a fresh perspective to the mathematics community. His plenary talk proposed an alternative approach to teaching mathematics, emphasizing its significance in driving social, economic, and technological progress both locally and globally. The presentation likely sparked valuable discussions on rethinking mathematics education for a rapidly evolving world.
“Mathematics student performance has been for decades recognised as a problem in society. This is the case in schools and higher education institutions, especially at the undergraduate level. It is thought that if one understands how students think when engaging in mathematics activities then one might be able to improve on ways of making the learning of mathematics more meaningful,” said Prof. Brijall.
Submissions that were made by academics, district officials and other professionals, teachers and students across the KwaZulu-Natal were then presented. The call was made to include research papers which are original research findings, theoretical discussions, systematic reviews and case studies, as well as poster presentations, visual presentations of innovative projects and research. There were working groups, panels and roundtables, which entailed discussions on critical issues and emerging trends in the teaching and learning of mathematics.
Pictured: DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, speaking at the AMESA KZN Congress.
Thubelihle Dumakude /Simangele Zuma/Waheeda Peters
