Pushing the transformation agenda
The JSE has been running programmes to help SA’S learners, students and the public learn about the stock market
Transformation is critical to the JSE — but one of its most successful programmes also happens to be its oldest: the JSE Investment Challenge.
Begun 44 years ago, the programme engages the youth of SA to get an understanding of what the stock market is all about. The programme is open to all high school learners and all university students across the country. In 2017 close to 18,000 high school learners and university students took part in the programme.
JSE head of transformation and CSI Idris Seedat says the programme not only inspires the youth to learn about the exciting world of finance and investments but also provides mentors to the disadvantaged.
“We identify unemployed graduates and university students who have time to give back to their communities. We train them on the JSE Investment Challenge programme and get them to impart that knowledge at the various high schools within their communities,” says Seedat. “They are provided with a monthly stipend for the duration of the competition.”
The JSE aims to create an inclusive programme to break the economic barriers between schools that are well-resourced and those that aren’t. The JSE invites corporate SA to get involved by sponsoring schools from disadvantaged communities to the value of R2,500 per school. That enables the school to register a maximum of 24 learners. They then have the choice of three portfolios: the income portfolio, where students are allowed to invest in top 40 shares only; the equity portfolio, where students can invest in any listed share on the JSE; and the speculative portfolio — a high-risk portfolio where students can invest