Botswana is celebrating a proud academic achievement after Meribeth Baputaki, a student from Mater Spei College in the North East Region, made history by becoming the first-ever Motswana to win a medal at the prestigious Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO).
The 2025 edition of PAMO was hosted in Gaborone and brought together the brightest young mathematical minds from across the continent for a high-level intellectual contest. Students competed in four rigorous categories that tested university-level proficiency: Geometry, Algebra, Number Theory, and Permutations and Combinations.
Meribeth was one of three female students selected to represent Botswana in the Girls Category. Despite the stiff competition, she rose to the occasion and delivered a stellar performance, earning a Bronze Medal and placing third overall in her division.
Her remarkable accomplishment doesn’t end there. Meribeth also received an Honorary Mention Certificate, officially ranking her among the top performers at the Olympiad. This recognition marks a groundbreaking moment for Botswana—not only is she the first local student to bring home a PAMO medal, but she is also the first female in the country’s history to earn such a distinction at this elite level.
Meribeth’s success has ignited national pride and is being hailed as a powerful symbol of the potential of Botswana’s youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her performance is expected to inspire a new generation of young learners, especially girls, to pursue excellence in mathematics and other STEM-related fields.
The Ministry of Education and Skills Development, along with other education stakeholders, has lauded Meribeth for her dedication, brilliance, and trailblazing spirit. Her achievement is also seen as a validation of the ongoing efforts to improve STEM education in Botswana and expand opportunities for gifted students.
As Botswana continues to invest in academic excellence and innovation, Meribeth Baputaki’s historic win is a reminder of the extraordinary talent within the nation—and the bright future that lies ahead.
