High school and university teams gained practical exposure to financial markets during the annual JSE Investment Challenge, which concluded with an awards ceremony on October 16.

The challenge gave school and university teams an opportunity to test their investment knowledge by building and managing portfolios, learning how financial markets work, and making investment decisions. The participants’ efforts culminated in the JSE Investment Challenge awards ceremony, where top-performing teams were recognised.

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JSE Group chief executive officer Valdene Reddy welcomed participants, highlighting the value of early financial education. “This programme is so much more than learning how to build a portfolio. It’s about making financial markets more accessible, understanding them, knowing what products would suit you, just getting a flavour of what’s out there in investment,” she said.

Reddy said the challenge also encouraged participants to understand businesses, how capital is allocated, and how saving and compounding can contribute to long-term wealth creation.

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She emphasised introducing financial education at an early age, saying the knowledge young people gained could influence their personal decisions, future careers, and the financial habits they passed on to their children.

Reddy added that the initiative aimed to expand beyond the 100 000-participant milestone, making investment knowledge accessible to more learners. She congratulated the 2026 participants and acknowledged the teachers, facilitators, education departments and other stakeholders who supported the programme.

Reddy also recognised Simon Brown for his two decades of involvement in the challenge, highlighting the value of sharing professional knowledge and experience with the next generation of investors.

Companies and Intellectual Property Commission commissioner advocate Rory Voller was also welcomed at the ceremony. The initiative gives young people practical exposure to financial markets and investment decisions while encouraging financial discipline, independent thinking, and an understanding of money management over time.

Reddy encouraged participants to apply what they learnt beyond the competition, noting that understanding money gives people choices and that investing early offers significant long-term benefits.

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