From small business to big ambitions: Cape Flats student turns hustle into a bright future

Rudolph Lekay’s journey began with a simple, determined goal not unlike many other students his age, to fund his matric dance and have an incredible milestone to look back on one day. His determination to achieve this, and the journey this goal ultimately led him on, however, are what set Lekay apart.

Growing up in Mitchell’s Plain in Cape Town, Lekay says he watched his mother work tirelessly to provide for him. Rather than add to her financial burden, he decided to earn the money to make his matric dance a memorable one by selling sweets around his neighbourhood. What many would consider a small side hustle inevitably sparked an entrepreneurial drive that opened doors to an even brighter future ahead, and that continues to shape his ambitions today.

Footage of Lekay’s early morning hustle, showing him waking before dawn to sell sweets and chips at a busy taxi rank, circulated on TikTok and caught the attention of people beyond his immediate community. It was this consistent determination, visible in small daily actions, that led Raa-iq Solomons, Senior Student Advisor at Emeris, to reach out and offer guidance.

When opportunity strikes

Seeing the effort Lekay had put into his matric dance and early businesses, Solomons offered guidance on study options and bursary opportunities. “When I first came across Rudolph, I could see the sincerity and determination of a young man who didn’t grow up with much. Reaching matric is already a huge milestone in our communities,” he says.

Solomons saw someone who had both ambition and drive, but who lacked access to the guidance and financial support needed to take the next step. Motivated to ensure that Lekay’s hard work translated into lasting opportunity, he began advising him on study options and connecting him with bursary opportunities, a pathway that eventually led to support from the Alfeco Foundation.

What began as guidance and a desire to help further someone else’s journey resulted in in a formal collaboration to back Lekay’s studies, with the Alfeco Foundation and Emeris working together to support Rudolph on his journey. The foundation will be covering 50% of his tuition along with it his study material, accommodation and food expenses for the next three years. Emeris will ensure that the balance of his fees are met, reinforcing their commitment to widening access to quality higher education, because potential should never be limited by circumstance.

With these opportunities available to him, Lekay enrolled for a Bachelor of Commerce in Strategic Management at Vega School at Emeris Cape Town City. The programme is designed to combine practical, real-world projects with academic rigour, and gives him a framework to refine his ideas, apply problem-solving in structured coursework and gain the credentials to compete with other entrepreneurs.

Solomons emphasises that this combination of access to guidance and resources as well as practical learning ensures that ambition like Lekay’s can be fully realised. “Students like Rudolph have the drive, but without proper guidance, their potential often goes untapped. Here, he has access to resources, mentorship and practical opportunities that make a real difference.”

Lekay adds, “I plan to use my practical experiences while studying by applying the knowledge I learn and approaching projects with my problem-solving skills.” Alongside his coursework, he continues to run small ventures to test and refine what he learns in real time.

Beyond academics, Rudolph’s long-term ambition is to provide for his mother, giving back for the sacrifices she made while raising him. “Growing up, I could never ask my mum for things like new shoes or gifts, but I promised myself that one day I would buy her everything she wished for,” he says.

Rudolph’s story is also a testament to resilience. Despite the challenges he faced, he remained committed to his education. As the first in his family to pursue tertiary studies while growing up in a community with significant social and economic challenges, he is determined to show that circumstances do not define future potential. “I want to see the youth of Mitchell’s Plain not be ashamed of where they come from and prevent their circumstances from determining their future,” he says.