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8 countries participate in Pan African Mathematics Olympiad
The 11th Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) took place over 15 - 22 July 2001 in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso. A total of 8 teams participated in the olympiad - Tunisia, Cameroon, South Africa, Benin, Mali, Swaziland, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. The Tunisian team claimed first prize, followed by Benin, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Mali and Swaziland.
The South African contingent consisted of four candidates: Theo Mokgatlhe (Welkom High), Ingrid von Glehn (St. Stithians Girls College), Tamara von Glehn (St. Stithians Girls College) and Fritz van Zyl (Hoërskool Brackenfell). Theo, Tamara and Ingrid were awarded bronze medals while Fritz won an Honourable mention which is achieved by any candidate solving at least one problem completely. The candidates were accompanied by team leader Dr. Sudan Hansraj (University of Natal) and Mr. David Hatton (University of Cape Town) who served as deputy team leader. The team was selected after a nationwide Mathematical Talent Search, conducted by the South African Mathematical Society, sponsored by Old Mutual. South Africa's participation in the olympiad was partly sponsored by the Foundation of Education, Science and Technology.
The teams wrote two papers of 4,5 hours duration each on 18 and 19th July 2001. Each paper comprised 3 questions requiring essay type solutions. A sub-committee of the Commission on the PAMO met some months prior to the Olympiad to compile a shortlist of 20 problems which were presented to the International Jury for the selection of a smaller shortlist of 12 problems. The International Jury comprised all 8 team leaders as well as officials of the African Mathematical Union and the advisory board of the International Mathematics Olympiad. This committee minus the team leaders eventually decided on the final 6 questions to be posed in the examination. Following the examinations, the Jury once again assembled for the scoring of the students work. A final set of results were then declared and released at the closing ceremony.
The 12th PAMO is scheduled for South Africa in 2002.
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