Sandtonview loses to McAuley House

A select group of Grade 10s to 12s from schools across the country showcased their community-driven business ideas at the annual JA South Africa Company of the Year competition, sponsored by Citibank South Africa on 12 July.

Taking home first prize, were pupils from McAuley House in Milpark, who pipped a school in Bramely, Sandtonview High, to the title and first prize money, relegating them to the fourth position, at an event showcased at the Citibank offices in Sandton.

Sandtonview High School, most of whose children come from Alexandra, came fourth in the top nine finalists who attended the Company of the Year 2018, with their company – Tswarenang Property Limited.

McAuley House came tops with their company – Meraki – that produced a unique magnifier for mobile devices. The product is both scalable

for corporates to serve as an alternative to heavy power-intensive projectors and poised to help the elderly and community members struggling with small mobile device screens.

In addition to their trophies and R5 000 cash prize for their school, the team of four and a chaperone will receive flights to Ghana to represent South Africa and compete in the JA Africa Regional Company of the Year competition in December.

Second place was awarded to Dynasty from Reahola Secondary School in the Free State, for its innovative idea to create coasters out of new and used matchsticks. Further development of the concept led the team to include a heating element beneath in order to keep drinks warm while providing a power source for a USB connection that can be plugged into a laptop for charging purposes.

O’ My Garden! from Northlands Girls High in KwaZulu-Natal took third place for its succulent start-up idea, utilising repurposed glass jars and the strategic layering of rocks, sand and stone to allow for better irrigation and nutrients for plants during these drought-stricken times.