These talented folks from the country’s leading schools got picked after a tough judging process by a panel of academics, economists, and reps from the sponsors and government. This year’s essays tackled some real-world economic challenges:

For the undergrads: “Should we use higher import tariffs as a form of trade protectionism to boost jobs in developing countries like South Africa?”

And for the postgrads: “Looking at inflation targeting in South Africa—what’s the best lower target, when to roll it out, and how it stacks up internationally?”

Now, these finalists are vying for some solid cash prizes in their categories:

• Undergrads: First place gets R60,000, second R40,000, and third R20,000.
• Postgrads: First grabs R150,000, second R100,000, and third R50,000.

Jurie Strydom, the CEO of Old Mutual South Africa, is buzzing about the quality of this year’s group. He says it gives him real hope for their impact on future economic talks. “We’re thrilled to back a competition that gets young South Africans thinking deeply about pressing economic issues. These finalists show amazing analysis, smarts, and a genuine drive to shape our country’s future,” he shared.

Nedbank’s CEO, Jason Quinn, echoed that, calling them the cream of the crop. “We’ve been supporting this for years because we believe in building up the next generation for a better society,” Quinn said. “The sharp thinking in these entries proves that getting people involved in policy debates strengthens our democracy. These finalists are prime examples of an active, informed community.”

Next up, the finalists head to Cape Town in February for the big finale, including panel chats and a fancy gala dinner right around the Budget Speech. Winners get announced that night—can’t wait!

That’s the scoop!

A Bit More on the Competition

Since kicking off in 1972, the Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition has been all about sparking big ideas in economics and social sciences in South Africa. It’s like a scholarship program that pushes for sustainable growth and grooms future econ leaders, especially focusing on young black students. Plus, it gets more people excited about economics as a study and career choice.

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The initiative is completely free and is designed to support candidates who are determined to give their matric another try. It offers academic support, learning materials, and guidance to help learners strengthen their performance and move closer to their goals.

To access: https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/dbe-reminds-matric-candidates-second-chance-programme-free

The programme aims to remind young people that one setback does not define their future, and that there are opportunities available to help them succeed academically and open doors to further education or employment.

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In the video, he said his group was not bothered by recent arrests, adding that the government had failed in its duty to protect citizens. He pointed to the jacket he wore, insisting it belonged to a Nigerian soldier, and declared that more high-profile abductions would follow.

He urged Nigerians to rely on divine protection rather than the government, claiming that authorities cannot guarantee safety. He ended the recording with a message to his followers on social media, saying they had “woken up” and wishing them a good day.

The latest threat comes shortly after two major school abductions. On November 21, armed men invaded St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Agwara, Niger State, taking away dozens of students and teachers. Community members who visited the school after the attack described it as a well-coordinated operation carried out between 2am and 3am.

Local officials later confirmed the incident, saying early information suggested that more than 100 students and teachers were abducted from the mixed-gender school.

Just days earlier, another group of armed men attacked Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State. About 25 female students were taken, a staff member lost his life during the incident, and another guard was injured. The attackers stormed the school at dawn, firing shots as students prepared for their morning routines.

These back-to-back school invasions have sparked renewed fear among families and communities, who are calling for stronger protection measures to keep children safe.

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A major security operation involving the military, police, and community vigilantes is underway to locate the remaining 265 children and 12 teachers still missing. The search now stretches across forests and remote routes believed to have been used by the gunmen.

The attack prompted authorities in several states to order immediate school closures, including in Kebbi, Niger, Katsina, Yobe, and Kwara. This came after another incident in Kebbi earlier in the week, where 25 pupils were taken from a boarding school.

President Bola Tinubu has responded by authorizing the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers and redeploying officers previously assigned to VIP protection back to core security duties, especially in areas vulnerable to attacks.

Families in Papiri village, where St Mary’s is located, say they feel abandoned as they wait for updates. Many expected a stronger security presence following the abduction, but residents say no additional forces have arrived.

The escape of the 50 children took place between Friday and Saturday and is being described as a courageous and risky effort to break free from their captors. The mass kidnapping is one of the largest in Nigeria’s history, surpassing even the Chibok school abduction of 2014.

Local officials say armed men entered the school around 2am on Friday. The Niger State governor ordered schools in the area to shut down, urging the public to remain focused on rescue efforts rather than blame.

Parents shared heartbreaking stories of fear and uncertainty. One mother said her nieces, aged six and 13, were among those taken, pleading for their safe return. Another parent whose children were spared described the attack as devastating for the entire community.

Authorities say St Mary’s School had been warned to close its boarding facilities due to intelligence reports of heightened risk. The school has yet to respond to those claims.

Elsewhere in Nigeria, similar incidents were reported last week. More than 20 girls were kidnapped from a school in Kebbi, and 14 farmers were taken in Borno, where one woman was later rescued. In Kwara State, 38 people abducted from a church service were freed, though two people were killed during the attack.

The rise in kidnappings has intensified national frustration. While some international voices have framed the violence as targeting Christians, Nigerian officials say the attackers pose a threat to everyone—Muslims, Christians, and those of no faith—emphasizing that the motives often involve criminal profit or local resource disputes rather than religion.

Nigeria continues to battle long-running insecurity, including attacks by armed groups in the north-east and communal clashes in central regions. The government maintains that it is working to restore safety across affected areas, but many families remain in anguish as the search for hundreds of children continues.

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The Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed that 303 students and 12 teachers were kidnapped from St Mary’s School in Papiri. The updated numbers came after officials completed a detailed verification of those missing. The scale of the attack surpasses the 2014 Chibok school abduction, which had long stood as one of the darkest moments in the country’s history.

According to local authorities, the attackers stormed the school around 2:00am on Friday, seizing students who were sleeping on the premises. Families have been left devastated, many clinging to hope as rescue efforts continue.

Dominic Adamu, whose daughters attend the school, described the shock gripping the community. “Everybody is weak… it took everybody by surprise,” he said. Another distraught woman shared that her nieces—just six and thirteen years old—were among those taken. “I just want them to come home,” she pleaded.

Security operatives are combing nearby forests in an effort to track the kidnappers and rescue the victims. In response, all schools in Niger State have been ordered to shut down.

Authorities revealed that the school had been previously instructed to close its boarding facilities due to intelligence pointing to increased risks of attacks. They say the decision to remain open exposed both students and staff to danger, though the school has not responded to the claim.

Kidnappings for ransom by armed groups—often referred to as bandits—remain a persistent threat across several parts of Nigeria. While ransom payments have been outlawed, the measure has done little to deter the criminal networks responsible for these attacks.

This latest abduction is the third major attack on educational and religious institutions within one week. In Kebbi State, more than 20 schoolgirls were kidnapped earlier in the week. In Kwara State, a church attack left two people dead and dozens abducted.

The rising insecurity has intensified frustration among Nigerians, many of whom are demanding stronger protection for children, schools, and communities. The urgency of the situation also led President Bola Tinubu to postpone planned foreign trips so he could directly address the growing crisis.

The tragedy unfolds amid international debates about religious persecution in Nigeria. Some political figures abroad have alleged that Christians are being specifically targeted, but Nigerian authorities insist that attacks cut across religious lines. They emphasise that criminal groups and extremist militants target Muslims, Christians, and others alike—motivated by ideology, revenge, or competition over resources rather than religion alone.

Northern Nigeria continues to grapple with insurgency, banditry, and farmer–herder conflicts, each contributing to a complex and long-standing security challenge. The memory of the 2014 Chibok abduction still lingers, with around 100 girls still unaccounted for more than a decade later.

As communities wait anxiously for news, the nation hopes that the children and staff of St Mary’s School will be safely returned.

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Before sunrise on Monday, armed men stormed the school hostel, killing a staff member and taking 25 schoolgirls from their dormitories in Maga, Danko-Wasagu area. The attack left the entire community shaken.

Aisha Sani, whose two daughters were taken, says the moment she learned the truth broke her completely:

“Our two girls have been kidnapped. One is in SS3 and the other in SS2. We heard a gunshot in the night but assumed it was the security team. It wasn’t until morning that we discovered the heartbreaking truth.”

For another parent, Usman Muhammad, the fear goes beyond the abduction. He worries that no one will feel safe to send their children back to school unless strong security measures are put in place:

“No child will return unless adequate security is provided. Parents are already saying they won’t risk it again.”

The school’s principal, Hajia Rabi Musa Magaji, tried to comfort the families, saying that authorities are fully involved:

“Everyone who should be here is here. They have assured us that the girls will be rescued, and we believe it will happen soon.”

Incidents like this bring back painful memories of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, which left a permanent scar on many Nigerian families. Despite improvements in security, parents continue to live with the fear that their children are not safe at school.

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The incident occurred when the volunteer, who sometimes assisted the principal with administrative tasks, went to his office to help proofread some documents. After she finished, he asked her for a hug. She agreed, but during the hug, he squeezed her tightly enough for her to feel his erect body. He then tried to kiss her. When she refused, he told her that he would “settle for a baby kiss.”

The volunteer’s mother, who worked at the school, happened to see part of the incident through a window. Alarmed, she immediately went looking for her daughter, soon urging her to leave the school grounds. Later that day, she sent the principal a message warning that her daughter intended to open a sexual harassment case.

It was also alleged that the principal’s wife contacted the mother and offered to send “uncles” to pay damages for the incident—something typically associated with attempts to resolve disputes informally.

The principal denied wrongdoing. He claimed the volunteer initiated the hug, and said the accusations were fabricated by her mother, whom he accused of having made unwanted advances toward him in the past. He insisted that the school was busy on that day and argued that he would not have tried to kiss anyone under such circumstances.

However, evidence revealed that he had sent the mother an apologetic message after the incident. He later said the apology was simply for keeping her daughter at school past normal working hours.

When the matter went before an arbitrator, the volunteer and her mother were found to be more credible witnesses than the principal. The arbitrator also said that even if the principal’s version were true, accepting and participating in such physical contact with a much younger subordinate was inappropriate for someone in his position.

The Labour Court agreed, ruling that his dismissal was justified and that his behavior breached the standards expected of a school leader. His attempt to challenge the decision was dismissed, and the ruling confirming his dismissal stands.

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The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that the school must follow the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) if it wants to access the report, which was compiled by Mdladlamba Attorneys after the department launched a probe into claims of racial discrimination.

The controversy began after a group of students were accused of creating a “whites only” WhatsApp group where racially insensitive messages were shared. Twelve learners were charged and later acquitted in a disciplinary hearing held by the School Governing Body (SGB), which found the group to be a private platform. The Thabo Mbeki Foundation also reviewed the messages and concluded that the students were not guilty of racist conduct.

Despite those findings, the GDE conducted its own investigation and claimed to have found evidence of racial discrimination and institutional shortcomings at the school. The SGB wanted to review this report but first sought a court order compelling the department to release it.

Judge Graham Moshoana rejected the SGB’s application, stating that the school must use the PAIA process to request access. He noted that the SGB had never seen the report and could not yet prove its relevance to any review. “It is like wishing to buy a pig in a poke,” he remarked.

The judge concluded that the report falls under the provisions of PAIA, meaning the school cannot bypass the proper legal channels to obtain it. The ruling means the SGB must first complete the formal information access process before taking any further legal steps.

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Ramaphosa reminded the students that the entire nation stands behind them, urging them to stay calm, focused, and not give in to pressure during this important period.

The national senior certificate exams officially begin today.

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This is not a mere administrative lapse, but it is a violation of both the children’s and service providers’ rights, a betrayal of our constitutional commitment to dignity and education and a direct consequence of poor governance, inefficiency and lack of accountability. This situation is unacceptable and, frankly, avoidable.

The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) is a lifeline for many learners whose only reliable meal of the day comes at school. Cutting that lifeline pushes children into hunger, severely affecting concentration, learning outcomes and overall health.

The reports that thousands of pupils are without food in Tembisa, that some schools are rationing leftover supplies and that some may even suspend classes is not only embarrassing but reveals abdication of responsibilities from those entrusted with looking after the well-being of the most vulnerable learners.

The department’s response is that it is experiencing financial challenges and will finalise payments in the next two weeks, which is simply insufficient and a slap in the face to the learners facing this crisis. Two weeks is too long for children to wait without meals. Its denial of the crisis with the explanation that this is only limited to one service provider is not only hollow but also demonstrates the department’s lack of understanding of the dire conditions faced by learners they are supposed to serve.

With reports that service providers have not been paid for months, thereby under severe financial strain and are often proceeding with deliveries out of commitment, even as they accumulate debt, demonstrates the Department’s nonchalance in caring for learners and for ensuring that SMMEs are supported for economic growth to enable them to create job opportunities.

We must call out this failure for what it is: a systemic breakdown in accountability, procurement, and financial management within the provincial education department. With timelines for repayment. Two weeks ago, ActionSA called on the Department to conduct a forensic audit of procurement and payment practices within the school nutrition programme, including investigating irregular contracts and noncompliant bidders as well as provide timelines for service providers’ payments. The calls fell on deaf ears.

To address this crisis, ActionSA calls on the Gauteng Department of Education to:

• Release outstanding payments to all service providers within 72 hours to prevent further disruption of feeding schemes.

• Ensure delivery schedules are reinstated immediately to the nine affected schools (Reagile, Ebomini, Kanana, Mikateka, OR Tambo, Moriting, Winnie Mandela, Tembisa West, Umqhele, and Ivory Park) as a matter of priority.

• Deploy emergency food relief (with oversight) in the interim so that no learner goes hungry while the system is being corrected.

• Conduct a forensic audit of the procurement, contract management and payment systems within the provincial education department, to identify where bottlenecks and malfeasance have disrupted service delivery.

• Improve transparency and reporting by publishing weekly updates on payments made, deliveries completed and outstanding obligations to affected schools.

• Institute stronger oversight by involving civil society, school governing bodies (SGBs), parent associations and independent monitors to ensure the NSNP works as intended and is not derailed by internal dysfunction.

This is a test of our collective commitment to children’s rights. How the Department responds will indicate how seriously it takes them.

We caution that this crisis will not be an isolated incident, but it is symptomatic of deeper rot in local and provincial government systems: corruption, procurement delays, financial mismanagement, weak monitoring and a persistent lack of political will to fix the basics before grand schemes.

If governments cannot ensure that children receive a meal – something so fundamental – how can the same governments credibly talk about “quality education,” “infrastructure development,” or “social transformation”?

ActionSA will ensure that no learner is deprived of a meal because of bureaucratic or corrupt failure and will advocate for systems-based reforms so that feeding schemes are protected, budgets are ring-fenced and accountability is non-negotiable.

We call on the people of Gauteng – parents, learners, teachers and civil society – to hold the education department to account. Together, we must insist that no child be forced to learn on an empty stomach.

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