JA SOUTH AFRICA PROVINCIAL WINNERS GET READY FOR NATIONAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR (COY)

Junior Achievement (JA) South Africa is excited to announce the finalists for the prestigious JA Company of the Year Competition (COY) 2024! This year’s event will showcase the exceptional talent and innovative spirit of 18 teams of Grade 10–11 learners from across the country. These provincial winners have demonstrated outstanding creativity and entrepreneurship, addressing real-world environmental challenges through innovative solutions. The theme of the 2024 competition, GreenOvation, focuses on combining environmental sustainability with entrepreneurial innovation.

As part of the JA Enterprise Plus Program, this competition empowers young people to develop their entrepreneurial skills, fostering a new generation of business leaders. The provincial winners will converge at the Gold Reef City Hotel in Johannesburg from 25–27 September 2024, culminating in the announcement of the national winners on 27 September.

“Entrepreneurship education is the foundation for building a sustainable and thriving economy. Through the Junior Achievement Enterprise Program, we’ve empowered over 1,000 learners with the practical skills and entrepreneurial mindset needed to not only run an enterprise but to create meaningful solutions that impact their communities. These young leaders are the future drivers of South Africa’s economic growth, and we’re excited to see the innovative ideas they bring to life at this year’s Company of the Year competition.”
– Nelo Spies, Executive Director, Junior Achievement South Africa

Meet the Teams
Over the course of the week leading up to the competition, we’ll introduce two teams per day, highlighting their innovative products or services. Each team embodies the spirit of GreenOvation, tackling environmental issues with creativity and entrepreneurial flair.

The finalists are:

  • Tenacity (Gauteng) – Vertical Garden

  • Nurture Nature (Gauteng) – Water Filter Bottle

  • Earthwise (Gauteng) – Self-Generating Power Lamp

  • Green Spark Innovation (Gauteng) – Safe Bracelet

  • Eco Pioneers (Mpumalanga) – Solar Brella

  • Jeanius Bag (Mpumalanga) – Waterproof School Bag

  • Voltage Masters (North West) – Bulb

  • Eco Cool Up (North West) – The Breezer

  • Gsp (Western Cape) – Plug

  • Game Heaven (Western Cape) – Dashtrough Africa

  • Wolf (Kwazulu-Natal) – Body Monitor

  • EcoNext (Kwazulu-Natal) Artificial bin

  • Thrives Of Greener (Limpopo) – Alternative Ink

  • Young Solutions (Limpopo) – Connect App

  • New Tech Company (Eastern Cape) – New Tech Company

  • I Wear (Eastern Cape) – I Wear

  • Washa Washa (Northern Cape) – Dry Bath

  • Ardor Works (Northern Cape) – Body Scrub

 Learners from Rhodesfield High School in Gauteng, home to Team Tenacity, shared their excitement:
“Our community has struggled with air quality and dust. Through the JA Enterprise Plus Program, we’ve developed environmentally friendly solutions, and it means the world to us. We’re not just learning entrepreneurship; we’re understanding how innovative solutions are all around us.

JA South Africa extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the provincial winners and participants of the JA Company of the Year Competition in collaboration with Absa Group. We look forward to seeing how these young entrepreneurs will continue to shape the future with their creativity and determination.