Latest news with #Botswana
News24
4 hours ago
- Science
- News24
SA's brightest minds bring home gold medals from Pan African Mathematics Olympiad
The Olympiad is more than a competition, it's an opportunity to grow through mathematics. Maths trains pupils with problem-solving skills to boost the country's economy. The SA Mathematics Foundation said the pupils' commitment embodies their goal to strengthen maths education. South Africa has emerged as the most accomplished nation at this year's Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (Pamo) held at the University of Botswana. The Olympiad ran from 8 to 18 June. The six-member team that attended the Olympiad delivered an outstanding performance, bagging six medals – one for each participant. The annual event has been held since 1987. It falls under the auspices of the African Mathematical Union. This year's Olympiad brought together the brightest young minds, who were challenged to solve six complex problems across four mathematical disciplines – algebra, geometry, number theory and combinatorics. Professor Seithuthi Moshokoa, the executive director of the SA Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), told City Press: Olympiad mathematics is designed to challenge how one approaches problem-solving and analytical thinking. It is different from the mathematics taught at schools. Professor Seithuthi Moshokoa In the search for the thought-provoking problems, El Manar, the associate professor of mathematics at the University of Tunis, and Professor Karam Aloui, the executive secretary of the Pamo committee, said the problems committee compiled a list of potential mathematical problems, from which a jury shortlisted 12. 'The supervising committee selected the final six problems, ensuring that each covered key areas of pre-university mathematics without adhering to a fixed syllabus. This aims to challenge creativity and rigorous reasoning in equal measure,' Aloui explained. The medals were awarded in a 1:2:3 ratio for gold, silver and bronze and the leading female scorer received the title African Mathematics Queen. Team SA led in the competition and secured medals for their exceptional performance, as Erik Senekal, a Grade 11 pupil at Hoërskool Menlopark, James Prins (Grade 12, SA College High School) and Noah Greenblatt (Grade 11, King David High School) were awarded gold medals. Silver was bagged by Olivia Castleden (Grade 9, Somerset College) and Ruth Trimble (Grade 11, Pinelands High School), while WanRu Zhou (Grade 11, Parklands College) earned a bronze medal. Countries were ranked by the combined scores of their six contestants. SA claimed the top spot, followed by Tunisia and Ivory Coast, in second and third place, respectively. I am very proud of Team SA's achievements. Their dedication, resilience and innovative thinking exemplify our mission to nurture mathematical talent and empower our educators and learners. Moshokoa Senekal said writing the maths Olympiad was not just to compete, but a chance to learn and grow through the process. 'I have been someone who likes to be challenged. Someone who likes to solve problems and find solutions. This is why I have participated in mathematical Olympiads every year since Grade 1. Always see an opportunity to learn – approach each problem as a chance to discover something new.' Greenblatt said he was inspired to compete in the Olympiad because of his interest in mathematics from a young age. He also wanted to extend himself in every way he could. Enjoying this exploration was not only fulfilling but also strengthened my creativity and problem-solving ability. Overall, it was in striving to grow my talents and interest. According to Moshokoa, the pupils, coaches and mentors, teachers and parents all contributed to the team's success. The pupils worked incredibly hard to get this far, and SAMF is delighted that their hard work paid off. Moshokoa He said that the preparation for international mathematics competitions in SA started in primary school. SAMF programmes linked to international participation for high school pupils SA Mathematics Challenge for primary school pupils Old Mutual SA Mathematics Olympiad (Samo) Mathematics Problem-Solving course for primary and high school teachers Samo Olympiad Training Programme 'Teachers are trained to prepare pupils for Olympiad mathematics from an early age and each year more than 200 000 primary and high school pupils enter the first round, with only the top few advancing to the finals. Most international candidates have been doing advanced maths since primary school. 'Once the top 200 primary school pupils reach high school, they are often invited by SAMF to participate in the Samo Olympiad Training Programme. This programme consists of two training camps per year, as well as 11 weeks of intense training,' Moshokoa said. He added that the selection of international participation was based on their academic performance in the programme. Moshokoa emphasised that mathematics Olympiads and similar advanced mathematics competitions played a crucial role for individuals and the country. They prepared pupils to contribute to the country's economy through advanced problem-solving and analytical skills.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Metalsource announces change of directors
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- METALSOURCE MINING INC. (the 'Company' or "Metalsource") (CSE: 'MSM') announces the appointment of Alex Bugden as a Director of the Company. Mr. Bugden is a Professional Geologist with over 6 years of experience in exploration, mining, and the oil and gas sectors in Canada with a particular focus in Newfoundland and Labrador. He is the director of a geological services company as well as a director of several publicly listed junior exploration companies. About Metalsource Mining The Company is engaged in the exploration and development of its mineral property assets in Botswana. The Company's objective is to locate and develop economic, precious and base metal properties of merit and to conduct its exploration program on its Aruba Project. The Aruba Project consists of five prospecting licenses totaling approximately 4,663 km2 in South-Central Botswana. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ ( under the Company's profile. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 'Joseph Cullen'Joseph Cullen, Chief Executive Officer and Director For further information, please contact: Mr. Joseph CullenPhone: 778-919-8615Email: jpacullen@ THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED OF THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASEError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Travel Daily News
3 days ago
- Travel Daily News
Botswana voted Africa's Best Safari Country 2025
This year's research analyzed over 3,100 reviews – 1,763 user reviews gathered by between January 1, 2024 and April 9, 2025 and 1,342 reviews written by 26 reputable guidebook authors who work for a variety of publishers including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer's, Bradt Guides and Footprint. Despite fierce competition among African nations renowned for offering unique wildlife encounters, Botswana emerged as the clear frontrunner. The country's appeal lies in its dramatic natural contrasts – from the arid expanses of the Kalahari Desert to the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's premier wildlife habitats. Botswana's safari experience is deeply rooted in conservation. Its low-impact, high-quality tourism model emphasizes sustainability, which continues to resonate with both first-time and repeat visitors. Notable highlights include opportunities to spot the elusive African wild dog, guided canoe trips through the delta's winding channels, and ancient San rock art sites that add a cultural dimension to nature-based exploration. The comprehensive nature of the survey, combining insights from tourists and seasoned safari experts, reinforces Botswana's standing as a leader in delivering high-caliber, responsible safari experiences on the continent. SafariBookings is the largest online marketplace for specialized safari tours in Africa. More than 1,500 specialized safari operators from around the world offer their safari tours on the SafariBookings platform. Every year more than 4 million people visit to find their perfect safari.
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Tricky Tuesday? Here's a gallery of rally-prepped Porsches in Africa to cheer you up
Kalmar Automotive's latest 'Beyond Adventure' rally looks absolutely incredible Back in November 2022, we brought you images of the Kalmar Beyond Adventure Trans-Andes Rally. Essentially, it was a group of rally-prepped air-cooled 911s and Cayennes covering 11,000km off-road in South America. And yes, it was exactly as cool as it sounds. Now, Kalmar is back with another quest. This time it's taking its customers on the Beyond Adventure Trans-Africa Rally, with a route that passes through Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Due to finish in a couple of days, these rather incredible snaps would suggest that the adventure has been quite something so far.
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Professional Photographer and These Are My Safari Photo Secrets
I learned my first lesson about safari photography the hard way. There I was, at a small airstrip in Botswana, buying an extra plane ticket for my camera bag. I'd neglected to consider the strict luggage weight restrictions on most bush planes, and I was over the limit. (It was lucky that the plane could accommodate the extra bag at all.) By the end of the trip, I hadn't touched the wide-angle lens I packed; the tripod in my bag was unused. Over 10 days, I also got a real-world education in camera settings, working in dusty conditions, and with the very real threat of running out of space on my memory cards. And to think that I had already been doing this for a living for several years. Since that fateful first trip, I've gone on several other, more successful safaris—during which I've honed the following strategies for maximizing my time in the field. Zebras in Botswana's Makgadikgadi Pans. While I'm careful about overpacking, one thing I won't compromise on is traveling with two camera bodies. I carry two Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras, an Alpha 7R III and an Alpha 7R V. I fit each one with a different lens so I don't have to swap lenses in the middle of whatever action I'm trying to capture. I typically use a 24-70 mm for wider shots of the landscape, animal herds, and creatures that come close, and a 200-600 mm super telephoto for tighter shots. I also bring along a 70-200 mm, just in case. When it comes to rare sightings—a cheetah feasting on a fresh kill, a hyena, a sable antelope—you might only have a split second to capture the moment. 'Too often, guests arrive in Africa with brand-new camera equipment they have never used,' says Shaun Stanley, the founder of Stanley Safaris. 'Practice prior to your arrival and consider investing in a photography course.' I always carry Zeiss lens wipes, microfiber cleaning cloths, and a rocket air blaster for removing dust without the risk of scratches. My lenses are also fitted with UV filters, which protect them from scratches and harsh sunshine. For sharp images, stability is key—but a traditional tripod is cumbersome inside the confines of a safari vehicle. I've learned to love the Kinesis SafariSack, a beanbag-style pouch you can rest on the side of a Land Rover or over a seat. 'Many lodges and camps have them, but you can never be certain, so I always bring my own,' says Ian Proctor, a member of the T+L A-List and president of Ultimate Africa Safaris. 'I pack it empty and then ask the lodge for some beans to fill it when I arrive.' I've gotten the dreaded 'SD card full' message many times, and it always seems to happen when I'm capturing some thrilling moment. 'It is not out of the norm to shoot upwards of a thousand images per day,' says Julian Harrison, another A-List advisor and the CEO of Premier Tours. Many lodges stock extra memory cards, but I've yet to find a solid camera shop in the bush—and you don't want to run short of space mid-game drive. Every safari is different, but I tend to rely on a few common settings. To capture fast-moving wildlife, I use quick shutter speeds, typically 1/1000 or faster. Burst mode, which takes a series of rapid-fire shots, is also essential. Fast shutter speeds often call for higher ISO settings, but too much sensitivity can create 'noise,' so I try to stay at 1600 or lower. When taking close-up or zoomed-in photos, I always focus on the animal's eyes, using an f-stop between f/2.8 and f/6.3 to give a shallow depth of field that makes for a beautiful blurred background. Whether your equipment cost $2,000 or $20,000, you'll want to protect that investment: camera-specific plans from Lemonade, Progressive, and State Farm cover your gear almost anywhere in the world. Some homeowner's policies also include coverage. 'If you're serious about photography, I suggest paying extra for a private safari vehicle,' Stanley says. 'That way you can bring all your equipment without imposing on other guests.' With their plentiful game and spectacular scenery, big-name national parks are famous for a reason—but also draw larger crowds. 'Photographers should seek out private concessions, where no more than three vehicles can gather around a particular animal sighting,' Stanley says. These also tend to have fewer restrictions on access, meaning you can arrive before sunrise or stay out after sunset to capture wildlife in the dreamy light of dawn or dusk. I'm certainly guilty of spending too much time behind the lens, so I've made a point of, every now and then, simply putting down my camera and soaking it all in. A version of this story first appeared in the July 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Animal Magic.'
