Filter and Adjudication Panel
- The Filter Panel and Adjudication Panel comprise representatives from sponsors Nedbank and Old Mutual, as well as National Treasury, the business sector, academia and external consultants. It must be noted that the
judges’ decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome of their decisions. - All essays are initially marked by the Filter Panel and the semi-finalists in each category are selected.
- The Adjudication Panel then mark the essays of all semi-finalists and after mutual agreement, selects the finalists for the final round.
- Finally, finalists are interviewed face to face and the winners and runners up in each category are selected.
GENERAL information
- 10 postgraduates and 10 undergraduates will be chosen as finalists to attend various activities in Cape Town in February 2025, to coincide with the National Budget Speech.
- All finalists will be hosted by the sponsors and must be available to participate in the activities and functions that occur during their stay in Cape Town.
- A maximum of five students from any campus will be entitled to be in the top 20 in each category. In the event of their being more than five from one campus, the highest ranking essays will be selected to go through to the Adjudication Panel.
Adjudication Criteria
Primary Criteria
The focus of the competition is on academic excellence and essays will be judged primarily on merit and quality. If there is one essay that is of significantly higher standard than the rest, this will be regarded as the winner.Secondary Criteria
Essays that are of the same quality will be evaluated further using the following criteria:- Empowerment (black students will be given preference).
- Student’s potential.
- Student’s needs (students who cannot afford to further their studies in South Africa).
- Student’s community involvement.
- Student’s commitment to address the country’s economic issues.
- Additional Criteria
The Adjudication Panel will interview the ten postgraduate and ten undergraduate finalists. Finalists must be available to attend interviews in person in Cape Town in February 2025. The panel will evaluate each student in terms of the following criteria:- Intellectual sparkle.
- Ability to formulate and express rational arguments.
- Understanding and knowledge of topical economic issues.
- Competition Closed
- Do you have a Query?
- For queries about the competition, please contact the Budget Speech Competition administrator.