Nedbank Pitch & Polish semi-finalists face the toughest judging panel yet: entrepreneurs from Radley Private School

Earlier this week [28 October], the 2025 Nedbank Pitch & Polish finalists faced an unusual panel of judges: Monroe (9), Oyama (11) and Matthew (10). The three guest judges, all learners at Radley Private School, are part of a curriculum where entrepreneurial thinking is introduced from grade RR to matric, giving them a stronger-than-average grasp of business concepts for their age.

The students from grades two to six were invited to present a pitch to Raizcorp CEO, Allon Raiz, also a judge in this year’s competition, who selected the top three based on their confidence and ability to respond to business-related questions.

Beyond the novelty of the moment, the exercise had a clear purpose – if a businessperson cannot explain their idea in a way a child can understand, it may indicate they need to refine their concept.

Here’s what the ambitious young entrepreneurs had to say about the experience.

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1. Monroe Mbuti, age 9, is in grade 4 at Radley Primary School

What was it like being a judge on Nedbank Pitch & Polish?

I really enjoyed the judging experience. It felt exciting to be part of something important and to hear so many interesting business ideas.

Which pitch did you like the most and what made it special?

I liked the pitch from the toilet paper lady the most. I thought it was a really useful product that added value to people’s everyday lives. It was also a smart idea because everyone needs toilet paper, and the toilet paper is eco-friendly.

What did you look for when deciding if a pitch was good or not?

I looked for excitement, confidence, and enthusiasm. I wanted to feel the energy from the business owners and understand how passionate they were about their ideas. I also looked for someone who could explain their business to someone as young as myself.

What did you learn about being a judge?

I learned that when you pitch, you must be confident and keep things simple so the audience can understand you. A good pitch isn’t just about the product, it’s also about how well you explain it.

Was it hard to choose a winner? How did you decide?

Yes, it was really hard to choose because there were so many good ideas. I made my decision based on which pitch had the best presentation and the most useful product, from my point of view.

If you had to pitch your own business idea, what would it be?

My business would offer services to help communities solve big problems like how to deal with financial challenges. I want to make life easier for people by giving them useful solutions for their finances.

How do you think attending Radley Private School, where Entrepreneurship is taught as a subject, gives you an advantage?

Radley gives me real-life practice and guidance about business. Going to Radley means I got to learn about entrepreneurship from an early age, which is a big advantage. It’s helping me understand how to think like a business leader.

1. Oyama Moroeng, age 11, is in grade 5 at Radley Primary School

What was it like being a judge on Nedbank Pitch & Polish?

It was really nice! It was my third time judging and I got the chance to judge people who are older than me, which was fun and exciting.

Which pitch did you like the most and what made it special?

I liked the toilet paper lady’s pitch the most. Her business was eco-friendly and it really stood out because she made toilet paper that’s good for the environment. That was different from all the others.

What did you look for when deciding whether the pitch was good or not?

I looked for someone who could explain their idea clearly, even to a child, without using big or complicated words. I also wanted them to be able to answer the questions from the judges (including me) well.

What did you learn about being a judge?

I learned that being an entrepreneur means having your own opinions and being confident enough to share advice. It’s important not to fear speaking up and believing in your product.

Was it hard to choose a winner? How did you decide?

Yes, it was difficult because everyone did well. I chose the toilet paper lady – and she won! I thought she would help people the most and make a real difference in their lives.

How do you think attending Radley Private School, where Entrepreneurship is taught as a subject, gives you an advantage?

Radley teaches us how to think like entrepreneurs and business owners. That gives us a big head start in understanding how to run our own businesses one day.

1. Matthew Lelo, age 10, is in grade 3 at Radley Primary School

What was it like being a judge on Nedbank Pitch & Polish?

It was exciting and a little nerve-wracking because it was my first time judging and also my first time recording in a studio with so many people, cameras and even Mr Allon Raiz. But in the end, it was such a great experience.

Which pitch did you like the most and what made it special?

The eco-friendly toilet paper pitch really stood out for me. It was all about innovation and I love creating new things that can improve people’s lives. That pitch inspired me.

What did you look for when deciding whether a pitch was good or not?

I looked at the product itself and what kind of problem it was solving for people. I wanted to see how the idea would help others in real life.

What did you learn about being a judge?

I learned how important it is to listen carefully, especially to how the idea was developed, how it will work, what problems it solves, how it will make money and where the funding comes from. I made my decisions honestly based on those things.

Was it hard to choose a winner? How did you decide?

Yes, it was very hard because all the pitches were really good. I chose the toilet paper lady based on how clearly she presented her idea and how her product could improve people’s daily lives.

How do you think attending Radley Private School, where Entrepreneurship is taught as a subject, gives you an advantage?

Radley helps me think like an entrepreneur. It shows me how to come up with creative ideas and find ways to improve people’s lives through business. That kind of thinking gives me a big advantage for the future.

1. Charne De Gouveia, primary school principal at Radley Private School

Participating in Nedbank Pitch & Polish has become a cornerstone of the entrepreneurial journey at Radley Private School. Long before our young entrepreneurs take their seats on the judging panel, they first go through a rigorous internal process — developing and pitching their own business ideas directly to Raizcorp CEO, Allon Raiz. This early-stage experience demands courage, confidence and the ability to clearly communicate under pressure. It’s a vital part of their growth and lays the foundation for strong entrepreneurial thinking.

From there, being selected to judge the actual Nedbank Pitch & Polish event is a game-changing moment. By assessing real-life business pitches, our students sharpen their critical thinking, financial literacy and business acumen. They learn to unpack business models, ask smart and thoughtful questions and give constructive feedback.

This isn’t just an exercise in judging, it’s active, real-world learning. It builds their confidence, creativity and growth mindset. They walk away as more informed, capable and inspired entrepreneurs, well on their way to becoming tomorrow’s problem-solvers and business leaders.

What did you think of their performance on Nedbank Pitch & Polish 2025?

We were incredibly proud of how our young entrepreneurs performed on Nedbank Pitch & Polish 2025. It’s no small task for primary school learners to step into a professional environment filled with lights, cameras and adult entrepreneurs, but our learners (who are in grades 3, 4, and 5) rose to the challenge with courage and composure.

They listened carefully, asked insightful questions and demonstrated a strong understanding of the business ideas being presented. Their ability to grasp complex concepts, think on their feet and communicate clearly was truly impressive.

What makes Radley different from other schools?

Entrepreneurship isn’t something we just teach, it’s something we do. From boardroom behaviour to business language, our learners are immersed in an entrepreneurial environment. We focus on building heartsets like grit and resilience, skillsets like sales and public speaking and mindsets like critical thinking and problem-solving. Each year builds on the last, allowing learners to deepen their understanding and tackle more complex challenges.

One of the most unique aspects of Radley is that learners get to start and run real businesses. They don’t just sell products; they pitch their ideas, analyse their finances and must meet certain criteria to earn a business licence. We monitor their sales, profits (or losses) and business growth. It’s real, hands-on learning that teaches responsibility, strategy and the rewards of hard work. At Radley, learners don’t just learn about entrepreneurship, they live it.

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Diana Kinyanjui

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