South African team earns silver, two bronze medals, and an honourable mention at global maths competition
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| 2024 IMO results reflect steady rise in South Africa’s competitive mathematics standards |
South Africa’s top young mathematicians delivered a standout performance at the 65th International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), ranking 53rd out of 108 countries and securing an impressive one silver medal, two bronze medals, and one honourable mention .
🧠 Medal Haul: Excellence on the World Stage
Led by coach Dylan Nelson and deputy Kerry Porrill, the South African delegation competed against 609 students from across the globe . Among them, Ben Lucius Maree (Grade 10, Westerford High School) earned the silver medal, while Ellen Grant‑Smith (Westerford) and Moied Baleg (The Settlers High School) each brought home bronze medals . Additionally, Yian Xu (Redhill School) received an honourable mention .
📚 Rigorous Preparation, Global Links
To gear up for the Olympiad, Team South Africa attended an intensive training camp at the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences from 12 June to 3 July, alongside participants from over 30 nations . This global exposure served as crucial preparation ahead of tackling the world’s most challenging high school maths problems.
🏅 Inside the Performance
According to official IMO records:
- Ben Maree scored 22/42 to secure silver.
- Ellen Grant‑Smith earned bronze with 21/42.
- Moied Baleg also claimed bronze with 17/42.
- Yian Xu was awarded an honourable mention with a 15/42 result .
These strong individual outcomes helped vault Team South Africa into the top half of all participating countries a testament to their skill and perseverance.
🇿🇦 Building a Proud Legacy
South Africa has participated in every IMO since 1992 and historically earned 1 silver, 11 bronze medals, and numerous honourable mentions . The 2024 results continue a tradition of excellence, rooted in national contests like the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO), which identifies and nurtures talent from Grade 4 onwards .
🎙️ Voices of Pride and Reflection
Prof. Kerstin Jordaan, Executive Director of the South African Mathematics Foundation, celebrated the achievement:
“We are thrilled with Team South Africa’s performance … highlights their individual talents and underscores the important role the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad plays in developing our young mathematicians” .
Team members echoed her sentiment, sharing how the Beijing camp and international competition experience fueled both their growth and passion for mathematics .
🔭 What This Means Going Forward
Ranked 53rd against global powerhouses, South Africa’s 2024 IMO outcome reinforces the country’s upward trajectory in supporting STEM talent. With continued investment through local contests, training camps, and international exposures South Africa is steadily cementing its place as a competitive force in global mathematics. The legacy continues: students like Maree and Grant‑Smith pave paths for the next generation of maths achievers.
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