Mopani learners bursary hopes dashed after Reserve Bank challenge
Despite proving their talent and placing in the national top 10, Mopani learners face an uncertain future without bursary support.
LIMPOPO – Learners from Hanyani Thomo Secondary School are facing an uncertain future after missing out on bursaries they hoped to secure through the South African Reserve Bank’s prestigious Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Schools Challenge.
The Limpopo school, which carried the province’s flag as its sole representative, impressed throughout the 2024/25 competition. From 216 schools nationwide, Hanyani Thomo broke into the top 10 and eventually secured seventh place in the finals.
The challenge is designed to boost financial literacy and deepen learners’ understanding of monetary policy. Teams of four simulate the Reserve Bank’s MPC decision-making process by writing essays on economic conditions influencing interest rates and then defending their analysis before a panel of experts.
For their efforts, each learner received R8 000, while the school earned R14 000 and a laptop for their teacher. Yet the rewards were bittersweet. The learners, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, believed bursaries awaited them, only to discover these were reserved exclusively for the top team.
“Although their achievement is a great motivation, missing out on first place has left their future uncertain,” said Economics teacher Isaac Chauke. “Most of these learners come from very poor families and urgently need assistance.”
Chauke appealed to government departments and private sponsors to step in. “Despite their circumstances, these learners defied the odds to achieve success. It would be a tragedy if, in the future, one of them is remembered only as a student who once represented Limpopo at the MPC Schools Challenge but achieved nothing in life,” he said.
The Reserve Bank has encouraged participants to apply for its bursaries and pledged to consider them, but Chauke argues that guaranteed opportunities are needed. “Learners deserve to write their final exams with peace of mind, knowing their future is secure,” he stressed.
He added that their performance proves they can compete at the highest level. “All they need now is a helping hand to move to the next stage. Awarding bursaries would be fair recognition and ensure they don’t lose momentum,” Chauke said.
Despite the setback, the school is determined to return. “We plan to come back stronger next year and use the experience gained at the finals to prepare better,” Chauke confirmed.
