Soshanguve author writes poetic mathematics
The book offers a different approach for both learners and teachers, and motivates people to do maths.
A 22-year-old author of Soshanguve chose to create a poetry book about mathematics, primarily because she wanted to create a different perspective on the subject.
“After realising that I loved mathematics and poetry, plus my passion for writing, I thought to myself that I want to categorise myself as someone different.
“I wanted to invent an extraordinary piece of writing,” said Botshelo Mthomboti.
Mthomboti said Poetic Atmosphere of Mathematics is a book full of mathematical poems, which she wrote to help struggling mathematics students have a better foundation of the subject.
“The book covers basic mathematical aspects, such as the types of numbers, fractions, financial mathematics, just to name a few. The poems offer affirmations to the reader that they can understand and pass mathematics.”
She said the poems offer different ways for mathematics students from Grade 8 to tertiary education to tackle numbers and develop skills to memorise the steps to solving number problems.
“Memory skills are critical when dealing with mathematics because there are a lot of different problems which have different approaches that one faces every time.”
Mthomboti said the featured poems prepare the reader mentally for mathematical problems and break down the different aspects of the topic.
“The first poem in the book is motivational and encourages the reader that it is possible to pass mathematics, as hard as it may seem.
“When the reader reads through the poems, they are mentally prepared and believe in themselves that they can do it, which is a good way to start. The students can also apply the mental preparation technique before solving a math problem, which has proven to actually work.”
She encouraged learners and teachers to read the book as it will have a great impact on the way they go about mathematics.
Mthomboti recalled the time that the book was still an idea and how challenging it was for her, but she still managed to find common ground between mathematics and poetry.
“I received a lot of criticism, people would tell me that my idea would not work and that I should let go of it,” she said.
She emphasised: “Although critics will always be there, when you put your mind to something and are determined about it, everything will fall into place.”
She reflected on her journey of being a writer from an early age, putting ink to paper about her surroundings and the environment she grew up in.
“My passion for writing started at the age of 12 when I wrote a novel. I grew up in a dysfunctional family with no one that I could turn to, so I bled on paper.”
Mthomboti had her first book published in 2021, and she has not stopped since.
She said her aim is to publish something that will educate people every year.
“I have four books that are published so far, and I’m working on the fifth, which should be out by the end of this year or early next year.”
She said it will help primary school kids improve their English, and it will include vocabulary, sentence construction and grammar.
Mthomboti advised people who want to explore the same path as her that following their heart is important.
“If something makes sense to you, go ahead with it, and you will go far. It doesn’t have to make sense to someone else.”
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