Hekina Inc a Student Company from Marantha Christian High emerged as the overall winner of the 2022 National Company of the Year Competitions. The team will be representing Zimbabwe at the Junior Achievement Company of the Year (ACOY) Competition to be held in Lagos, Nigeria from the 7th to the 9th of December.
The competition gathered 15 winning student companies from Midlands, Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Masvingo to contest for the National Company of the Year Competition.
The event was sponsored by Project Management Institute Educational Foundation, Nedbank, Nestle, Minerva Risk Advisors and Mimosa Mining Company.
The overall winner of the competition was Hekima Inc Student Company from the Maranatha Christian School. The team developed a Study Buddie application to make education accessible for all. Other winners are as follows:
1st runner up – Prompt student company from Zengeza High 1 School, produced a drink branded Nutrimo and is made from naturally, locally available resources. The ingredients on their own have got many health benefits and the combination of these ingredients will double such health benefits.
2nd runner up – Tavy Technologies Student Company from Masvingo Christian College School, developed a software that helps record and keep track of patients logged into clinics. It also keeps track of disbursement of pills and any other clinic inventory.
Best Human Resource Director -Mobi-Cart (St Dominics Chishawasha) developed a website that enables users to experience online shopping from multiple outlets all in one platform.
Best Marketing Director- StarscreenTech (Mbizo High) developed a Digital online store.
Best Finance Director- Ethereal Solutions (Ndarama High) converts used books to new recycled paper, gift bags and cardboard boxes.
Best Productions Directors- went to Prompt Company (Zengeza High 1) produced a drink branded Nutrimo and is made from naturally, locally available resources.
The Executive Director of Junior Achievement Zimbabwe, Allen Chinhanhu during the event stated that: ”Through the JA Company Program, Junior Achievement has developed a simple but highly effective practical approach to solve both challenges and assist government to achieve targeted human, social and economic development by 2030.”
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Director Primary, Secondary and Non-Formal Education Madam O. Kaira, the District School Inspector Absolom Chinoona said: Entrepreneurship is difficult, challenging, taxing, demanding, but it can also be highly rewarding. I encourage all of you also, as you think about the future, to explore every option available to you and to define success and achievement by your own terms.
In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary, JA Africa Chief Operations Officer Phil Mlambo, Nedbank- Head of SME Banking Mirriam Zisengwe, Nestle-Portia, Project Management Institute Zimbabwe Chapter- President Engineer Memory.
The judges for this year’s competition were: Takudzwa Musonza a JA alumni and young entrepreneur, Tawanda Matanda is a Policy and Liaison Support Officer working with the United Nations, Kudakwashe Makwara from Met Bank , Godfrey Saruchera a JA alumni and Vimbai Mapanda from Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe.
The Junior Achievement Company Program aims to inspire high school students to start and run their businesses, develop a product or service, and market their brand. With the support of seasoned volunteers, students come together to form a company, choose a business name and elect company officers to oversee company operations for the program duration. These activities help them hone in-demand skills like creativity, accountability, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, critical thinking, and public speaking to succeed in this competition and thrive global.