SA Woman Turns R1.4k NSFAS Allowance Into a Thriving Business

• A young lady showed off how she built her business off her National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) money
• The stunner revealed that she had invested R1.4k over six years and ripped off the benefits
• Social media users were impressed by the hun’s way of thinking, and many praised her in the comments
• Briefly News spoke to Naledi Dikotla, who shared her journey of opening up her business and more

While many people splurge their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on their studies or iPhones, this young lady did the opposite.

Woman opens business with NSFAS funds

The Johannesburg lady, who goes by the handle @naledidikotla1, revealed that she opened her business after investing her R1.4 NSFAS allowances for over six years. The hun started her own company named Atlegang Growth SA, where she specialises in placing young people in international and national educational and employment-based opportunities.

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While speaking to the publication, @naledidikotla1 shared that she grew up in Alexandra, where she learnt how to be wise with money. Despite coming from a "toxic environment," as she describes it, @naledidikotla1 was always inspired to start a business.

"I knew that I could only do that when I got to University with my allowance because I didn't have any rich parents or anyone I knew from my close circle who would sponsor me to start my business. I started doing the calculations and financial planning whilst I was in matric to prepare myself mentally for how much I would be willing to sacrifice from my allowance each month to start the business," she shared.

The beginning of a bright future

It was a huge sacrifice for the young business owner, who said she never spent her money on expensive clothes and chose to "thrift my clothes and shoes. " She never did hair or nails but instead spent the money on food. She would sum up all the expenses that she would have spent on these items to plan for her business venture.

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"I spent only R600 per month on food and toiletries. I partnered up with my roommate to spend money together to buy groceries, so our combined budget each month was R1200 because we teamed up. The remaining R800 I used for transport costs to travel to schools to secure clients and printing costs for the business."

@naledidikotla1 said the investment was never enough, so even when the business made money, she would have to split it between herself, the company, and sometimes her family.

"I spent years growing the brand and sacrificing a "young and vibrant" varsity experience to start up my business. I had very few friends because I didn't have time to work and study, and I couldn't go home during our school holidays because I always had to work. It was really hard managing two full-time opportunities, but I always look back and remain grateful because, wow, look at me today," she says.

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Because she struggled to get bursaries after passing her matric with five distinctions and a 90% average, she saw how difficult it was to get sponsors. @naledidikotla1 decided to start a company that applies for students to national universities, bursaries, and scholarships nationally and internationally so that they don't have to. Which has changed the lives of many individuals since its establishment in 2019.

Atlegang Growth SA's plans

@naledidikotla1 plans to become the biggest youth opportunity-based company in South Africa. The young lady shared that they plan to target and assist learners from all nine provinces,

"We dream of doing so much more and expanding within the international market. We are already offering international university applications and have managed to secure partnerships in over 10 countries for over 260 international institutions in the UK, USA, and other countries."

The company is currently exposing youth in South Africa to international travel and work through the Au Pair cultural exchange program, which presently pays Au pair $800+ to au pair in over 10 countries.

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"We will launch an artificial intelligence program for high school learners in South Africa to prepare them for the 4IR takeover while equipping them with work readiness and University readiness skills. We hope that the Department of Education will support us in launching this program and that it will be a life-changing program for youth all across South Africa. We have big plans. If you don't know us yet, now you do," she said.

She advised all young people to start a side hustle where they could earn money by the week, such as starting a laundry service using the res washing machines or braiding people. "Anything to supplement their income would be a good way to invest effectively in their business."

While taking to her TikTok caption, @naledidikotla1 encouraged individuals, saying:

"They’ll never tell you how hard it will be, they’ll never show you how to make money because people think there’s not enough space at the top for everyone! They’re wrong! We can all eat!

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The stunner also said she would drop her on an ebook titled “How to Start a Business in SA.”

Watch the inspiring video below:

SA react to young woman’s NSFAS-funded business

The stunner inspired many people in Mzansi, who applauded her for creating generational wealth and a space where young people could thrive.

Miss_Odetta said:

"I'm very inspired. Higher you go, black child!"

To responded by saying:

"Let’s meet at the top!"

Landiwemalandi expressed:

"Some of us can't save it because we have a family to help out with that money...Happy for you, thou."

Host Like a Pro gushed over the hun success, saying

"It’s not NSFAS. It is you that did that!"

Michelle commented:

"I love this, may God bless you and your entire team."

Student uses NSFAS allowance to build ‘room’, result intrigues SA

Briefly News previously reported that one student thought of another positive way to spend the money. Monica Dumazi, a local tertiary education financial aid scheme recipient, used the money to build herself a living space.

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Taking to her TikTok account (@monica_dumazi), the young lady shared a video montage of her home (which she called a room) under construction, stating in her comments that she used the alleged R14,000 she received from each semester.

Source: Briefly News