Making Mathematics Meaningful: Reflections on the Eersterust Community Engagement Project

On Saturday, 10 May, the University of Pretoria’s Mamelodi Campus hosted a successful community engagement event that brought together passionate educators, parents, and community members from Eersterust, Mamelodi, and neighbouring areas. The focus of the event was to explore how mathematics can be made more meaningful and relevant in the daily lives of young learners, especially in the Foundation Phase.

The atmosphere was one of curiosity, collaboration, and commitment to improving educational practices. Through a series of interactive sessions and open discussions, participants shared experiences and practical ideas on how mathematical concepts can be introduced through everyday scenarios, play-based learning, and contextually relevant examples.

A key highlight of the event was a thought-provoking presentation by Mrs Elsamarie Kersop, who provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities involved in teaching mathematics to young children in diverse learning environments. Her presentation set the tone for a day filled with collaborative learning and critical reflection.

The event was expertly co-facilitated by Dr Nompumelelo Madonda and Dr Nadia Swanepoel, whose leadership and coordination helped ensure that the engagement was not only informative but also action-oriented. Their efforts exemplified the value of academic-community partnerships in reimagining early learning.

Participants were encouraged to share their own teaching strategies, raise questions, and contribute to a growing collective knowledge on how to support foundational mathematics learning. The session emphasised the importance of relevance, inclusion, and creativity in the classroom, particularly in under-resourced settings.

This event marks the beginning of an ongoing series of engagements aimed at strengthening the relationship between teacher training institutions and the communities they serve. As we look ahead to the next session, the focus will shift to making teaching and learning in the Foundation Phase even more practical, dynamic, and hands-on.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated and shared their voices. It is through such collective efforts that we can build stronger, more responsive educational practices that meet the needs of all young learners.