The 2026 Bank Windhoek Coastal Maths Challenge has once again showcased the mathematical talent of coastal learners, with more than 2 000 Grade 8, 9 and 10 learners taking part in this year’s competition aimed at developing problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
The second and final round of the annual challenge was held on 17 June 2026 at Walvis Bay Private School, following the first round on 14 February, which attracted 2 037 learners from 13 coastal schools. Learners from 12 schools qualified for the final stage.
Sponsored by Bank Windhoek since 2019, the competition provides learners with an opportunity to apply mathematical knowledge beyond the classroom through an individual Speed Test, an individual Multiple-Choice Test and a Team Test. The Swakopmund Cluster emerged as the overall winner with 1,704 points, comfortably ahead of the Walvis Bay Cluster, which scored 1,250 points.
Pro-Ed Akademy claimed the Bank Windhoek Trophy for the Best Performing School, while Aleksandr Kulikov, a Grade 9 learner from Private School Swakopmund, was named the overall best individual performer. Among the top achievers were Harriette Wozny, Euan Roberts and Carlo van den Heever from Private School Swakopmund in Grade 8, Aleksandr Kulikov in Grade 9, and Berlize Fuls from Pro-Ed Akademy in Grade 10.
In the team events, Harriette Wozny and Euan Roberts won the Grade 8 category, Jesse Eysele and Sebastiaan Cloete of Pro-Ed Akademy claimed the Grade 9 title, while Kate Bosman and Omar Hassan from International School Walvis Bay topped the Grade 10 category.
Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony, organiser Magret Courtney-Clarke said mathematics is about more than finding the correct answer. She encouraged learners to understand problems, choose appropriate strategies, evaluate their solutions and confidently explain their reasoning, noting that these skills are becoming increasingly important in the age of Artificial Intelligence.
Bank Windhoek Head of Strategic Communication and Social Impact, Bronwyn Moody, said the competition represents an investment in Namibia’s future by developing learners’ ability to think critically, question intelligently and solve complex problems.
Introduced in 2014, the Coastal Maths Challenge has grown into one of the region’s leading educational competitions, continuing to inspire young learners to pursue excellence in mathematics while strengthening skills that will serve them well in future studies and careers.
Organisers thanked participating learners, teachers, team leaders, Walvis Bay Private School for hosting the event, and Bank Windhoek for its continued support in promoting mathematics education along the Namibian coast.
By Rudi Bowe
