Errymaple scoops Capital Markets Quiz Competition 2023
ZVISHAVANE-BASED Errymaple International School emerged winner of the 2023 Capital Markets High Schools Quiz Competition hosted by our sister publication, Business Weekly, in partnership with UK-based Financial Markets Indaba.
Errymaple beat other finalists- Midlands Christian College that came second, Cygnet Private College, which came third and Marist Nyanga High School which came fourth.
The Errymaple team was made up of Tadiwanashe Madandara, Mukudzei Sanyanga, Prosper Ndlovu, Lynden Mupandawana, Joyful Madhuveko, Enock Manyange, Moreblessing Leornard and captain Kelvin Makaza.
Makaza acknowledged that the other teams had given them a good run for their money.
“Winning is quite good, it is great considering there was tight competition from all the schools that were present today (Friday), so I take that as a very big achievement,” he said.
Their coach, Mr Rabson Kwaramba, said winning had motivated the students to learn more.
“Capital markets, as we all know, is not a subject that is taught at our schools but our students had to go the extra mile for them to win this competition,” he said.
The tightly contested finals saw Errymaple walk away with US$2,500, a hamper from sponsors Buttercup Margarine, another hamper from Nutri-Active, Real Estate Investment Trust units from Tigere Property Fund as well as prizes from POSB and Management Training Bureau.
This is in addition to the total US$1 250 the school won in the group stages. Second-placed Midlands Christian College, walked away with a total US$2 500 and other prizes from participation in the whole competition.
Third and fourth-placed Cygnet Private College and Marist Nyanga High schools respectively walked away with various prizes including a pair of shoes for each participant from Tika Shoes.
Tika Shoes boss, Hashmook Naran, whose company is sponsoring the quiz for the second year running ,said it is important to see the youths participating at such a life-changing competition.
“We are very proud to be involved in this quiz competition since its inauguration last year. It’s always good to see these young children excel in their knowledge and we take great pleasure in supporting events like this,” said Mr Naran.
Mr Ralph Chinyanga, the brand manager for Olivine Industries, said it was a pleasure to partner the organisers in the Quiz Competition.
“The reason that we are sponsoring this event is to give back to the communities and also the kids that are the main consumers of our favourite buttercup margarine spread.
“We are taking this opportunity to introduce our new buttercup lite margarine. It’s a 40 percent low fat spread which is now in the market.”
The quiz competition, which was also sponsored by Glass Creations, Chicken Inn, C-Trade, Tigere Property Fund, POSB, AFC Holdings, Zimpure Water, Management Training Bureau, Milano as well as Old Mutual Zimbabwe as the co-headline sponsor, is designed to enhance and foster the student’s knowledge and financial literacy while promoting savings culture at an early stage.
“And the winner is (drum roll) awareness and understanding of the capital market by school pupils, ” quipped Director of Investor Education, Farai Mpofu.
“For a quiz that commenced last year with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe as anchor sponsor, it is encouraging to see both corporate sponsorship and schools participation grow. Securities Market intermediaries, Old Mutual, C-Trade (Finsec) and Tigere Properties came forward as sponsors while other SMIs provided adjudicators for the Quiz. The standard of education is high in Zimbabwe, but the Commission is working with other financial market regulators to raise the level of financial literacy for better learning outcomes and later investment astuteness.
“We appreciate the collaboration with Financial Markets Indaba and Business Weekly and are assured that the 2024 edition will be bigger and better,” commented Mrs Mpofu.
Financial Markets Indaba managing director, Mr Patrick Muzondo, is on record saying: “The Capital Markets High Schools Quiz competition offers a unique and exciting way to motivate, inspire, encourage and reward secondary and high school scholars in their quest for knowledge and provide them with the opportunity to celebrate their achievement as part of a high profile, national competition. The quiz fosters a generation that is conscious of the importance of savings, financial literacy, and capital markets.
“Capital and financial markets play a crucial role in our global economy and are integral to the world of finance. While the world of stocks, trading and investments may seem complex, it’s essential for high school students to grasp the basics of these markets.”
Business Weekly Editor Herbert Zharare expressed gratefulness to the various sponsors that helped “facilitate the battle of minds for these youngsters as we try to catch them young so that they develop an interest in this critical sector of our economy”.
“It is our hope that as we continue hosting this event, which fortunately has the gracing of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Capital Markets shall be granted subject status and be examinable. We want to express our gratitude to valued sponsors who continue to loosen their purse strings to ensure that the event is a success. Our doors remain open for more sponsorship.”