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When mathematics teacher and private tutor, Sinovuyo Mkunqwana (28), finished her matric she wanted to study medicine and become a doctor.
Instead, as life would have it, she was to follow in the footsteps of both her grandfather and father – who were accomplished mathematics teachers until their retirement.
Centane-born Mkunqwana has been a teacher at Sithandimfundo Senior Secondary School in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, since 2017 and boasts a 100 percent pass rate for her Grade 12 mathematics and physical sciences classes in 2020.
She repeated the feat in 2021, teaching mathematics only, and is confident that she will achieve the same with her matric class of 2022.
After having her application to study medicine rejected due to insufficient Life Science grades, Mkunqwana enrolled for a Mathematical Technology qualification at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. As soon as she finished her studies and started working, she realised that an office-based job was not for her.
She then did a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) specialising in mathematics and physical sciences with the same institution and subsequently answered her calling to follow in her grandfather and father’s footsteps by teaching.
“I can say that teaching found me because growing up I always saw myself as a doctor, but my love and passion for mathematics led me to follow the teaching profession,” said Mkunqwana.
She is now spreading her passion for mathematics beyond the classroom, and offers private one-on-one and group tutorials through her company A Grade Tutorials.
Mkunqwana also hosts an online YouTube channel which offers free mathematics tutorials aimed at learners from grades 10 to 12 studying the subject.
“Through the YouTube channel I integrate certain subject topics for learners from Grade 10 to 12, as well as basics of Mathematics,” she said.
The channel is accessible by searching Sinovuyo Mkunqwana on YouTube.
Having given up on her dream of being a doctor, Mkunqwana says she wants to lay a foundation for future doctors, by producing learners with A grades in mathematics and physical science.
“I already have one student doing architecture and another doing medicine at different tertiary institutions and my goal is to produce at least 1 000 of these learners by ensuring that they pass their mathematics and physical sciences with flying colours,” she said.
Mkunqwana says she plans to offer similar tutorials to disadvantaged schools around Centane.
