Rhodes University’s RU Stratton Syndicates (left to right) Eddie Munyumbwe, Tyrique Frans and Zita Ngoqo led the pack with 4.07% growth in the university ETF/ETN category.
(Photo: Supplied) 
With categories spanning income, equity, speculator, and ETF/ETN portfolios, every round sees new faces climb the ranks while seasoned participants continue to refine their skills.
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Strategy and skill behind the win
In the university ETF/ETN category, Rhodes University’s RU Stratton Syndicates led the pack with a solid 4.07% growth. Team member Tyrique Frans explained their approach: “Choosing the sectors was tricky, but after analysing market trends and the industries involved, we made well-informed decisions.”
The team adjusted their portfolio mid-month, buying more of the winners and selling underperformers.
Zita Ngoqo, also part of RU Stratton Syndicates, reflected on their cautious approach: “Our trades were low risk since we based everything on market trends. We ensured a diversified portfolio and played it safe investing in reliable products such as the Satrix Top 40 and FNB Top 40, each growing around 2.5%.”
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Another member of the RU Stratton Syndicates team, Eddie Munyumbwe, stated that the challenge exposed them to technical indicators such as “moving averages and the RSI (Relative Strength Index, a momentum indicator used to measure overbought or oversold conditions in a stock), which helped us time our trades better”.
Global insights and strategic picks
Meanwhile, at Hoërskool Birchleigh, the GALT.co team embraced a different strategy.
“We picked sectors such as mining and energy that usually perform well regardless of the economy,” Lehlogonolo Mgiba explained.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/d82844a0-31cb-466f-9620-39b4a3eebb51.jpeg "From left: Giba Mahlangu (teacher), Takalani Muriba, Avuyile Mvani, Lehlogonolo Mgiba and Gracia Yumba (all Grade 12s) make up the GALT.co team from Hoërskool Birchleigh, in Kempton Park. Photo: supplied.")
Mgiba observed that global events, such as geopolitical tensions involving Iran, could influence oil-related stocks due to their impact on global supply. This insight helped the team make modest gains and highlighted the real-world effects of international news on market movements.
Throughout the challenge, the team developed skills in diversification using trading tools and chart analysis.
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“I studied the charts first to see if a stock might go up. Once I had enough confirmation, I checked the fundamentals to make sure I was on the right track,” said Avuyile Mvani, a member of the GALT.co team.
July winners
Schools
- Marhorhwani Malali High School’s NC-TMM1 team from Limpopo won the income category with growth of R6,681.87.
- Kearsney College’s Boiler Room team from KwaZulu-Natal won the equity category with growth of 6.36%.
- Hoërskool Birchleigh’s GALT.co team from Gauteng won the speculator category with growth of 5.93%.
- Waterfall College’s Solomon Investors team won the ETF/ETN category with growth of 4.25% .
Universities
- Stellenbosch University’s USIS — Broke Brokers team from the Western Cape won the speculator category with growth of 6.19%.
- Rhodes University’s RU Stratton Syndicates team from the Eastern Cape won the ETF/ETN category with growth of 4.07%. DM