daniel chigunwe
Business Writer
The third annual Capital Markets High Schools Quiz Competition, hosted by Business Weekly in partnership with the Financial Markets Indaba, is on this week with 20 schools from across the country battling it out.
According to the organisers of the competition, the goal of the Capital Market High Schools Quiz Competition is to highlight and recognise the important role played by the capital market in economic development and preservation and growth of households’ savings.
The programme serves as an opportunity to inform and demystify complexities and myths that surround participating in financial and capital markets and in turn encourages individuals from all walks of life to invest on the local markets including stock exchanges.
“The quiz fosters a generation that is conscious of the importance of savings, financial literacy and capital markets. The doors for sponsorship are still open and those firms and individuals willing can still come on board and help us create a financially enlightened future, ” said Herbert Zharare, Editor of the Business Weekly.
The Capital Markets High Schools Quiz Competition offers a unique and exciting way to motivate, inspire, encourage and reward Secondary and High School leaners in their quest for knowledge and provide them with the opportunity to celebrate their achievement as part of a high profile, national competition, according to Patrick Muzondo, managing director of Financial Markets Indaba.
ZB Financial Holdings (ZBFH) is this year’s headline sponsor.
As the headline sponsor, ZBFH said this initiative will improve how the coming generation will look at wealth creation instead of consumptive behaviour.
“As a financial institution we have 70 percent of the schools in our books as customers. This shows how dedicated we are as a business to the education mandate,” said ZBFH executive head marketing, Cynthia Muzira.
“We also strongly support the Sustainable Development Goals and Goal number 4 is on Quality Education. We are into this space to ensure we bring up a generation of educated and informed individuals.
“Financial literacy is always the last if not the least of our concern even at household level. So this initiative will improve how the coming generation will look at wealth creation instead of consumptive behaviour,” said Muzira
Defending champions, Errymaple International School, will have to fend off competition from new participating schools such as North West High School, Jameson High, Moleli High, Thornhill High, Chipindura High, Chinhoyi High, Harare High, Daramombe, Errymaple High, Munashe High and Visitation Makumbe.
Few other schools such as Midlands Christian College, Marist, Bonda, John Tallach, St Johns, Cygnet College, St Dominics and Monte Casino are trying their luck for the second time.
This year’s gold sponsor ZimSwitch Technologies said sponsoring the competition underscores the company’s commitment to promoting financial literacy and inclusion among the youth.
“This partnership is aligned with the firm’s broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, which emphasise fostering responsible business practices and supporting community-driven initiatives.
By sponsoring the quiz, Zimswitch aims to inspire the next generation of financially savvy citizens. With the rising importance of capital markets in Zimbabwe’s economic landscape, introducing high school students to these concepts is seen as a critical step in promoting long-term financial inclusion.
“Our goal is to equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complexities of capital markets and financial services. Financial inclusion starts with education, and we believe this quiz will help empower students to make informed decisions about their financial futures,” said the Zimswitch chief executive officer Zabron Chilakalaka
He said sponsoring educational initiatives such as the Capital Markets High School Quiz is an embodiment of Zimswitch’s broader ESG strategy, particularly in the social and governance pillars.
“Through this partnership, the company is investing in the social capital of Zimbabwe by enhancing access to education, while simultaneously fostering a culture of responsible governance in future leaders.
“We believe that strong corporate governance starts with empowering our youth to understand the systems that drive our economy. By sponsoring this quiz, we are not just promoting financial literacy but also encouraging ethical engagement with financial systems from a young age,” added Chilakalaka.
Other sponsors for this year’s competition include Delta Beverages, Old Mutual, Tika Shoes and NivTeil Capital.
The competition is also strongly supported by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Industry regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and the Investment Professionals Association of Zimbabwe are providing technical support.
Bongani Ndlovu