Mathematician Reamogetse Moroenyane from Ikageng township in Potchefstroom, North West has
published aMathematics study guide for school learners. Moroenyane was diagnosed with a heart
condition in 2016 called Sinus Bradycardia, where he had a slow heart rate and would collapse several times.
Two years later, the doctors said he had Myasthenia Gravis , a condition whereby the neuromuscular nerves are blocked. He was not able to speak, eat, walk, had double vision, trouble chewing, writing and bathing because his muscles were weak for almost a year.
The third-year education student at North West University and a Maths teacher at Botoka Secondary
School said he wanted to share his God-given gift of Mathematics with others so he created Palotota (which means Setswana for Real Mathematics).“I have a purpose in life and I want to change the mindset of learners to become positive and mathematically proficient,” said Moroenyane.
He said that he uses songs, sweets and different types of food to teach. “I would motivate a learner by giving them a chocolate if they answer a question correctly. I would give one a sweet if they got a question wrong as a way of thanking them for trying,” he explained.
Moroenyane said his second condition annoyed him. “I would get angry when learners come to me for assistance because I was not feeling well.” He said specialists at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital assisted him with medication known as Mestinon since his condition is not curable.
A motivational speaker who used to come to his school during his matric year assisted him with the publication of his study guides. Moroenyane said his goal is to take his current grade 10 Maths group, all the way up to Matric and help them get distinctions in the subject.
