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23 October 2023 | Story SAMKELO FETILE | Photo SAMKELO FETILE
Third year students: Sipho Majenge, Thapelo Tinte, Dr Edson Vengesai, Busisiwe Nhlapo and Tsolofelo Zwane.
Third year students: Sipho Majenge, Thapelo Tinte, Dr Edson Vengesai, Busisiwe Nhlapo and Tsolofelo Zwane.

The University of the Free State (UFS), Department of Economics and Finance in the Faculty of Economic and Management Science, has recently made headlines by achieving remarkable success in the prestigious JSE Investment Challenge competition. The 3rd-year group secured an impressive second position, while the Honours group claimed an outstanding third place. These achievements are truly commendable, given the fierce competition and rigorous evaluation of financial acumen that characterises this national competition.

The 3rd-year group, consisting of Thapelo Tinte, Sipho Majenge, Busisiwe Nhlapo and Tsolofelo Zwane, showcased their financial prowess by excelling in trading futures, a complex financial instrument that demands in-depth knowledge and expertise. On the other hand, the Honours group, comprised of Dawie Bekker, Divan Koch, Keith Tarr, and William Oosthuysen, dedicated their efforts to the stock market. These talented individuals took on the trading aspect of the competition, meticulously constructing and managing their portfolios.

The significance of the JSE Investment Challenge

The JSE Investment Challenge, organised by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), is a prestigious national competition designed to introduce students to investment fundamentals, offering practical experience that equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary for informed decision-making in real financial markets. This educational stock trading programme also champions financial inclusion and equality by welcoming students from all fields of study. Distinguished by its association with the JSE, one of Africa's leading stock exchanges, the competition exudes credibility and prestige. Participation from universities across South Africa further enhances its national appeal. Moreover, it imparts invaluable real-world financial skills and knowledge, highlighting the participants’ ability to navigate the complexities of the stock market and effectively manage portfolios.

A test of financial prowess

In the challenge, each participating team is allocated R1 million in virtual money and is tasked with constructing a portfolio by purchasing securities on the JSE. This portfolio is closely monitored over six months, from March to September, with the team that generates the highest return across all universities declared as the winner. The rewards are enticing, with the top team receiving R30,000 and an all-expenses-covered international trip. The second and third-placed teams receive R20,000 and R10,000, respectively.

Dr Edson Vengesai plays a pivotal role as the guiding force behind the JSE Investment Challenge in the Department of Economics and Finance. He emphasises, “The success of the students in the JSE Investment Challenge reflects the institution's commitment to providing practical and relevant education. It demonstrates that the students are not only learning theory but also how to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios. This achievement enhances the institution's reputation, particularly in the fields of finance and economics. It signifies a high-quality curriculum and a dedication to excellence in education”. 

For more information about the competition, interested individuals can contact Dr Vengesai through the Department of Economics and Finance in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences or via email at vengesaie@ufs.ac.za.

Dawie Bekker, William Oosthuysen, Dr Edson Vengesai, Divan Koch and Keith Tarr

Honours students: Dawie Bekker, William Oosthuysen, Dr Edson Vengesai, Divan Koch and Keith Tarr.

News Archive

UFS cardiac team does pioneering work
2017-10-29

Description: ' 000 Cardiac Pioneers Tags: Cardiac Pioneers 

“With the use of endomyocardial biopsies, the team hopes to treat viruses unique
to Southern Africa, as well as other underlying causes of dilated cardiomyopathy.”

Photo: iStock

Members of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Cardiac team had various achievements at national and international level this year. The Robert WM Frater Cardiovascular Research Centre in the Faculty of Health Sciences has commenced with a pioneering research project regarding idiopathic dilating cardiomyopathy.

With an Afrocentric research focus, Prof Francis Smit, Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the UFS and Head of the Frater Centre, describes dilating cardiomyopathy as a heart muscle disease that is quite common, particularly among people of African descent. The disease weakens the heart muscle, which in turn leads to heart failure.

“To date there is no curable treatment for this condition, and 50% of patients who have shown heart failure, died within a period of five years. The causes of this condition have been unknown in the majority of patients. But over the past few years major strides have been made, where virus infections of the heart muscle, or myocarditis, have been identified as a possible underlying cause. Various genetic diseases are also linked to it,” says Prof Smit.

According to Prof Mokoali Makotoko, Head of the Department of Cardiology, more than 1 500 new cases of heart failure are identified at the Universitas Academic Hospital annually, of which approximately 30% are attributed to cardiomyopathy. “With the use of endomyocardial biopsies, the team hopes to treat viruses unique to Southern Africa, as well as other underlying causes of dilated cardiomyopathy.”

The study is a project that flows from Prof Makotoko’s PhD. The project is being run with Prof Heinz-Peter Schultheiss of the Charité University and the Institute for Cardiac Diagnostics and Therapy in Berlin, Germany.

 "More than 1 500 new cases of heart failure are identified at the Universitas Academic Hospital annually, of which approximately 30% are attributed to cardiomyopathy."

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