If there’s one thing about us South Africans, it’s that we know how to hustle. Whether it’s making a plan when there isn’t one, starting a business from nothing, or simply pushing through life’s challenges with a ‘make a plan’ attitude, Mzansi is full of people who turn the impossible into a reality. And sometimes, just sometimes, life throws in a lekker surprise to speed up the process.
Not all success stories start in boardrooms or with million-rand investments. Some begin with a side hustle that suddenly blows up. Others start with a regular oke taking a chance on something different—and boom—life changes overnight.
Here are a few stories of people who went from grinding every day to living the dream.
From Selling on the Side to Running the Show
Remember when side hustles were just something you did to make ends meet? Well, for many South Africans, that little ‘extra’ becomes the main event. Just ask Siya*, a guy from Joburg who started selling vintage sneakers out of the boot of his car.
It started as a way to make quick cash—scouring secondhand stores, cleaning up the kicks, and flipping them on Instagram. But then, boom! One viral post, a few influencers rocking his stock, and suddenly he had a full-blown sneaker brand. Fast forward a couple of years, and he’s not just reselling anymore—he’s designing his own line, stocked in major retailers.
Moral of the story? That ‘small’ thing you’re working on after hours? It might just be the thing that changes your life. Keep at it.
(*Siya isn’t real, but his story is inspired by many South Africans who’ve turned side hustles into empires.)
The Surprise Promotion That Changed Everything
We all know someone who works like a machine but stays underpaid and underappreciated. That was Lindiwe, a waitress in Cape Town who had been serving tables for years, dreaming of something bigger but stuck in the routine of life. One evening, while handling a particularly difficult table (you know, the ones who think ‘the customer is always right’ means they can behave like toddlers?), she caught the attention of a restaurant investor.
Instead of just seeing her as a waitress, he saw her potential. He offered her a training programme, and within a year, she was running her own spot—same city, different life.
Sometimes, all it takes is the right person noticing your hustle. Keep showing up, even on the days you don’t feel like it. You never know who’s watching.
The Artist Who Blew Up Overnight
Thabo had been rapping since high school, but let’s be honest—half the country has a cousin who thinks they’re the next Cassper. He had talent, but talent alone doesn’t always pay the bills. He was working a regular 9-to-5, dropping tracks on SoundCloud in his spare time, hoping someone would notice.
Then one day, a local DJ stumbled on his song, played it in a club, and just like that—it took off. Within a month, Thabo was getting booked for gigs. Within a year, he had a record deal.
A lot of people think success comes overnight, but real ones know—there were years of grind before that ‘big break.’ Keep pushing.
When Fortune Smiles – Literally
Of course, sometimes life doesn’t wait for the hustle to pay off—it just decides to bless you. Take Samke, who was just a regular Jozi girl working an admin job, paying bills, and living for the weekend. She wasn’t expecting anything to change dramatically. But one random day, she put a small bet down on a whim, barely thinking twice about it.
And guess what? She won. Big. The type of money that makes you sit down and reconsider your entire life.
She could’ve splurged it all in one go, but nah—she was smart. Paid off debt, bought property, and invested. Today, she’s sitting pretty, financially free before 35. Not bad for a casual punt.
Not everyone will hit a windfall like that, but if you’re curious about who else has, check out the hall of winners at 10bet. You might be inspired to take a small risk of your own—who knows?
Mzansi’s Winning Formula
What do all these stories have in common? Whether it’s building a business, getting a lucky break, or even catching some unexpected fortune, one thing is clear—South Africans know how to take opportunities and run with them.
If you’re out there hustling, waiting for your moment, don’t stop now. That thing you’re grinding for? It might be just around the corner. Keep pushing. Keep showing up. And when the opportunity comes, take it and make it count.