The challenge, held at the Sci-Bone Discovery Centre in Newtown, put Gauteng’s top pupils through a rigorous maths skills test where they had to complete 30 questions within a 10 minute period.
Sithole went through different stages in the challenge to reach this feat – he won at school, district and ultimately provincial level. A total of 170 schools took part in the challenge and thousands of fellow grade 3s had hopes of winning.
The nine-year-old who has aspirations of becoming a pilot was modest about the achievement, having outsmarted thousands of pupils in the province. “I feel happy and I’m proud of myself,” he said.
Sithole’s teacher Mina Morake was on the sidelines to support him at all stages of the competition. She described Sithole as a bright and humble pupil who showed potential for excellence in both academics and sports. “He thinks ahead and is always up for a challenge,” she said.
School principal Gay Alexander said she was extremely proud of Sithole’s achievement “He’s a very thorough and enthusiastic child with a wonderful attitude,” she said. Alexander added that Sithole had remained humble after his crowning.
Sithole’s mother Nthabiseng Tloubatla was not short of pride of her son’s accomplishment. “The whole family is proud of him,” said the ecstatic mother.
