For Norton Ramavhoya, a BIS Honours student at the University of Pretoria, student entrepreneurship is about far more than making money. Through interviews with five student entrepreneurs from different academic disciplines, he explored how young people are balancing university life while building businesses with purpose.
Kelly Lesedi Lungu, a final-year Foundation Phase Teaching student and founder of The Muffin Plug, started baking to supplement her income. Inspired by her entrepreneurial parents, she hopes to one day attend pastry school and open her own bakery. “Just start with what you have,” she advises, adding that discipline, consistency, and faith have been central to her journey. She believes that entrepreneurship has taught her resilience while balancing the demands of teaching practicals and running a business. Lungu also hopes that her future success will allow her to create opportunities for aspiring bakers who, like her, have talent but lack the financial means to pursue formal training.
For Nikita Mohlala, a BCom student majoring in Business Management and Taxation, entrepreneurship began by selling sweets in primary school. Today, his ambitions extend to real estate and business innovation. He believes young entrepreneurs should “talk to people who are already doing what you want to do”, stressing collaboration over competition. Mohlala credits reading, networking, and continuous learning for shaping his entrepreneurial mindset from a young age. While balancing university and business remains challenging, he believes that education and entrepreneurship complement one another and provide a strong foundation for future success.
Third-year Mechanical Engineering student Malesela Ngoatje credits curiosity and surrounding himself with entrepreneurs for shaping his outlook. While funding and credibility remain significant challenges, he believes that action matters more than perfection. “A plan will always remain a plan until you execute it,” he says. Ngoatje also views discipline as something that means showing up consistently, even when circumstances are difficult, because others are watching and learning from your example. His long-term vision is to leave behind a legacy that empowers people to pursue their dreams regardless of their circumstances.
Njabulo Sithole, a BCom student, believes entrepreneurship develops resilience and independent thinking. Having started by selling sweets in primary school, he says success belongs “to the person who continues”, encouraging students to learn through action rather than waiting until they feel ready. He hopes to build businesses that create lasting value while opening opportunities for others. For Sithole, success is measured not by wealth, but by the positive impact left on communities and the people around him.
Third-year Geology student Peter Legoabe draws inspiration from his humble upbringing and believes collaboration is essential for success. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: “Just do it. Never mind the fear… look at what you love.” Legoabe says that practical experience has been his greatest teacher, helping him develop confidence and perseverance despite the uncertainties of starting a business while studying. His ambition is to build an enduring legacy by creating products or systems that continue benefiting future generations long after his own career.
In an exclusive interview with PDBY, Ramavhoya said entrepreneurship empowers students to become “job creators rather than job seekers” while developing leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. He believes that universities should be places where students discover purpose alongside earning qualifications and called for stronger support from universities, industry, and government to help student entrepreneurs succeed. Above all, he hopes that by sharing these stories, they will inspire more students to pursue ideas that create a lasting social and economic impact.
