“Do the Math”: US Man Discusses South Africa’s Maths Team That Placed 38th at Global Competition

• A Joburg content creator shared a viral American man's video discussing South Africa's maths team that placed 38th out of 110 countries
• The American man made comments about the racial makeup of the team and explained his views on why certain groups perform better
• South Africans flooded the comments section defending their rainbow nation and sharing their own experiences with maths education in the country

A Joburg content creator sparked major debate when he shared an American man's viral video discussing South Africa's maths team performance at a global competition.

Digital creator @mzwandile.ngalo from Vanderbijlpark shared the clip on the fourth of August, which quickly went viral with over 535,000 views, 7,800 reactions and 2,200 comments.

The video features an American man breaking down South Africa's recent performance at the International Mathematics Olympiad, where the country's team placed 38th out of 110 participating nations. This marked South Africa's best result in 25 years at the prestigious competition held in Australia.

Read also

"The generation that will change everything": SA moved by toddler singing national anthem

In the viral clip, the American man examines the racial composition of South Africa's maths team and shares his thoughts on why certain racial groups excel in mathematics. He argues that success in maths comes down to prioritising the subject rather than natural ability, saying the discipline "doesn't care how you feel" because "the answer is the answer." He continues stating that people should 'do the math' to be accepted into teams like this to represent in global competitions.

The South African team consisted of six talented students who brought home multiple medals. Youkyum Kim from Reddam House Durbanville won silver, while Moied Baleg, Eli Williams, Pocoyo Pun and Yian Xu all earned bronze medals. Ellen Grant-Smith received an honourable mention for her efforts.

Mzansi reacts to the American's comments

The video divided opinions as South Africans felt the need to defend their diverse nation and share their own experiences with mathematics education in the country.

Read also

Sizwe Dhlomo fires more shots at Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie following another race debate

@chuma_sande responded:

"In South Africa, we solved skin colour issues, and it's 31 years later, so if you still have analysis about the colours of South African people, that's your country's issue."

@thixo_ugod shared:

"Who said there are no astute mathematics students in South Africa? Do you know my younger brother who scored 98% for his matric? He's now in France on some special visit as a Doctor of Philosophy in Whatever he majored in."

@kwena_mokwatedi pointed out:

"This is the difference between public school and private school, so those are from private school."

@sarah_fulguirinas defended South African schools:

"This is not true for my old school, the teams representing the school are those that are the best, the colour of the skin does not matter. Oh, and by the way, we say Maths, not Math."

@karen_taylor simply stated:

"Always bringing in colour."

Watch the Facebook reel below:

3 Other stories of Americans and South Africa

Read also

"They are uneducated": Gent shares his opinion on why people should not support Operation Dudula

• Briefly News recently reported on a Florida man who impressed South Africans by speaking isiZulu, but what he asked them to call him afterwards left Mzansi in stitches.
• An American woman relocated to South Africa and revealed she spends over R84,000 monthly, but her reason for moving will surprise many.
• Another US woman shared the incredible benefits of living in Mzansi with her family, but her description of South Africa had people questioning geography.

Source: Briefly News