Panorama Secondary School in Graskop claimed victory over 11 other schools in the national South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) Schools Challenge 2024.
Panorama Secondary School defeated Michaelhouse from KwaZulu-Natal to claim the victory. Michaelhouse took second place, followed by Hoërskool Montana from Gauteng in third.
Grade 12 pupils, Ruth Khoza, Candy Molemo Mabele, Gugulethu Malapane and Siphesihle Nyundu, along with their economics teacher, Mxolisi Phakathi, were announced as the winners of the competition on Tuesday, August 20.
The challenge began in February and was aimed at matriculants who study economics and mathematics. It was designed to create awareness about the role of the SARB and monetary policy, and to stimulate interest in the field of economics. The pupils each received an SARB bursary fund, R18 000 cash and an iPad, and Phakathi received a brand-new laptop. The school was also awarded R37 000 cash.
They were celebrated by the rest of the school and stakeholders during morning assembly on Thursday, August 22. In addition to their prizes, they also received vouchers courtesy of the Graskop Gorge Lift Company for a fun and relaxing time.
The governor of Panorama’s team, Ruth, said participating in this competition not only exposed them to various opportunities, but it also enabled them to network with promising young minds who could significantly impact the future of the country. “It is remarkable how this competition not only changed our lives, but had such a great impact on so many young people. It inspired young girls to pursue their dreams and pursue careers in economics, especially since it is a male-dominated field. Winning this competition is definitely a testimony that hard work pays off and that God still does miracles,” Ruth said.
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The school’s headmaster, Council Lebjane, said the tertiary bursaries these pupils received are a privilege that they should not take for granted. “Now it is time for them to focus on the prelim exams and final National Senior Certificate examinations to ensure that they make full use of the opportunities that this achievement afforded them. We applaud the learners for their hard work, and acknowledge that the process was stressful at times,” he said.
“It is wonderful to see the learners being given recognition by the extended Graskop community for their achievements and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support and encouragement of our children. This has generated a lot of positive momentum as we move towards the end of the school year,” Lebjane said.
The Monetary Policy Committee’s Schools Challenge
During the competition, the participating schools’ teams were provided with economic information, data and reading materials to help them prepare. They were also supported by economists of the SARB.
The learners were then given an opportunity to prepare an MPC essay, similar to the one the governor of the SARB delivers every two months.
This essay demonstrated their understanding of monetary policy and the factors considered by the MPC when deciding on the repurchase rate. The 12 finalists proceeded to the presentation stage of the competition, which was a simulation of the SARB MPC’s press conference, where the learners were asked questions about their statement and policy decision.
Mpumalanga MEC for education congratulates Panorama Secondary School’s economics educator
The Mpumalanga MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, lauded Panorama Secondary School’s economics educator, Mxolisi Phakathi’s contribution for the winning the challenge. Dlamini was speaking at the provincial instalment of the National Teaching Awards 2024 held in Skukuza on Saturday, August 24.
Phakathi and his victorious matric pupils were invited to the award ceremony for Dlamini to deliver her formal congratulatory message.
“This is a clear demonstration that the purpose of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically to be enabled to make educated and rightful decisions. We honour teachers who do not just preach, but demonstrate to their learners the truth and fact that learners matter. Well done to Phakathi and your learners, you are the pride of the Place of the Rising Sun,” she said.
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Phakathi said he is passionate about teaching economics, and participating in the challenge was an amazing experience. “It was our first time participating in the competition and we won. It took hard work and perseverance to come out victorious. It really is a great feeling to achieve something this big for our school,” he said.
Phakathi said economics was only introduced at Panorama Secondary School about five years ago.
His passion for this subject is visible from his achievements, such as obtaining exceptional pass rate results for economics from 2020. He was also recognised for obtaining a 100% pass rate in economics in the Bohlabela District in 2023.
