From left to right: Simon Brown (MoneyWeb), Dr. Leila Fourie (CEO, JSE), Bhekumuzi Dludlu ( Hoërskool Birchleigh), and Vuyo Lee (Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, JSE). (Photo: supplied) 
The 2025 edition of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment Challenge wrapped up with the country’s top-performing school and university teams reportedly delivering returns that outpaced the JSE All-Share Index’s 23% gain during the competition period.
Now in its fifth decade, the annual challenge allows learners and students to trade virtual R1-million portfolios in real market conditions — a hands-on introduction to investment strategy, risk management, and market analysis. According to the JSE, more than 66,000 participants took part this year across all nine provinces, representing 859 schools and 110 tertiary institutions.
Vuyo Lee, the JSE’s director of marketing and corporate affairs, said the initiative helped nurture financial awareness at an early age.
“By providing a risk-free environment for learning, we’re cultivating tomorrow’s informed investors and financial leaders,” she said.
Read more: July JSE Investment Challenge showcases sharp minds and strategic wins among SA’s youth
This year’s results highlighted the growing strength of several consistent performers.
Mpumelelo Secondary School in Mpumalanga extended its dominance in the Schools income portfolio category. Sizwe Mtsweni, teacher at Mpumelelo Secondary School, said the competition was a “great achievement for our school and community” and praised the students for their efforts. “It was exciting to see young minds exchanging ideas and gaining knowledge about the economy and financial literacy,” he said.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Image-1_.jpg "From left to right: Vuyo Lee (Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, JSE), Khensani Mabasa (teacher), Phuti Moloto, Phumlani Masilela, Owam Msebenzi, Mlondolozi Bhengu, Simphiwe Milazi (teacher), Giba Mahlangu (teacher), and Dr Leila Fourie (CEO, JSE). Real Builders — Hoërskool Birchleigh placed 4th in the Schools Income Portfolio category of the 2025 JSE Investment Challenge. (Photo: supplied)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Image-3_.jpg "Mpumelelo Secondary School teacher Sizwe Mtsweni with his students — including Mbali Nkosi, Hope Sithole, Thando Mashiane, Andile Mkaliphi, Ntombifuthi Mtsweni, Nqobile Jiane, Sonke Tlou and Gugulami Skosana — alongside presenter and MC Mpho Pops at the 2025 JSE Investment Challenge Awards. (Photo: supplied)")
Gauteng’s Hoërskool Birchleigh also featured prominently, guided by teacher Giba Mahlangu. Reflecting on the school’s debut year in the Challenge, Mahlangu said: “We had an outstanding start this year, especially considering that Hoërskool Birchleigh participated in the JSE Investment Challenge for the very first time. Achieving four monthly wins and two overall prizes in our debut year is an incredible feat. We are proud of this remarkable milestone and even more inspired as we look forward with confidence and excitement to 2026.”
Among Birchleigh’s standout participants, Grade 11 learner Bhekumuzi Dludlu, winner of the most active trader accolade for high school, described the experience as “stupendous… a moment that I will forever cherish”.
At tertiary level, the University of Pretoria maintained its position among the country’s top performers, while the University of the Western Cape, University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University rounded out the leading pack.
Schools Income Portfolio — Top 5
- Cheslin Kolbe 1st Try – Hoërskool Birchleigh (Gauteng)
- BBM Honorable Traders — Mpumelelo Secondary (Mpumalanga)
- BBM The Survivors — Mpumelelo Secondary (Mpumalanga)
- The Real Builders — Hoërskool Birchleigh (Gauteng)
- BBM The Trade Treasures — Mpumelelo Secondary (Mpumalanga)
Schools Equity Portfolio — Top 5
- X Capital — Ashton International College Benoni (Gauteng)
- Boiler Room — Kearsney College (KwaZulu-Natal)
- Assets — De La Salle Holy Cross College (Gauteng)
- Dominator Squad — Lethukuthula Secondary (Gauteng)
- Forever Winners — Lethukuthula Secondary (Gauteng)
Schools Speculator Portfolio — Top 5
- Renaissance Traders — Kingswood College (Eastern Cape)
- JAE — Penny Pinchers — Parel Vallei High School (Western Cape)
- Stock Exchange Gurus — Lethukuthula Secondary (Gauteng)
- Jade Hustlers — Stellenberg High School (Western Cape)
- Kings of the Hill — Ashton International College Benoni (Gauteng)
Schools ETF/ETN Portfolio — Top 5
- BGC — Skillies — Hoërskool Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
- YNS — The Trading Titans — Wynberg Girls’ High School (Western Cape)
- YNS — Invest Techs — Wynberg Girls’ High School (Western Cape)
- YNS — Wealth Wizards — Wynberg Girls’ High School (Western Cape)
- Solomon Investors — Waterfall College (KwaZulu-Natal)
University Speculator Portfolio — Top 3
- Investment X — University of the Western Cape (Western Cape)
- ABS5 — Pierpoint & Ho — University of Cape Town (Western Cape)
- Bullish — Stellenbosch University (Western Cape)
University ETF/ETN Portfolio — Top 3
- UP Capital — University of Pretoria (Gauteng)
- UP Assegai — University of Pretoria (Gauteng)
- Alea Iacta Est — Stellenbosch University (Gauteng)
The Challenge forms part of the JSE’s broader education initiatives — including its Virtual Trading Game and #SheInvests campaign — aimed at expanding digital-finance literacy and encouraging more women to invest.
Its continuation underscores the critical role of early financial literacy in preparing South Africa’s youth for complex market realities, offering participants another chance to test their trading instincts without risk. DM