The first annual Finance and Investment Management Olympiad (FIMO) kicked off this year with 825 students, most of whom came from public schools.
The initiative, sponsored as a consumer education project by Strate, was run out of the Finance and Investment Management Department at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and focused on Grade 11 and 12 learners in Gauteng.
According to Leigh Bevis, Strate’s Head of Stakeholder Relations, the participation by students played an important role in developing critical financial skills and educating the youth, with the ultimate intention of growing South Africa’s investment base. “South Africa’s economic growth is dependent on its investment profile. By nurturing students’ finance and investment skills, we’re empowering them to be educated so that they can contribute to the future success of our economy.”
Looking ahead, the national roll-out of FIMO to Grade 11 and 12 learners is being considered following the success of Olympiad in Gauteng.
The first round of the Olympiad was written on 6 May 2015, and the final round on 12 August 2015. The 2015 winners were:
| Public Schools | Private Schools | |
| First Place: Tie between T Sethshedi from Sutherland High School and S Bhana from King Edward VII School | First Place: RI Trusler from Redhill High School | |
| Second Place: N Ambrose from Zakariyya Park Combined School | Second Place: VT Rakgotho from Vuleka Secondary School | |
| Third Place: GJ Dreyer from Pretoria Boys High School | Third Place: LGN Novello from Redhill High School | |
| Fourth Place: NT Nemaungani from Sutherland High School | Fourth Place: KK Mosupyoe from Princess Park College | |
| Fifth Place: AC Mkhontwana from Cosmo City Secondary School | Fifth Place: Dylan Nlzetich from Reddam House |
Strate would like to congratulate the winners, as well as all students who participated in the 2015 FIMO. It also wishes to express its gratitude to the educators at the University of Johannesburg as well as to the organiser, Proverto.
