Zimpapers Logo

Business Reporter

MUNASHE High School from Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province, emerged winners of the tightly contested 2024 edition of the Capital Markets High Schools Quiz Competition, final held in Harare yesterday.

The final was a contest between Chinhoyi High School, Nyanga High School, Marist Brothers, Midlands Christian College and Munashe High School.

Chinhoyi High School came second while Nyanga High School Marist Brothers came third. Midlands Christian College took the fourth position.

The competition, which was introduced to harness the students’ knowledge and understanding of financial and capital markets, ran from October 23, 2024, to October 31, 2024. The primary objective of the competition is to encourage a broader understanding of financial markets. Guest of Honour at the final quiz show, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister David Mnangagwa said the competition was not a mere event, but an essential initiative aimed at acknowledging and promoting the significance of financial literacy and capital market awareness among young people.

He said the competition seeks to empower youth by engaging them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of financial systems. The deputy minister added that the quiz was critical, as it provided youths with a platform to gain insights into financial management, investment strategies, and the broader implications of capital markets on personal and community growth. 

“This competition is not only an event but a crucial initiative that recognises and champions the importance of financial literacy and capital market awareness among our youth.

“Our aim today is clear: to shine a spotlight on the powerful role that capital markets play in economic development, household savings mobilisation, and capital formation as well as to foster a generation that is financially literate,” he said.

He said the effort fostered a generation that is not only informed about economic principles but also capable of making sound financial decisions that will positively impact their futures.

Securities and Exchange Commission of Zimbabwe (SecZim) chief executive officer Mr Anymore Taruvinga said the programme was critical in inculcating financial literacy in the youth.

“This quiz teaches the budding youths not only about preserving capital but about increasing capital, youths are our future and we must prioritise their exposure to financial literacy, to investment habits, so that youths become able custodians and actors in the Zimbabwean economy,” said Mr Taruvinga.

Business Weekly Editor Herbert Zharare appealed to the corporate sector, urging them to sustain their valuable support for the Capital Markets  High Schools Quiz competition.

He said continued corporate involvement would ensure the competition remains a vibrant platform for engagement and learning, inspiring the next generation of finance professionals.

“As we gather here our greatest wish is for the organisations represented here to continue supporting this initiative whose objectives remain key in grooming Capital Markets alive Zimbabweans — catching them young.

“To the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, our plea remains, that this area be examinable — maybe we are lagging behind —  a lot of ground might have been covered on this matter,” said Mr Zharare.

He noted that the initiative did not only enrich students’ knowledge and understanding of the financial markets but also fostered a strong interest in economics and investment among the youth.

Chipo Hondoyachepa and Rudaviro Kabvundura, who were part of the Munashe High School team, said the quiz programme was insightful as it grooms youths in a positive financial way.

“We are happy to have won the competition because we did not expect it. The programme is enlightening. Now we know the nitty gritties of financial markets, something we had no idea about a few months back. 

“The programme has inspired us to be conversant with matters of the economy and we are determined to grow and be part of the local financial system,” they said.

ZB Financial Holdings (ZBFH) was the headline sponsor of the 2024  Capital Markets High Schools Quiz Competition while ZimSwitch Technologies were the gold sponsor of the event.

Delta Corporation, Old Mutual, Tika Shoes, Nivtel Capital, ZimGold and AIMZ were among the host of corporates that sponsored the event. SecZim, Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and  Investment Professionals Association of Zimbabwe (IPAZ) were the technical partners of the competition.