dyton mupawaenda
Edward Zvemisha-Youth Interactive Correspondent
After three days of immense competition held last week, with about 20 local high schools competing, Errymaple International School from Zvishavane was crowned the 2023 Capital Markets High School Quiz champions in Harare.
A well- organised event by our sister publication, Business Weekly in partnership with the United Kingdom-based Financial Markets Indaba featured lucrative sponsors such as Old Mutual, Chicken Inn, Buttercup Margarine, Tika Shoes, C-Trade, Nutri Active, Glass Creators, Tigere Property Fund, Milano Office Chair, AFC Holdings, Management Training Bureau among others lived up to its billing as learners exhibited their knowledge of capital markets.
The winning school walked away with US$2 500 cash prize and hampers from various companies amongst other consolation prizes.
The Errymaple International School quiz captain Calvin Makaza, could not hide his joy and said winning the competition was a dream come true for them.
“This is our first time competing in the High School Quiz and winning it, was a great achievement,” said Calvin.
He said the competition was intense and they learned a lot from their peers in terms of understanding capital markets.
“There was some tight competition from all the schools from all the provinces in Zimbabwe and not only did we win the trophy, but we won some knowledge on why it is important to invest in the capital markets,” said the Errymaple captain.
Head coach for quiz at Errymaple, Mr Robson Kwaramba said the secret to them winning the competition was due to studying all the modules and going the extra mile than the normal.
“The strategies that we put in place have actually worked, we had to make them have presentations, study all the modules, make them do the lessons as well as study the previous 2022 competition,” said Kwaramba.
Kwaramba said the Zvishavane based school is not well-known in the country and that winning the competition is going to elevate its presence in the education system.
“It was our first time as Errymaple International School, not so known in Zimbabwe but this has become our grand entrance into the education system,” he said.
Midlands Christian College landed second place and one student from the College, Kerster Kabudura said the competition was a huge boost towards his career path.
“In terms of what I want to become, my career path this has helped me a lot and this has become a milestone since it is our first time as a school to compete in such a competition,” he said.
The head judge and group chief commercial officer for Escrow Group, Mr Garikai Munema said he was impressed with the standard of competition among schools and that the learners are taking more interest in understanding capital markets.
“The standard throughout was impressive and it seems the students are taking more interest in understanding the capital markets, and how it works I am very happy, we want to demystify the notion that the capital markets are meant for those with a lot of money,” he said.
One of the event organisers and Zimpapers’ digital and publishing (DAP) senior sales and marketing executive, Maureen Mabhiza expressed her excitement about the understanding of students to the concept of financial intelligence and literacy.
“There has been a lot of excitement that has been brought about by the quiz and many schools such as Marist Nyanga High School willing to trade on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and understand the importance of financial literacy and financial intelligence,” said Mabhiza.
Mrs Mabhiza thanked the sponsors and said she hoped the event would continue while also increasing the number of investors from the current learners as well as future generations.
“Many schools did not have an understanding of capital markets, but ever since we started the quiz, many learners have an appreciation and we hope to have the future generation of investors from students now and in the coming events.”
“I would like to thank all our sponsors, especially Buttercup Margarine who went all out to give more than their package to include the overall winner’s trophy, certificates and participants’ badges,” she said.
Errymaple International School became the second winner of the annual Capital Markets High School Quiz after the inaugural competition was won by Dominican Convent High School- Bulawayo last year.
Online Reporter