Online Reporter
Oliver Kazunga
Senior Business Reporter
Preparations for this year’s Capital Markets High School Quiz Competition are at an advanced stage, with 40 schools from across the country set to compete when the event kicks off tomorrow.
Last year, 20 schools participated in the annual quiz competition, which is organised by Zimpapers in partnership with the Financial Markets Indaba (FMI) while the Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange, Securities Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, Chengetedzai Depository Company and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education are technical partners.
In an interview, Zimpapers Business Hub and events editor Mr Herbert Zharare said: “Preparations for the Capital Markets High School Quiz are going on smoothly. The participating schools, which are the major stakeholders in this competition, are all ready to go; it’s all systems go.
“We are pleased that quite a number of corporates have supported the cause and we are glad to announce more are coming on board.
“We want to help build a financially literate Zimbabwe by making sure that our young learners understand financial matters — we want to catch them young.”
Mr Zharare said a financially illiterate society is doomed and can easily be exploited by the world.
“We do not want that to happen to our children; we want them to be torch bearers, we want them to be future architects who cut lucrative deals for the country,” he said.
Mr Zharare said they are still welcoming any kind of sponsorship opportunities that would make this year’s competition successful. This year’s event is being sponsored by Old Mutual Zimbabwe, POSB, Delta, Innscor, ZimSwitch, Tanganda and Tika Shoes.
This year’s quiz competition programme stands as follows: Group A and B — June 12; Group C and D (June 13); Group E and F (June 19); Group G and H (June 20) while the national finals will be held on June 27.
Munashe High School from Murehwa are the defending champions while 2023 champions Errymaple High International School from Zvishavane and 2022 champions Dominican Convent Bulawayo are also in this year’s competition.
FMI managing director Mr Patrick Muzondo said the core objectives of the Capital Markets High School Quiz Competition are to uphold financial literacy among students at a tender age.
“The key objectives of the annual Capital Markets High School Quiz Competition are to promote financial literacy among students at an early age, laying the foundation for informed financial decision-making that contributes to long-term economic development.
“Additionally, through the teacher training sessions that precede the competition, we are helping to establish a sustainable and ongoing knowledge base in schools across the country, ensuring the impact extends beyond the quiz itself,” he said.
In addition, the Capital Markets High School Quiz Competition, which is in its fourth year running, directly supports FMI’s long-term strategy of building a robust and inclusive capital market, starting with youth engagement.
“By cultivating interest and understanding of capital markets early on, we aim to encourage greater participation in local stock exchanges in the years ahead.
“The competition is also a key pillar of our broader commitment to investment promotion and financial education, empowering the next generation to contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic growth,” said Mr Muzondo.
People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB), one of the sponsors for this year’s quiz competition, said as they commemorate their 120th anniversary, they have been motivated to sponsor the competition, taking pride in continued sponsorship since the inception of the show.
The financial institution’s chief executive officer, Mr Garainashe Changunda, said the quiz competition aligns seamlessly with their commitment to promoting financial inclusion and literacy nationwide.
“Driven by a profound dedication to empowering the next generation, we remain steadfast in our mission to equip young people with the essential knowledge, skills, and tools required to make informed financial decisions.
“By fostering financial literacy from an early stage, we aspire to prepare students for entrepreneurship and financial independence as they transition beyond their academic journeys,” he said.
