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Media release

Media release

JA South Africa & Absa Group kick off 2025 company program

9 June 2025

JA (Junior Achievement)  South Africa and Absa Group have marked the  successful continuation of their partnership at the launch of the second year of the JA Company of the year program (previously known as  Enterprise Program Plus EP+). The JA Company Program is JA’s flagship initiative that equips high school learners with essential entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness skills.

The partnership that kicked off last year reaffirms both organisations’ commitment to empowering youth through practical, hands-on learning that transforms classroom concepts into real-world business ventures. With over 1,000 Grade 10 – 11 learners expected to participate once again, the 2025 cohort will experience an enhanced curriculum and deeper mentorship, culminating in the prestigious JA South Africa Company of the Year (COY) competition. The partnership launch took place at Ponelopele Oracle High School in Kaalfontein, which saw two learners  who took part in last year’s program participate in the Girls in leadership training program in Ghana earlier this year.

During the launch, JA South Africa outlined the Company of the Year theme for calling for   ACT!: Action for Climate Transformation”, a theme that seeks to  challenge learners to imagine and build AI-driven, sustainable solutions that addresses environmental and societal challenge, with a specific focus on Innovation & Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Financial Technology, Digital Media & Creation, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy & Sustainability, as they explore businesses in the six categories.

 

As with last year, learners will compete provincially before the top teams advance to the national finals in Gauteng.

“We are excited to see this impactful partnership with Absa Group grow from strength to strength. In year two, we are not only scaling the program’s reach but deepening its impact in life-changing ways. We’ve witnessed shy learners evolve into confident presenters, their pitches transforming from hesitant beginnings to polished business cases that impressed judges at provincial, national, and even regional levels. For some, this program sparks a passion for entrepreneurship that reawakened their love for learning—and revealed leadership and problem-solving abilities previously hidden in the traditional classroom. From boarding their first flight to getting their first passport, the exposure and inspiration these young people gain is truly priceless. These are not just student companies; they are launching pads for dreams’’ says Nelo Spies, Executive Director of Junior Achievement South Africa.

The second-year rollout will expand to more schools across South Africa’s nine provinces, offering learners enhanced opportunities to receive mentorship from Absa Group professionals and industry experts. Participants will also benefit from practical business exposure through site visits, guest lectures, and increased access to digital resources.

“For Absa Group, empowering youth through entrepreneurship education is not a once-off investment – it’s a sustained commitment to shaping South Africa’s future. We believe in the stories and dreams of every learner who steps into this programme. By building on the success of our first year, we’re doubling down on our mission to enable young people to take ownership of their economic futures’, says Dr. Steven Zwane, Managing Executive of Corporate Citizenship at Absa. “

This year the partnership will also highlight the journeys of the learners as they share how they are building thriving communities as they showcase how they grow their project companies.

9 June 2025

JA (Junior Achievement)  South Africa and Absa Group have marked the  successful continuation of their partnership at the launch of the second year of the JA Company of the year program (previously known as  Enterprise Program Plus EP+). The JA Company Program is JA’s flagship initiative that equips high school learners with essential entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness skills.

The partnership that kicked off last year reaffirms both organisations’ commitment to empowering youth through practical, hands-on learning that transforms classroom concepts into real-world business ventures. With over 1,000 Grade 10 – 11 learners expected to participate once again, the 2025 cohort will experience an enhanced curriculum and deeper mentorship, culminating in the prestigious JA South Africa Company of the Year (COY) competition. The partnership launch took place at Ponelopele Oracle High School in Kaalfontein, which saw two learners  who took part in last year’s program participate in the Girls in leadership training program in Ghana earlier this year.

During the launch, JA South Africa outlined the Company of the Year theme for calling for   ACT!: Action for Climate Transformation”, a theme that seeks to  challenge learners to imagine and build AI-driven, sustainable solutions that addresses environmental and societal challenge, with a specific focus on Innovation & Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Financial Technology, Digital Media & Creation, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy & Sustainability, as they explore businesses in the six categories.

 

As with last year, learners will compete provincially before the top teams advance to the national finals in Gauteng.

“We are excited to see this impactful partnership with Absa Group grow from strength to strength. In year two, we are not only scaling the program’s reach but deepening its impact in life-changing ways. We’ve witnessed shy learners evolve into confident presenters, their pitches transforming from hesitant beginnings to polished business cases that impressed judges at provincial, national, and even regional levels. For some, this program sparks a passion for entrepreneurship that reawakened their love for learning—and revealed leadership and problem-solving abilities previously hidden in the traditional classroom. From boarding their first flight to getting their first passport, the exposure and inspiration these young people gain is truly priceless. These are not just student companies; they are launching pads for dreams’’ says Nelo Spies, Executive Director of Junior Achievement South Africa.

The second-year rollout will expand to more schools across South Africa’s nine provinces, offering learners enhanced opportunities to receive mentorship from Absa Group professionals and industry experts. Participants will also benefit from practical business exposure through site visits, guest lectures, and increased access to digital resources.

“For Absa Group, empowering youth through entrepreneurship education is not a once-off investment – it’s a sustained commitment to shaping South Africa’s future. We believe in the stories and dreams of every learner who steps into this programme. By building on the success of our first year, we’re doubling down on our mission to enable young people to take ownership of their economic futures’, says Dr. Steven Zwane, Managing Executive of Corporate Citizenship at Absa. “

This year the partnership will also highlight the journeys of the learners as they share how they are building thriving communities as they showcase how they grow their project companies.