The JSE/Liberty Investment Challenge rewarded the winning teams from two high schools in the Free State province who showed their immense capability and skills in the investment challenge with a celebratory breakfast function held at the Protea Hotel in Bloemfontein on 23 July.

The schools that previously won during March and April were the “Jimmie Roos” team from Jimmie Roos Special School for Boys in Dewetsdorp, Free State and the “MK Investors” team from St Andrews School in Welkom. The “Jimmie Roos” team who were led by Mareliza du Toit earned an outstanding income of R 17 772, 64 in the Income Portfolio while the “MK Investors” team who were led by teacher Johann Potgieter made a 7.48% growth on their investment in the Speculator Portfolio. Each of the four students in these teams have been rewarded with R500 for best performance in their respective portfolios. A further R500 has been awarded to their school as well as teacher or mentor.

“We at the JSE education department would like to congratulate the schools and teachers for excelling in the JSE/Liberty Investment Challenge. We hope that this will be the start to a successful future and financial independence.” says Senior General Manager of JSE Education, Maureen Dlamini.

The JSE/Liberty Investment Challenge is an ongoing annual competition that enables and educates high school learners and university students about the fundamentals of investment strategy, encouraging them to research and strategise matters surrounding the trading of JSE-listed shares. At the end of the competition, five prizes amounting to R60 000 per portfolio, will be awarded at the prestigious awards ceremony held at the JSE to the overall winners of the Income, Equity Growth and Speculator Portfolios.

Jade Maletsky, Group Marketing: Head of Strategy at Liberty says, “The JSE/Liberty Investment Challenge gives young people the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of investing and the value of financial planning. We are very proud of the Free State schools and congratulate them on their success in the investment challenge.” This initiative is one of Liberty’s many that aims to encourage financial education in South Africa.

The Investment Challenge runs until September and is open to all grade 8 -12 learners from any South African high school. All school entrants must be in teams of four and have to be supervised by a teacher or mentor. Grade 12 learners will need permission from their principal to enter.

Registration is open continuously throughout the JSE/ Liberty Investment Challenge for schools and forms are obtainable from their website (http://schools.jse.co.za) or from the JSE’s Challenge Co-ordinators on 011 – 520 7116/ 7344/ 7168. Each team will be required to pay a registration fee of R120 per team per portfolio entered.