From Student to Startup: How CUT empowers young innovators like Jo-anne Lekhetho to build the future, one idea at a time. 

At the Central University of Technology (CUT), students graduate with more than just degrees, they graduate with drive, determination, and dreams in motion. One such dreamer is Ms Jo-anne Elveruschka Lekhetho, a final-year Marketing diploma student who is redefining what it means to be a studentpreneur.

Jo-anne isn’t just focused on her academic journey; she’s also a real estate agent and the founder and CEO of Petragon, a company with a mission to revolutionise student life through innovation.

Her flagship initiative, Ed Cave App, is a cutting-edge mobile and web-based application designed to help students seamlessly navigate the challenges of university life. More than just a support tool, Ed Cave aims to foster entrepreneurial thinking and growth among students, empowering them to become problem-solvers, leaders, and changemakers.

Joanne exemplifies the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines the CUT student body. Her work is a shining example of how education and entrepreneurship can come together to create meaningful impact.

“I wear quite a few hats; I’m a student, a real estate agent, and the founder and CEO of Patragon,” she explains. Patragon is not your typical marketing agency. It is a bold fusion of innovation and strategy, dedicated to delivering tech-driven solutions that solve real-world problems. One of its most exciting initiatives is a mobile app tailored to help students navigate the often-overwhelming experience of university life.

Currently in developmental stage, the App is designed as a comprehensive student life platform. It features augmented reality (AR) campus navigation, an AI-powered personality assessment that matches students to the right courses or universities, a peer-to-peer student marketplace, and even a cafeteria delivery service. It’s built to be a one-stop solution for modern student life.

Jo-anne further mentioned that the idea was not born in a boardroom, but it came directly from her own experience and struggles of navigating the campus as a student. “I used to get lost on campus all the time, and this affected my confidence and even my academics. I knew I couldn’t be the only one, so my team and I did a survey, and the results confirmed it: students needed help.”

From Spark to Flame: Jo-anne’s journey as a student entrepreneur

What started as a spark of insight for Jo-anne quickly grew into a burning passion during her time with Enactus CUT, a student-led entrepreneurship organisation. It was at the MTN Digital Innovation Challenge where she and her team transformed their App idea into reality. “Enactus was a game-changer for me. It taught me how to think like an innovator and work like an entrepreneur,” Jo-anne reflects.

Today, she serves as a Community of Practice (CoP) member for studentpreneurs at Welkom Campus, a key part of the national Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) program. Her mission is clear: to inspire and equip fellow students with the tools and knowledge to start their own businesses.

“We’re collaborating with professionals-lawyers, accountants, mentors etc., who generously volunteer their time to educate us on compliance, financial literacy, and business fundamentals,” she explains. “It’s the kind of support I wish I had when I first started.”

Through her leadership and commitment, Jo-anne is helping to build a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem on campus, empowering students to transform their ideas into successful ventures.

From Classroom to Boardroom: How one student’s journey proves entrepreneurship can be learned anywhere

For many, the idea of becoming an entrepreneur feels like a natural-born talent; something you either have, or you don’t.  Her story tells a different tale, entrepreneurship is a skill that can be learned, nurtured, and started anywhere.

“I used to think you had to be born an entrepreneur,” she says. “But really, it is about noticing a problem around you and asking, ‘How can I solve this?’ Maybe even turn that solution into something that supports you financially.”

Her journey began just like many students’, attending classes, going home, repeating the routine. But something changed when she discovered the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem at CUT.

“The university’s dedication to empowering students beyond traditional academics is clear. Through platforms like Enactus, the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), and the Innovation and Technology Transfer Office, we are not just taught theories, we are equipped with the tools, we are mentored and trained to turn real-world opportunities into meaningful and impactful ideas.”

“CUT did not just give me a classroom education,” she reflects. “It gave me a stage. I went from quietly attending classes to pitching ideas at national competitions, building a real business, and inspiring others to do the same. This university gave me the platform, and I ran with it.”

Jo-anne advanced professionally through her Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placement at Rossouw and Partners Properties, where she is now employed as a candidate property practitioner since August 2023. She mentioned that she applies the knowledge gained from CUT in her daily routine in areas such as marketing and real estate and continues to experience steady growth in her role. When it comes to entrepreneurship, Jo-anne believes it is both an innate talent and a skill that can be developed. Her story is a testament to the fact that entrepreneurship is not reserved for a select few, it is accessible to anyone willing to learn, take risks, and persevere.

“Some people naturally spot problems and seek solutions. I have been like this since I was 10. But even if you’re not born that way, you can learn to identify real pain points and find ways to solve them while earning from it.”

Uploaded: 21 August 2025