Twelve-year-old Saiyann Pillay from Meyersdal is proving that age is no barrier to excellence after earning selection to represent South Africa at the international ASIArope Olympiads 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, later this year.

Saiyann, in Grade Six, will compete in English, mathematics and science as part of the South African delegation, following a string of outstanding academic achievements on both national and international stages.

Outstanding academic achievements

Saiyann’s journey to the international competition began during the SA Olympiads school round in November 2025, where she achieved gold medals in both English and mathematics.

At the national level, she earned a diamond certification in English and a silver award in mathematics.

These accomplishments earned Saiyann an invitation in December 2025 to represent South Africa at the Vietnam International Applied Mathematics Competition (VIAMC) in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Success on the international stage

The competition brought together more than 180 learners from nine countries, including Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand and South Africa.

Competing against some of the brightest young minds in the world, Saiyann secured third place internationally in the Mathematics Olympiad, earning a bronze medal, international certification and a partial international scholarship.

Reflecting on the moment she found out she had made the South African team, Saiyann said: “The moment was a combination of excitement, shock and fright, all confounded into one weird scream.”

Although competing internationally was intimidating at first, Saiyann embraced the challenge.

“I remember sitting in the exam hall and thinking, ‘I am not smart enough to be here.’ Other kids were walking around with books and reciting theorems, and their calm faces didn’t help much,” she said.

Despite her nerves, Saiyann described the experience in Vietnam as unforgettable, particularly the friendships she formed.

“Creating friendships, the moments we shared were unforgettable. Hopefully, these are friendships that will last a lifetime,” she said.

Preparing for Bangkok

Saiyann is now preparing for the Bangkok Olympiads, where she is especially excited to compete in science, her favourite subject.

“I am looking forward to making new friends, competing in the Science Olympiad and exploring the country,” she added.

When schoolwork becomes stressful, Saiyann turns to music for motivation.

“I love listening to K-pop, especially Stray Kids. Their music always brightens my mood and gives me the confidence to be the best I can be,” she said.

She credits her parents as her biggest inspiration.

“My parents have always provided the foundation for me to grow to unimaginable heights. Their love, support and belief in me give me the strength to truly be me,” she explained.

Saiyann also shared a message for children who doubt their own abilities.

“The only thing you need to do is believe in yourself, no matter what. You are capable of so much more than you think. Reach for the stars because someday you’ll be one.”

A well-rounded young achiever

Beyond academics, Saiyann is passionate about golf, swimming and netball. She is also involved in community fundraising initiatives with Door of Hope.

Her educational journey has also been strengthened through her involvement with Kumon South, where she became the centre’s youngest English completer and is recognised as one of its top mathematics students.

As a home-schooled learner, Saiyann follows a structured but flexible daily routine guided by her mother, Sanet.

Her day begins at 06:30, balancing lessons, assignments, activities and daily Olympiad preparation.

Support from family

Saiyann’s mother, Sanet, said one of the most emotional moments of the journey was hearing Saiyann’s name called during the awards ceremony in Vietnam.

“All I could think was my little one got here based on her hard work. It still brings tears to my eyes,” she said.

Sanet explained that Saiyann showed strong logic skills and enthusiasm from a young age.

Through learning games, reading exercises and educational activities, her talents continued to develop naturally.

She believes homeschooling has given Saiyann the freedom and confidence to flourish.

“Home schooling has built confidence in Saiyann and given her the opportunity to be herself. Once she finds something she loves, she soars,” said Sanet.

The family acknowledged that international competitions come with financial and emotional challenges, especially without school-affiliated sponsorship support.

“Financially, these are expected costs, especially not being affiliated with a school to help drive funding. We as parents are fully responsible for these costs,” Sanet explained.

The value of opportunities beyond the classroom

Sanet believes children benefit greatly from opportunities beyond traditional classroom learning.
“Kids require exposure to the real world and an opportunity to ask curious questions. Experiencing different cultures, music, art and science has helped Saiyann’s confidence and general knowledge grow,” she said.

Saiyann hopes her story encourages others to support and invest in young learners.

“That parents and organisations will recognise the value that children are our future, given time and opportunity, would enable their unique strengths to shine,” she said.

Her message to others remains simple: “Be kind to one another.”