On the 14th of March, the International Day of Mathematics is celebrated globally to highlight the beauty and importance of mathematics in our lives. The theme for this year is: Mathematics, Art, and Creativity. This theme reminds us that mathematics is more than just numbers—it’s also about the beauty of patterns, the creativity in solving problems, and the way we see the world. In South Africa, we have a rich history of using mathematics in art, design, and nature, and this day is the perfect opportunity to explore how these elements come together in our cultures, traditions and landscapes.
Mathematics in South African art designs
Maths and art have always been closely connected in South African cultures. Take, for example, Zulu beadwork or Ndebele house painting, which features intricate geometric patterns and symmetry that are grounded in mathematical concepts. These patterns often carry deep meanings—each colour and shape may symbolise a specific idea, such as unity, identity, or ancestral connections.
In architecture, traditional Zulu huts (iQhugwane) are also examples of how geometry and mathematics are applied in design. The careful balance, use of angles, and placement of structural elements showcase the role of mathematics in creating spaces that are functional, beautiful, and deeply meaningful.
Mathematics in South African music and dance
Music in South Africa is deeply intertwined with mathematical rhythms. African drumming and dance often follow patterns based on fractions and multiples. For example, in Zulu drumming, there is a relationship between the beats in the rhythm and the dancers’ movements. This use of polyrhythms, meaning more than one rhythmic pattern happening at the same time, requires a solid understanding of how to combine different time intervals, making it an excellent example of how mathematics and art coexist.
The famous South African dance, Indlamu, performed by Zulu dancers, has strict rhythmic patterns that can be broken down into timed intervals, showing just how mathematical a dance can be. Even our more modern music, such as Kwaito and Gqom, follows complex mathematical structures, using beat fractions to create catchy and energetic rhythms that make us want to dance!
Mathematics in traditional South African games
Maths is not just about solving equations—it can also be fun! One example of how maths is embedded in South African culture is the traditional Xhosa game of “Upuca”. Players use small stones, and a larger stone called “ingqanda”. The objective is to throw ingqanda into the air while quickly removing and replacing pebbles from a circle on the ground before catching the stone. Players must count and group the pebbles as they play, following a set numerical pattern. Upuca is a great way to teach learners mathematical thinking through play, reinforcing key concepts like one-to-one correspondence, subitising and skip counting (Feza, 2018).
For future and current teachers, this International Day of Mathematics provides us with an opportunity to make mathematics more engaging for learners by connecting it to South African culture and creativity. You can use examples from traditional art, music, games and nature to teach learners that mathematics is not just about solving problems but about creating beautiful things and understanding the world around us.
How do you see mathematics and creativity in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Mariaan Bouwer
Lecturer in ECE unit
