JSE Investment Challenge in Kramerville opens financial doors for learners and students

KRAMERVILLE – The guest list of the 48th annual event varied from teachers and mentors to leaners and CEOs who all shared a common goal, to further enhance their knowledge of finance

Crawford College Sandton received fifth place in the speculator portfolio category which had over 300 schools competing for first place. Photo: Motlatsi Mailula

The annual Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment Challenge welcomed students and learners from all provinces to attend the prizegiving ceremony in Kramerville.

The guest list of the 48th annual event on October 22 varied from teachers and mentors to learners and CEOs who all shared a common goal, to further enhance their knowledge of finance and to encourage other to learn more about investments and current affairs.

Trader and investor Simon Brown was one of the guest speakers at the event who encouraged participants to share the knowledge they received during the course of the investment challenge. Brown also addressed how important it is for people to hold more conversations on money, especially in areas that have no means of educational resources.

CEO of Royalty Management and Communication Annah Lwambwa is hopeful to see more young investors from the challenge in the coming years. Photo: Motlatsi Mailula

“It seems almost impossible because people think it’s only meant for experts and geniuses. It’s not rocket science, it just needs some attention and knowledge. My advice for anybody preparing themselves for the challenge is to not worry about the jargon, balance sheet and other factors that might seem scary. The core of investing is just buying a business which can be identified as good by seeing how it engages with its users,” said Brown.

The challenge had three categories which schools had to pick from: income portfolio, equity portfolio and the speculator portfolio for both high schools and universities. Schools such as Pace Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialisation displayed their dominance with the first category as three of their teams that participated in this year’s challenge all received awards for the income portfolio.

Thando Serame from Pace Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialisation sees herself investing and buying shares in the near future. Photo: Motlatsi Mailula

Pace Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialisation learner, Thando Serame, attended her first investment challenge this year with no expectations of receiving an award.

“I was surprised with the end results of the award ceremony, it was really good. Getting three awards was an astonishing accomplishment for everyone in the school. I am definitely going to continue with this and I am going to further my knowledge on the market and shares,” said Thando.

Trader and investor Simon Brown gives a short speech about the importance financial knowledge, before the prize-giving segment. Photo: Motlatsi Mailula

All learners and students were given six months to complete their challenge.