JSE Challenge – UniOne

You are one step closer to learning about the exciting world of finance and investment and one giant leap closer to understanding the dynamics of the JSE. We are proud to be catalysts of this worthy initiative and look forward to learners throughout South Africa excelling and discovering their potential through participation in the JSE investment challenge. This is truly a game without boundaries, whether cultural or economic. Get registered as soon as possible and let the games begin. Good luck to all teams on behalf of the JSE limited.

Till next time

Your Challenge Friend

LEADERBOARD

Pos	Team	Total	Growth
1	to the moon	R 1 045 483,00	4.55%
2	LS- Star Troopers	R 1 045 408,00	4.54%
3	Grade 9R – De la Salle	R 1 045 408,00	4.54%
4	QTN Traders	R 1 045 353,00	4.54%
5	07Traders	R 1 044 805,00	4.48%
6	BTM.inc	R 1 039 119,00	3.91%
7	SCTB.inc 2	R 1 039 119,00	3.91%

What is JSE investment challenge?

The JSE Investment Challenge is a game that aims to teach South African learners and students about investing on the JSE and the larger role that such investment plays in the country’s economy. … Each team is given an imaginary sum of R1 000 000 to invest in JSE-listed shares.

Payment Details

R120 per Team per Game
Make Payment to: JSE Investment Challenge
A/C Number: 002351064
Reference: Your School and Team name
Bank: Standard Bank, Braamfontein
Branch: 00-48-05
Type: Current

Who can participate

Any South African secondary school may enter one or more teams.
Team members must be in grades 8, 9, 10 or 11 to be eligible to participate (it is recommended that learners in grades 8 and 9 participate in the income game).
Grade 12 learners may also participate with the permission of the school principal.
A team must consist of four members only.
Each school must have a supervising teacher or mentor.

Choose your game

Teams must select the “risk” portfolio that they wish to take part in. The options are:

A. INCOME (low risk)

B. EQUITY GROWTH (moderate risk), and

C. SPECULATOR (high risk),

These different portfolios allow participants to select their appropriate wealth management strategies, testing their investment skills against peers who follow a similar strategy.

Teams may choose to participate in any of the three portfolios. The Speculator portfolio is however limited to those schools with access to the Internet.

A. INCOME(low volatility)

The objectives of this portfolio are:

To protect capital on an inflation-adjusted basis and to maximise income derived from the portfolio.
Teams are required to protect capital value on an inflation-adjusted basis. Thereafter they will be evaluated on their ability to maximise income from the portfolio. (No consideration will be given to capital growth above the inflationary benchmark percentage of 6% per annum.)
Any team which does not protect its capital on an inflation-adjusted basis, will not be considered in the awarding of prizes.
The starting portfolio (based upon a recommended asset allocation) will consist of:
70% – (R700 000,00) in cash
30% – (R300 000,00) in FTSE/JSE Top 40 (or equivalent index) equity
The portfolio may only hold equities in FTSE/JSE Top 40 (or an equivalent index).
The portfolio may not hold derivatives, warrants, futures or options.
The portfolio must hold a minimum of R400 000,00 in cash.

B. EQUITY GROWTH(medium volatility)

The starting portfolio (based upon a recommended asset allocation) will consist of:
50% – (R500 000,00) in equity
50% – (R500 000,00) in cash
No more than 10% of the portfolio may be held in any one share.
No derivatives, futures or options may be held.
The portfolio must hold a minimum of R250 000,00 in cash.

C. SPECULATOR(high volatility)- Internet trading only

The starting portfolio will consist of:
R1 000 000.00 in cash
No more than 10% of the portfolio may be held in any one share.

How to trade

To trade just follow these easy steps

Online:

1. Click on “Log In” on the top left menu
2. Type in your username and password
3. Click on “Login”
4. On the left hand side of the screen click on “Trade/Quote”
5. Type in the share name or share code you would like to purchase or sell
6. Click on “Trade”
7. Type in the number of shares you would like to purchase or sell
8. Click on “Request to Purchase” or Request to Sell”
9. Click on “Confirm Trade”
10. To trade again click on “Trade/Quote”

Manually:

1. Get a portfolio statement from the JSE.
2. Decide which shares you’re going to buy or sell.
3. Complete the fax order form, found at the back of the Rules book or print one from the website
4. Indicate the company’s name that you want to buy or sell.
5. Include the number of shares you are trading.
6. Include your team username, password and contact details.
7. Once you are satisfied with what you’re going to buy or sell fax the form to 011 520 8588/8586.

Prizes

Monthly Prizes

From March through to September the team with the best performance for the month in each portfolio will win R500,00 per team member, R500,00 per teacher and a further R500,00 for their school.
Winners will be announced in the local newspapers, in the portfolio statements and on the Challenge website.
Any team or team member will only be eligible for one prize per month. In the event that a team wins more than one game in any month the judges will award the additional prize money to the second placed team.
No team may win more than two monthly prizes for the duration of the Challenge. Where a team is not eligible for a prize as a result of this rule the next best team will be awarded the prize.
The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Prize money will be deposited into a Satrix Investment account opened for both individual and institutional prize winners.

Adjudication of Monthly Prizes

INCOME

The Income Portfolio uses the following measures:

The capital must match or grow faster than the monthly inflation rate.
Interest and dividend income will be added to calculate the monthly income.
The team which has generated the most income during the month whilst protecting the capital value of their portfolio against inflation, wins.
No credit is given for monthly capital growth in excess of inflation.
During the competition inflation will be assumed to be inflation @ 6% per annum, or 0, 5% per month.

EQUITY GROWTH

The Equity Growth Portfolio uses one measure:

The difference between the value of the portfolio at the end of the month and the value of the portfolio at the beginning of the month will be measured as a percentage of the value of the portfolio at the beginning of the month. The portfolio with the highest growth wins.

SPECULATOR

The Speculator Portfolio uses one measure:

Annual Prizes:

Five prizes will be awarded for the Income, Equity Growth and Speculator Portfolios.
Winners will be announced in the Sunday Times, in the portfolio statements and on the Challenge website.
No team may win more than one annual prize. Where a team is not eligible for a prize as a result of this rule the next best team will be awarded the prize.
Prize money will be deposited into a Satrix Investment account opened for both individual and institutional prize winners.
Judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Annual Prize Value:

First Place: Total prize R21500,00 – each of the four team members will receive R4000,00, the school wins R1000,00 and the elected teacher or mentor wins R4500,00.
Second Place: Total prize R14250,00 – each of the four team members will receive R2500,00 and the school wins R1000,00 and the elected teacher or mentor wins R3250,00.
Third Place: Total prize R11250,00 – each of the four team members will receive R2000,00 and the school wins R1000,00 and the elected teacher or mentor wins R2250,00.
Fourth Place: Total prize R6750,00 – each of the four team members will receive R1000,00 and the school wins R1000,00 and the elected teacher or mentor wins R1750,00.
Fifth Place: Total prize R6250,00 – each of the four team members will receive R1000,00 and the school wins R1000,00 and the elected teacher or mentor wins R1250,00.

Adjudication of Annual Prizes:

INCOME

The Income Portfolio will use two measures:

The capital must match or grow faster than the inflation rate for the duration of the game.
Interest and dividend income will be added to calculate the income accrued for the duration of the game.
The team which has generated the most income during the duration of the game whilst protecting the capital value of their portfolio against inflation, wins.
No credit is given for capital growth in excess of inflation.
During the competition inflation will be assumed to be 6% annually or 3% for the duration of the game.

EQUITY GROWTH

The Equity Growth Portfolio uses one measure:

The difference between the value of the portfolio at the end of the game and the value of the portfolio at the beginning of the game will be measured as a per¬centage of the value of the portfolio at the beginning of the game. The portfolio with the highest growth wins.

SPECULATOR

The Speculator Portfolio uses one measure:

The difference between the value of the portfolio at the end of the game and the value of the portfolio at the beginning of the game will be measured as a percentage of the value of the portfolio at the beginning of the game. The portfolio with the highest growth wins.

Satrix

Prize money will be deposited into a Satrix Investment account opened.
Satrix securities are Exchange Traded Funds, listed on the JSE, and registered with the Financial Services Board as a Collective Investment Scheme. They provide perfect tracking, both capital and yield, of the main FTSE/JSE indices. Index tracking products, such as Satrix, provide the most effective and lowest cost option to gain exposure to the performance of the equity market as a whole.

There are five Satrix products:

Satrix Fini, which tracks the FTSE/JSE Financial 15 Index
Satrix Indi, which tracks the FTSE/JSE Industrial 25 Index
Satrix Resi which tracks the FTSE/JSE Resource 20 Index
Satrix SWIX Top 40 which tracks FTSE/JSE Shareholder Weighted Top 40 Index

Prize winners must complete in full the normal application forms and fulfill Financial Intelligence Controls Act (FICA) obligations in terms of providing proof of identity and residence in order to have Satrix accounts opened in their name. Prize winners can choose which of the Satrix products they wish to be invested in, subject to minimum investment requirements for each product. For more information on Satrix, please visit the website www.satrix.co.za

Need Information or Confused about Something ?

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Costs

Each team will be required to pay a registration fee of R120,00 per team per portfolio entered.
No changes to portfolios are allowed once they have been selected. If teams wish to change their portfolio an additional R120,00 will be charged per portfolio.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

Be a South African citizen.
Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
Have a valid South African ID.
Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

Visit the NSFAS Website

Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
- You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
- Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Provide household income information and living arrangements.
Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
Track Your Application
- Log in regularly to check your application status.
- You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

Tuition fees
Registration fees
Accommodation (if living away from home)
Meals and transport
Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

Log into your MyNSFAS account.
Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
Upload any missing or corrected documents.
Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
Email: info@nsfas.org.za
Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
Twitter: @myNSFAS
Facebook: NSFAS

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.