Two Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences students recently emerged as winners in the 2024 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Investment Challenge.
Third-year Economics student Marnus Kotze and second-year BAcc student Thomas Theron, who teamed up as Koffie & Beskuit 2.0, took the top spot in the university Speculator Portfolio category.
The JSE Investment Challenge tests participants’ share trading skills through a simulated virtual trading programme. Each team is given an imaginary sum of R1 000 000 to invest in JSE-listed companies over a six-month period. Their performance is tracked and measured in a competition against other teams taking part in the Challenge. To be crowned the winner, a team must have the highest return at the end of the competition. Koffie & Beskuit 2.0 realised a 20% growth (from R1000 000 to R1 200 000) over the course of the six months.
Kotze says he was first introduced to the Challenge in 2023 and was immediately intrigued because of his interest in the stock market.
“A friend and I had a chat about entering the competition over coffee and rusks (hence the name Koffie & Beskuit) and decided to give it a shot. We ended up not doing too well, but still walked away with one of the monthly prizes worth R3 000. So, this year I thought I might as well have a second try and asked Thomas to join me. Hence the Koffie & Beskuit 2.0.”
Kotze believes it is this second bite at the “biscuit” which ultimately gave them the edge in this year’s Challenge.
“The experience I gained from taking part in the competition last year helped me to understand the market better and identify the things that are likely to have an effect on prices. Most of our trades were made based on our interpretation of news that we came across about a certain company, industry, or commodity.
“In the end, the reason we emerged as winners is twofold. Firstly, we took some informed gambles that mostly came off. Not every trade went well, but I guess the good outweighed the bad. Secondly, I believe that it was a way that God has blessed us to glorify his name.”
Kotze said participating in the JSE Investment Challenge will stand him in good stead as he plans to enter the financial industry, either in financial economics or stock brokerage and trading, after he graduates in 2025.
The duo received R30 000 in prize money for their winning effort and already have plans for it.
“Firstly, we plan to go out for a celebratory dinner, which we unfortunately just haven’t had the chance for. But we’ll probably invest most of it on the JSE and in possible small businesses ventures,” said Kotze.
They were also awarded a trip to an international stock exchange which will take place next year.
The JSE Investment Challenge, now in its 51st year, is designed to cultivate an investment culture and improve financial literacy across South African educational institutions, from schools to higher education institutions.
All South African university students, irrespective of their field of study, are eligible but must form a team with a minimum of two members and a maximum of four members. Each team will be required to pay a registration fee of R100.
