Johannesburg, 27 May 2025 — The school has consistently excelled in the competition, earning multiple top honours over the years. The school’s continued success shines a light on what can be achieved when financial literacy programmes such as the JSE Investment Challenge are designed to actively engage young minds – they can inspire curiosity and confidence, resulting in tangible outcomes.

The JSE Investment Challenge, now in its 52nd year, is more than a competition— it is a national movement that cultivates financial literacy and investment knowledge among high school learners and university students. Each month, teams from across the country simulate trading on the JSE, applying real-world strategies in a risk-free environment that mirrors the dynamics of the financial markets. Monthly prizes are awarded to the top-performing teams, while the overall winners will share R1 million in prizes, including a trip to an international stock exchange for tertiary-level participants.

Among the many schools that participate, Mpumelelo Secondary has stood out as a beacon of excellence. Year after year, their teams consistently perform at the highest levels, winning both monthly and annual prizes. However, their consistent winnings are no coincidence — they are the result of a deeply rooted culture of mentorship, strategic thinking and a passion for learning.

Mr. Sizwe Mtsweni, the dedicated educator behind ‘Tha Brave Ones’, attributes their winnings to a unique and inclusive team structure. “What makes our learners perform well each and every year is how we structure our groups. We mix learners with different abilities, elect group leaders to monitor progress, and most importantly, we have a council called MP trading sitting. It’s a space where different minds come together to share ideas, discuss market trends and strategise.”

Initially drawn by the allure of prizes, many learners at Mpumelelo Secondary soon find themselves captivated by the world of investing. “Over time, they develop a genuine love and dedication for the Challenge,” Mr. Mtsweni adds. “Some of our former learners, now in university, continue to participate at the varsity level. Others have even begun investing in their personal capacities.”

This transformation—from curiosity to commitment— is at the heart of what the JSE Investment Challenge seeks to achieve.

“Financial literacy is a cornerstone of inclusive economic growth,” says Ralph Speirs, Senior CSI Officer at the JSE. “Through the Investment Challenge, we are not only teaching young people how markets work—we are empowering them to take control of their financial futures. This is about building a generation that is confident and fiscally capable.”

The April victory by 'Tha Brave Ones' is not only a proud achievement, but also a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when education meets opportunity. As the Challenge progresses through 2025, the JSE remains committed to building a financially literate nation, one learner and one team at a time.

April category winners are:

Schools Income Portfolio: Tha brave ones from Mpumelelo Secondary School, Mpumalanga

Schools Equity Portfolio: Profit Predators from Grey College, Free State

Schools Spectacular Portfolio: Jade Hustlers from Stellenberg High School, Western Cape

Schools EFT/ETN Portfolio: BGC- Skillies from Hoerskool Stellenbosch, Western Cape

University Spectacular Portfolio: U.P Capital from the University of Pretoria, Gauteng

University EFT/ETN Portfolio: U.PAssegai from the University of Pretoria, Gauteng

Registration is still open, and Interested schools and tertiary institutions can still participate in the challenge  registering electronically at schools.jse.co.za and university.jse.co.za. To stay updated, follow the competition’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

ENDS

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