About the Shaya Izibalo Maths Institute

Play Video

Learn about SIMI and how to support us.

SIMI was founded in 2021. We provide Mathematics resources and services to secondary schools, particularly in less privileged spaces since we believe that a decent Mathematics education should be a right for all.

We use a combination of in-person and online approaches in order to gain maximum reach and scale.

The Institute is led by sibling team Paul de Wet and Ruth Hicks.

Paul is a “born and bred” teacher of Mathematics.

Paul has enjoyed significant privilege in terms of his own education, having attended Hilton College as a schoolboy. He has subsequently taught in a number of leading Independent Schools. While he occupied a variety of senior leadership roles in these schools, his first passion has always been the teaching of Mathematics.

He is highly regarded as an exceptional Mathematics teacher, National Examiner, popular presenter at conferences and a prolific creator of resources.

Ruth has stepped away from the corporate world to work full time on SIMI. Ruth has an energy and a passion to do good and make a meaningful difference in South Africa. She is passionate about education and Maths in particular.

Between the 2 of them they are a small but passionate and committed team.

Their deep desire is to use their abilities, experience and energy to give back and to make a difference to those who need it the most.