This 21-year-old student used NSFAS allowance to create e-hailing app

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The 21-year-old software development trainee gave up meals and other necessities to pursue his dream of starting his own e-hailing company, Hike.

Lekala was raised in a small town outside of Witbank, Mpumalanga, and despite his underprivileged background, his family fully supported him, and he ended up excelling in school.

The young man describes himself as having an entrepreneurial spirit. In 2020, he began by saving his Nsfas allowance to buy a printer and print documents for other students.

“I made a bit of money there and funded other ideas which, unfortunately, failed. But this did not dissuade me, and I pushed forward,” said Lekala.
10 Nov 2022 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

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