News24 | Sweet-selling teen lands business school bursary after matric ball fundraiser success

• Viral sweet-selling teen Rudolph Lekay, who woke up at 04:00 daily to sell R2 sweets in Mitchells Plain to fund his matric ball, is now starting a three-year BCom in Strategic Brand Management.
• After earning a Bachelor’s pass, he received overwhelming public support and was awarded a fully paid bursary from the Alfeco Foundation, covering tuition, accommodation and living costs.
• The determined first-generation college student says he is ready to make his family proud and build the entrepreneurial future he has always dreamed of.

Viral sweet-selling teenager Rudolph Lekay is ready to learn how to make success his business.

He will start his three-year degree in Strategic Brand Management on Monday and become the first member of his family to pursue tertiary studies.

And he did it through a tenacious desire to earn his own money selling sweets at a taxi rank, garnering huge public support and earning himself a fully-paid bursary.

In 2025, Lekay – then a matric pupil – made headlines after News24 published a series of articles about the determined young man who woke up religiously at 4:00 daily to head to the Town Centre public transport rank in Mitchells Plain, where he sold sweets for R2 before boarding a bus to school in Ravensmead.

He did it to fund his own matric ball and relieve the burden on his pensioner mother, Rosaline.

His tenacity sparked an outpouring of support from South Africans, who dug deep into their pockets to donate.

What started as a goal of R10 000 was surpassed in just over a week, with major donations coming from South Africans living in the US, China and Singapore.

READ | ‘To God be the glory’: Mitchells Plain teen who sold R2 sweets achieves bachelor’s pass

YouTuber Renaldo Gouws, who set up a BackaBuddy account to help Lekay reach his dream, donated a separate cash injection of just over R70 000 to the family.

Lekay aced his matric results with a Bachelor’s pass and subsequently enrolled at Emeris in Cape Town.

A fully paid bursary by the Alfeco Foundation was also awarded to Rudolph after his story touched their hearts.

Now the future looks even brighter.

Sitting down with News24, Rudolph speaks of his happiness at “finally getting to live out my dream” as he prepares for the next chapter of his young life.

“There’s that saying that goes: ‘It all seems impossible until it’s done’,” Rudolph said, struggling to contain his emotions when he speaks about being the only one of his siblings to further his studies.

“All my sisters passed matric, but went straight into the working world. I am my mommy’s last born and the first in my family to head off to college. It’s a full circle moment for all of us because I know they all wanted me to make a success of my life.”

When the foundation called to offer him the bursary, Lekay had to ask them to repeat themselves twice.

“It sounds insane, mostly because opportunities like this don’t always come around for youngsters from the Cape Flats. It’s still mindblowing that this is my life right now,” a sobbing Lekay said.

READ | Meet the viral matric pupil selling R2 sweets at a taxi rank to pay for his matric ball

Last week, he attended orientation at Emeris, meeting his lecturers, seeing where he will attend classes, taking in the magnificent Table Mountain views from his lecture theatre, exploring potential student accommodation and experiencing the hustle and bustle of the busy CBD.

“Everything is just perfect – it’s overwhelming, but I’m not complaining. The good Lord saw it fit to see me through till this pivotal point in my life, and I’m soaking it all in. But I’m also very mindful that I worked hard to get here. I’m going to make myself and my family proud,” Lekay said.

While most teenagers were still in bed on Friday morning, Rudolph was once again at the Town Centre selling sweets.

An hour later, he boarded a bus to attend orientation for his BCom in Strategic Brand Management, an undergraduate degree fully paid for by his bursary that will cover the next three years of tuition, study materials, student accommodation and even a stipend for clothes and food.

Alfeco Foundation founder Sachin Ahuja said it was Lekay’s resilience, determination and quiet strength that moved them to offer him one of their bursaries.

“Despite the challenges he has faced, he has remained committed to his education and consistently demonstrated a strong desire to build a better future for himself and his family,” Ahuja said.

“At the Alfeco Foundation, we believe in supporting young individuals who show both potential and perseverance – and Rudolph embodies both. Supporting him was not just about academic merit, but about investing in a young man whose character and drive truly reflect hope and possibility.”

WATCH | Rudolph Lekay’s sweet journey to fund his matric ball ends on a high

Beyond financial support, Ahuja said the foundation also provides guidance and mentorship to ensure that Lekay feels supported both academically and personally as he transitions into tertiary education.

“Our intention is not simply to fund his studies, but to stand alongside him in a holistic way. Our commitment is not only financial, but it is also relational. We want Rudolph to know that he has a support system behind him as he takes this important step toward his future,” Ahuja said.

“We believe education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking cycles of hardship. By investing in Rudolph, we are investing in a future leader who can, in turn, uplift others. His story is a reminder that with the right support, talent and determination can thrive regardless of background.”

Emeris College campus head Saleem Jackson said they tracked down the teenager after reading about his fundraising.

Keen to applaud his efforts, Jackson also wanted to offer him guidance on studying and applying to universities, especially at their college.

“Shortly after contacting him, I saw an enquiry coming through with his name and that he wishes to study a BCom with a focus on management, as he had mentioned that he had started his own small business and is very business-minded and driven,” Jackson said.

Lekay’s first-year costs are R110 280, which have already been “fully taken care of”.

“Rudolph’s story is deeply meaningful for the entire Emeris community. It serves as a powerful reminder of why access to education matters and the life-changing impact it can have, not only for an individual student, but for families and communities as well,” Jackson said.

Lekay’s resilience, determination and commitment to furthering his education embody the very values the institution seeks to nurture in its students, Jackson said.

“It is about hope, dignity and the possibility of a different future. We are incredibly proud to welcome him into the Emeris community and look forward to walking this journey alongside him.”

Meanwhile, the Lekay family say they are in awe of Rudolph and his achievements.

“We are all so proud of my son; he proved that he can do anything he puts his mind to. He is such an inspiration to many young boys out there,” Rosaline said.

She said she has already given him “the big talk” about looking after himself and remembering the goals he set for his future.

“He knows there are a lot of people looking to his success, and mommy isn’t going to always be there to hold his hand. He knows he must make wise choices when he leaves the house every day because the evil eye is always looking to tempt the young ones,” Rosaline said.

For a beaming Rudolph, his eyes remain firmly set on becoming the entrepreneur he has always dreamed of being.

“Nothing can stop me right now. It’s all the way up from here,” he said.

Do you have a great story to tell? Email feelgood@news24.com.