PETRA DIAMONDS CULLINAN DIAMOND MINE POLISHES YOUNG MINDS SO THEY TOO SHINE LIKE DIAMONDS!
Gauteng, South Africa
This week marked another exciting step forward in our shared mission with Petra Diamonds Cullinan Diamond Mine to help strengthen Maths education. Together we officially launched a new My Maths Buddy project with the Cullinan group of schools in Cullinan:
- Cullinan Primary School
- Chokoe Primary School
- Sedibeng Primary School
- Onverwacht Primary School
The launch brought together school leadership, Maths teachers and education representatives, including Ms. Desiree Dlamini from Petra Diamonds and Mr. Ramorula from the Department of Education. Moments like these remind us that real change in education happens when communities, schools and partners come together with a shared vision for our learners’ futures.
As part of this new phase of the project, 10 new Maths teachers have been enrolled onto the My Maths Buddy program and received My Maths Buddy Club Kits for 100 learners. The program will also be continued with 10 Maths teachers who participated in the program in 2025.
On the 6th of March Cullinan Diamond Mine organized and held an official launch with the 20 Maths teachers who will be participating in the program in 2026.
Ms. Desiree Dlamini the Social Performance Lead from Petra Diamonds Cullinan Diamond Mine, officially opened the launch by addressing the Maths teachers. She shared that their continued support of Cullinan schools that aims to uplift and support teachers so that learners can succeed in Mathematics and grow into future leaders and executives.
She encouraged teachers to make the most of such opportunities as they are shaping tomorrow leaders and reminded them that “it takes a village to raise a child,” highlighting that developing future leaders is a shared community responsibility.
Mr. Ramorula, the representative from the Department of Basic Education (DBE),also addressed the teachers. Reflecting on the song “Brighten the Corner,” he explained that its message reminds us that each person has a responsibility to make a positive difference where they are.
Echoing the sentiments of the previous speaker, he encouraged teachers to recognise the important role they play in their learners’ lives and to use partnerships like this to continue igniting their passion for helping every learner succeed in Mathematics
As part of the launch Ms. Tholakele Dludla, the representative of the My Maths Buddy Program got the new Maths teachers through an onboarding process and introduced them to the program. As part of this process the new Maths teachers also completed Maths pre-assessments that will allow the My Maths Buddy Training Department to draw up the Baseline report and kick off the training in the right directions addressing specific gaps in Maths knowledge and improving teachers’ skills in teaching Maths with full understanding.
Team of Maths teachers from 2025 program did very well on the program and during the launch we had the privilege of awarding one of those 10 teachers who made it into Top 10 performing My Maths Buddy Clubs in 2025.
Mr. Hlatswayo, the grade 7 Maths teacher from the Cullinan primary school who has been running Club activities with his learners successfully for more than a year got awarded that day with the special certificate and prizes from the Cullinan Mine and My Maths Buddy Project representatives.
Our Maths Buddy Clubs are a major part of our program in schools and many dedicated Maths teachers run these activities with their learners.
Last year we had over 43 Clubs active with hundreds of learners participating.
In their excitement about the project, Cullinan Mine generously gifted each teacher a branded golf shirt, helping to strengthen the MMB community at Cullinan Schools.
The launch was an amazing success and the Maths teachers are excited to start the program and start making change in Maths education in their schools. And we are looking forward to many wins and successes coming from these schools and sharing these success stories with you.
We are truly grateful for our continued partnership with Petra Diamonds Cullinan Diamond Mine. We also acknowledge all our other partners who continue to walk this journey with us and to those who may be considering joining in the future, thank youfor being part of a community that believes every child deserves the opportunity to truly understand Maths.
Each project, teacher empowered and partnership formed brings us one step closer to changing the trajectory of Maths education for thousands of learners.
Together, we are not only supporting teachers and their learners, we are building stronger foundations for the next generation.
To learn more about the My Maths Buddy project download our infographic below.
