21 Aug 2024

Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) in partnership with Stanbic Bank Botswana has recognised the 2024 Finance & Investment Competition winners with medals and certificates.

The prestigious award ceremony held on August 20, which is the brainchild of the BSE was held at Cresta Lodge to celebrate the remarkable achievements of learner winners of a competition, which commenced on April 22 and ended July 22, 2024.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Ms Bonolo Khumotaka, who represented the minister at the event, expressed her heart felt gratitude to BSE for advancing financing market education in Botswana.

She said such initiative will not only empower pupils but also contribute to the broader goal of fostering a culture of investing and saving among Batswana. 

“This initiative exemplifies our collective efforts to equip our young minds with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complex landscape of the financial market, “she observed.

She said collaboration by Stanbic Bank Botswana and BSE was a shining example of how cooperate citizens can come together to create some synergies that can benefit Batswana.

“Stanbic Bank Botswana has demonstrated a strong commitment to the development of the youth and the nation of Botswana,” she further said.

Mr Lebea Sephuma, head of global markets at Stanbic Bank Botswana, said the invitations to participate in the competition were sent to all public and private senior secondary schools across the country to give equal opportunities to prospective learners.

He said the ceremony marked the dedication and an unwavering drive to the learners’ excellence, which the bank aimed to recognise as financial acumen of strategic foresight, diligence and the unyielding pursuit.

“Early this year, Stanbic Bank Botswana in collaboration with the BSE launched the Stock Market Simulator, a pioneering platform designed to transform financial education with an investment of P1.49 million over the next three years.’ He said. 

He explained that this simulator offers a virtual environment that mirrors real-time market conditions, allowing participants to simulate investment strategies, track market performance, and explore a variety of financial instruments-all within a risk-free setting.

Mr Sephuma said their aim as a collective was to demystify the stock market, making it accessible and understandable for everyone, not only to enhance financial literacy but also work towards diversifying and increasing the retail investor base on the BSE.

BSE vice chairperson Professor Onkutlwile Othata said the competition was a significant milestone in the journey of their organisation towards enhancing financial literacy. 

“This is not only that but the struggle promotes the culture of investing among the youth, embodies the very essence of what at the Botswana Stock Exchange they strive to achieve,” he said.

He said the initiative was more than just a contest, but an opportunity for young minds to engage, learn, and develop a deeper understanding of the financial world that influences everyday lives.

Explaining what motivated him to join the competition, Form 5 pupil of Lobatse Senior Secondary School Emmanuel Makandire said he was interested and curious to know more about BSE.

“Also my performance was poor in Mathematics, but now it has improved and my team work has improved too and now he can tolerate other people and learn from them. I advise other learners to do research about BSE.” He noted.

Makandire said the only change he encountered was that of clash of BSE trading lessons with other lessons. Learners competed by trading and learning about the stock market.

The first position was snatched by Al Nur Senior Secondary, while Lobatse Senior scooped second position and Regent Hill Senior Secondary School came in third.

Introduced in 2013, as a quiz, the Senior Secondary Schools ‘Finance & Investment Competition,’ has been an inspiration of an educational innovation and a paradigm shift in nurturing learners’ future financial understanding. Ends