Is math an important aspect of culture? If you were to ask 73 year old artist Esther Mahlangu, she would give you a resounding "Yes!"
Mahlangu, an artist from the Ndebele tribe of South Africa, has been teaching students at that country's largest science museum, the Sci-Bono, how ancient geometric artwork is tied to solving complex mathematical problems. The children of Johannesburg still face major life hurdles; even though they now live in a world free of apartheid, South Africa has a staggering 25% unemployment rate and educational opportunities are still limited for poor blacks.
Esther Mahlangu is a world recognized artist, but her primary concern is with passing on local traditions to disadvantaged youth. Her efforts, and the museum's outreach, are aiming to improve lives through meaningful education.
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(By the way, the word "bono" in "Sci-Bono" means "vision," no relation to the famous Irish popstar.)
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