Kaya 959 Kaya Biz

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

Loading player...
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

Other recent episodes

PIC At War With Itself: Governance and the health of Pensions

The Public Investment Corporation—custodian of more than R3 trillion in public money and the retirement savings of millions of South Africans—is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. A whistleblower complaint, the controversial Lanseria Airport deal, the precautionary suspension of CEO Patrick Dlamini, board resignations and FSCA…
29 Jul 2PM 10 min

Africa’s Delivery Generation: Youth Demand Jobs & Clean Government

The African Youth Survey 2026 reveals a rising generation more optimistic than at any time since the pandemic — but demanding delivery, accountability and economic dignity. Commissioner Ivor Ichikowitz unpacks why optimism has surged, why cost‑of‑living pressures dominate youth concerns, and why young Africans support democracy but reject Western models…
29 Jul 1PM 12 min

SA’s Energy Future in a Volatile World

South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission, the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the National Planning Commission have issued a joint advisory note on how the country should navigate its Just Energy Transition amid ongoing geopolitical shocks. Dipak Patel unpacks Africa’s vulnerability to imported fossil fuels, the urgency of accelerating renewable energy,…
29 Jul 12PM 14 min

Building a Future‑Ready Mining & Energy Company: Mantengu’s Next Chapter

Mantengu CEO Magen Naidoo shares how he is steering the company into a new era — blending mining and energy strategy, people‑centred leadership, fiscal discipline and operational transformation. With 24 years of experience, including 17 at Deloitte, Naidoo discusses culture, capability building, risk management and what it takes to build…
28 Jul 1PM 16 min

AI, 4IR & Mining’s Future: Human‑Centred Innovation for Africa

RIIS energy and sustainability expert Sylvesters Okello unpacks PwC’s Ten Insights into 4IR in South African Mining. We explore CEO‑driven AI adoption, the sector’s poor data maturity, the massive digital skills gap, and why mining must embrace human‑centred technology. A powerful conversation on how AI can enhance safety, productivity and…
28 Jul 1PM 14 min
All episodes