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Most first-year university students face financial challenges and become harder when they need to buy expensive textbooks. Nkcubeko had to face the harsh reality of having to buy second-hand textbooks that’s when an idea popped up about an App that allows students to resell their textbooks.
Molteno-born Entrepreneur Nkcubeko Noyila (25) decided to come up with a solution to help a student who were struggling financially and did not have the means to buy new textbooks as they are expensive.
I come from a family with an entrepreneurial background, my dad has always made sure that he nurtured my mind, so I was always watching for ways to bridge gaps in the form of business and I sharpened these skills in university, she explains.
When she enrolled for her first year at the University of Free State, like any student she had to face the harsh reality of buying books for her Bachelor of Social Sciences qualification, which was pricy. The only option she had was to only buy second-hand books from senior students which was also a daunting task.
Her journey as an App developer started when she was doing her first year at university and came up with an app called Rebooked which addresses a glaring need in an academic environment where most people can’t afford new books. Her Rebooked App was recognized and led to the offer of a place in an MTN mentorship program in which she was one of the finalists in the 2022 MTN SA Women in Digital Business Challenge.
“The Rebooked app connects sellers and buyers of second-hand books offering an alternative to buying new academic books or prescribed textbooks at retail prices through the limited numbers and dealers,” she says. She adds that many of the students could not buy the books needed because textbooks could cost well-over R1000, so they had to borrow and share books or spend countless hours at a library to read.
While Rebooked was previously only active at certain times during the year as it focused merely on university books, the app has now been developed to cater to all lovers of books. “I see Rebooked becoming a place where even aspiring authors can self-publish and market their e-books and traditional paperbacks,” she says. She adds that the revamped Rebooked app goes live this month.
THE MTN Women in Digital Business Challenge forms part of the MTN Groups’ commitment to developing ICT SMEs on the continent. It aims to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset by providing R1 million to 10 business SMME candidates for working capital needs, business development, tangible assets, mentorship, and advancing technology.
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