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Brilliant Young Minds Recognised

Brilliant Young Minds Recognised

Date: 2018-07-20

A select group of Grade 10 - 12 learners from schools across the country showcased their community-driven business ideas at the annual JA South Africa Company of the Year Competition, sponsored by Citibank South Africa, which took place on 13 July 2018.

Taking home first prize, learners from McAuley House in Gauteng showcased their company - Meraki - that produced a unique magnifier for mobile devices. The product is both scalable for corporates to serve as an alternative to heavy power-intensive projectors and poised to help the elderly and community members struggling with small mobile device screens.

In addition to their trophies and a R5000 cash prize for their school, the team of four and a chaperone will receive flights to Ghana to represent South Africa and compete in the JA Africa Regional Company of the Year Competition taking place in December 2018.

Acknowledging the need to boost an entrepreneurial mindset, nurture skills development and to work toward reducing youth unemployment, the competition focuses on the introduction of enterprise development early on. It highlights business ideas conceptualised by learners participating in JA South Africa's Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Academy Programmes, offered to learners in grades 10 - 12 in selected schools across the country.

O' My Garden! from Northlands Girls High in KwaZulu-Natal took third place for its succulent start-up idea, utilising repurposed glass jars and the strategic layering of rocks, sand and stone to allow for better irrigation and nutrients for plants during these drought-stricken times.

"Our wide range of experiential entrepreneurship programmes bridges the gap from idea to execution for these young entrepreneurs looking to start from a young age," says Nelly Mofokeng, Managing Director of JA South Africa. "It's essential for our youth to be introduced to the world of work and sustainable business at an early age, and the creative business ideas put forward at this year's Company of the Year competition are testament to the success of our programmes."

Peter Crawley, Citi Country Officer, attests to the commitment that JA South Africa and Citi share of supporting small and growing businesses that provide economic opportunities and job creation.

The top three finalists who attended the Company of the Year 2018 prize giving were:

1. Meraki - McAuley House, Johannesburg, Gauteng

2. Dynasty - Reahola Secondary School, Phuthaditjhaba, Free State

3. O' My Garden! - Northlands Girls High, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal