Extraordinary teacher in mathematics and a UNIZULU alumni

University of Zululand (UNIZULU) Alumni, Solomon MONDLANE who is currently a teacher in Nkandla CMC (SIGANANDA CIRCUIT), was born in Mpumalanga Province.  Mondlane discovered his love for Mathematics at the tender age of ten. He has a fond memory of when he wrote a Mathematics test and received a mark of 49 out of 50 and went straight to his late Maths teacher, Mrs T Shongwe, to ask why he didn’t get a full mark. After the explanation he received from his teacher that he had made a simple error of forgetting to insert a bracket in his sum, his passion for Mathematics grew from then and he has never looked back, thus he is passionate about sharing his knowledge with the learners.

In 2021 Mondlane entered NATIONAL TEACHER AWARD where he was nominated by circuit manager. His nomination was because of the impact he has in mathematics and in the circuit as a lead educator for mathematics, because of the methodology and teaching strategies he has acquired after he completed his NPDE (UNIZULU) 2015.

“In March 2023 I received a from the Minister of Education Angie Motshekga inviting me to attend DBE- China Mathematics Seminar. The Department of Basic Education – Chinese Embassy partnership has conceptualised a teacher capacity building programme for South African Mathematics teachers and was a follow up to the online capacity building seminar done in 2022.” Explained Mondlane

The objectives of the seminar were to enhance the relationship in education between the people’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa. By giving effect to the NTA support by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, to discuss ways and tools for effective teaching of Mathematics to Primary and Secondary students in both countries, Encourage a rigorous implementation of digital learning in STEM subjects in its varied forms. Encourage the establishment of more MATH Labs. Monitor and support their effective use,

Mondlane strongly believe that through teacher development session the mathematics culture in the society can be uplifted.

Unpacking his Career aspects, he said that “as a Deputy Principal in my current school, my future success in a profession is to be a School Principal where I will be promoting STEM subjects as they are the need of the entire country. Or as a Circuit Manager or Subject Specialist to advice and mentor schools offering Pure mathematics in schools.as a visionary is to see all the excelling teacher in mathematics upgrade themselves in programme.” Concluded Mondlane

• Precious Shamase