Enterprising pupils from Cape Town school turn R1m in virtual capital into real-world win

What began as a fun challenge at investor events has evolved into a financial literacy exercise introducing school learners to the world of investing in the form of the Coronation Top Investor Challenge: Schools Edition.

Reuben Rietoff and Mbali Nhuku, from Parklands College in Cape Town, competing as the Cashflow Co-Pilots, outperformed hundreds of teams to win R25,000 each in Coronation unit trust vouchers, while their school has been awarded a R50,000 cash prize.

A total of 292 teams representing 79 schools registered for the competition, with a minimum of two and a maximum of five learners per team. Of those, 191 teams from 58 schools completed the competition (submitted results for all three rounds).

Armed with R1-million in virtual capital, learners worked in teams to build investment portfolios and respond to a series of fictional market scenarios. Each scenario challenged them to apply critical thinking and adapt to local and global economic developments as depicted.

“This was the first time many of these learners encountered the world of investing — and they rose to the challenge with remarkable insight and enthusiasm,” said Kirshni Totaram, a senior executive at Coronation.

The competitors receive a beginner-friendly guide to investment fundamentals, to help them develop a working understanding of financial markets and portfolio construction.

“This challenge was a brilliant way for learners to apply their classroom theory in a real-world setting. Opportunities like this show them that what they’re learning isn’t just for exams. It’s equipping them to make good decisions in life,” said Totaram.

“When I was told that Parklands College had won, I was surprised but not surprised. The competition is tough, but I know the calibre of our learners,” said Craig Fortuin, subject leader in Economics at Parklands College.

The two enterprising scholars on the college’s investing team said the competition felt like a great new opportunity to try something different.

“I think what surprised us most was how well gold performed — it ended up being one of our best investments. If I won money like this in real life, I think I’d actually invest it and see how I can grow it over time. It’s made me want to keep learning and improve my skills,” said Nhuku.

Rietoff said he has always been interested in commerce, and knowing that Nhuku was also keen on commerce, the pair decided, “This was a great chance to see how our minds could work together. It was tricky at first, especially deciding which sectors to invest in. But, over time, we learned from each other, and that really helped us in the end.”

“We know that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” said Totaram. “That’s why our programmes start as early as high school and extend all the way to the professional level — helping to build a pipeline of skilled, confident young people ready to thrive in the financial sector.”

The initiative is not Coronation’s first foray into supporting young people. The Coronation Exceptional Student Bursary Programme, launched in 1993, supports academically strong learners from under-resourced communities through their tertiary studies. Many go on to intern at the firm, gaining real-world exposure to the workplace.

Post-graduation, Coronation offers the Catapult Programme, a 23-month structured experience developed in partnership with stockbroking firms. The asset manager also backs the Asisa Academy’s Fezeka Investment Management Programme, which supports high-potential black female graduates when they enter the industry. DM