Reiger Park learners put their entrepreneurial skills to the test when their business idea, Econova, was selected among 20 learner businesses from across South Africa to compete in the 2026 Junior Achievement (JA) South Africa National Company of the Year Competition.

The team developed a Smart Bin designed to identify different types of recyclable waste and reward users for disposing of their waste correctly.

The idea formed part of this year’s competition theme, Augmenting Innovation, which challenged learners to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and technology can be used to improve business ideas and address real-world problems.

The learners earned their place at the national competition after progressing through the provincial Company of the Year competitions.

The national competition an idea to marketing products, managing finances and presenting their solutions to judges.

JA South Africa executive director Nelo Spies said the competition showed how young people are using technology to respond to challenges in their communities.

“What has stood out this year is not only the way learners have embraced AI and technology, but how they have used it to respond to real challenges around them,” said Spies.

National winners

The competition culminated in an awards ceremony in Johannesburg on October 2, where three learner businesses shared R100 000 in prize money:

WalkWise – Mabande Comprehensive High School, Mpumalanga: Overall winner, receiving R50 000 for its AI-powered smart cane.

Natural African Beauty Products – Minerva High School, Gauteng: First runner-up, receiving R30 000 for its natural skincare products.

Generational Co-Founders – Dlangezwe Secondary School, KwaZulu-Natal: Second runner-up, receiving R20 000 for its AI-enabled QR-code concept.

WalkWise’s smart cane uses GPS, cameras, sensors and sonar to assist visually impaired users with navigation and obstacle detection.

The winning team will represent South Africa at the JA Africa Company of the Year Competition in Cape Town from December 2 to December 4.

Six additional awards were also presented, recognising innovation, technology, project management, client focus, social impact and presentation skills.

For the Reiger Park learners, reaching the national stage gave them an opportunity to test their business concept against young entrepreneurs from across the country while gaining practical experience in developing and pitching an idea.

The competition was presented in partnership with Absa Group as part of JA South Africa’s Company Program Plus, which allows learners to establish and operate their own companies while still at school.

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