More than 800 Manzomthombo High School pupils filled up a tent erected on the school premises, on Friday May 18, to learn crucial financial tips as part of Metropolitan KickStartz Programme. The programme helps pupils with financial knowledge and to become better citizens and save wisely.Member of the programme, Liyema Nomangola, said she was happy to have been selected as part of the programme. The Grade 11 pupil said she opened a savings account after attending a three-day workshop by the company. She said she learned not to misuse money. “We have since designed a logo for our company, Fantastic 10 Footwear became we learned to have a small business entity. The programme has shaped me in such that I no longer waste money on unnecessary things like before. I will soon have my own money and a lot of it,” said the excited pupil.
Fellow pupil, Yonela Ranga, advised her peers to join the programme.
“It is a lifetime experience. The programme is also enjoyable. They should take it seriously and learn more from it,” she said.
School principal, John Matiso, said the programme had been running at his school for two years now. He said it encouraged pupils to be financially responsible. He called on other big companies to invest in previously disadvantaged communities.
“These partnerships are crucial,” he said.
He urged companies to invest in pupils while at school, not to wait until they work. “Resources should be brought back where people are,” he said.
Corporate social investment manager for the insurance company, Elsie Govender, said the programme is designed to equip high school pupils with financial and entrepreneurial knowledge.
She advised pupils to start saving early in their lives and avoid credit.
“Most schools that we have approached welcomed the programme,” she said, adding that it taught important skills such as teamwork and public speaking.