Incorporating the indigenous game of morabaraba in the learning of mathematics

For many years, education in South Africa has been based mainly on western values. This has contributed to the fact that many learners from disadvantaged backgrounds cannot see the connection between the education they receive at school and their everyday experiences. This may well have contributed to the high failure rate amongst mathematics learners as well as the perceived difficulty of mathematics. It is believed that indigenous knowledge, in general, can be used to promote the teaching of mathematics in multicultural classes. We report on an enquiry into the use of the indigenous game of morabaraba in the mathematics class. Various mathematical concepts have been identified from the game. It was found that learners enjoy playing the game, and that it can be used in the mathematics classroom to promote the learning of mathematics. It was also found that the use of this game promotes spontaneous interaction amongst learners as they communicate their activities to fellow participants. The enjoyment of the game was found not to be restricted to a specific cultural group, which suggests that it can be used in a multicultural setting

Competition in higher education: lessons from the corporate world

Much has been written about the impact of globalisation in the corporate world. Most of those involved in the corporate world are aware of the impact of globalisation on their business activities and are taking required precautions. Actions followed include mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances. These actions are aimed at ensuring their survival and profits in the face of increasing competition. In contrast, institutions of higher education in South Africa are lagging behind in this regard. The decline in student numbers and cut in government subsidy make it necessary for these institutions to examine the private sector for strategies aimed at protecting their survival and profits. This article touches on activities often encountered in the corporate world and suggests that institutions of higher learning can learn from these actions. The purpose of this article is to impress on the reader that globalisation has increased competition and that, in order to survive in a competitive market, higher education institutions must improve and sustain their competitiveness. Other public institutions and government departments are rising to the challenge and those involved in higher education should do likewise. South African Journal of Higher Education Vol.16(1) 2002: 74-8