Reviving Rides: How Owen Lekala Turned Hike into a South African Mobility Movement
Reviving Rides: How Owen Lekala Turned Hike into a South African Mobility Movement. When Owen Lekala launched Hike – Affordable & Safe Rides, he had a clear vision: build a ride-sharing service that benefitted both drivers and passengers. Born in Mpumalanga and studying software development at Tshwane University of Technology, Owen turned personal sacrifices into startup fuel, saving from his NSFAS allowance, learning to code via YouTube, and skipping meals to fund Hike’s early stages. His story offers invaluable lessons in resilience, smart growth, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Sacrifice and Vision
Owen’s journey began in 2020 when he saved money over several months by cutting back on groceries and printing documents to fund Hike. Amid financial constraints, he saw that traditional ride-hailing services charged high commissions and left drivers and students burdened by unaffordable fees. His solution was simple and bold: build a platform with minimal commission so everyone benefits .
Lesson: Purpose paired with determination can overcome early resource hurdles.
Launching an MVP and Gathering Momentum
In November 2021, Owen rolled out Hike in Gauteng, targeting students and everyday commuters. By early 2022, the platform had over 101 registered drivers and nearly 20 000 installs. Hike introduced carpool-style ride sharing under “Hike Share” and ride hailing through “Hike Ride”, with features like live-trip monitoring, SOS buttons, and audio recording for safety.
Lesson: A minimum viable product rooted in real user problems builds fast adoption and trust.
Growth Through Community and Collaboration
Drivers weren’t just subcontractors; they became co-creators. Owen fostered active WhatsApp groups where drivers shared feedback, identified bugs, and shaped the app’s evolution. A funding injection allowed targeted marketing in Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Polokwane, propelling downloads and engagement.
Lesson: Treat stakeholders as partners, engaged collaborators accelerate growth.
Confronting Setbacks and Rebuilding Smart
Despite rapid progress, 2024 brought headwinds. App store removals forced a rebuild from scratch. Instead of giving up, Owen paused to upgrade infrastructure, improve features, and reacquire driver trust. His transparency, “Hike is not dead, it’s a work in progress”, kept the community engaged.
Lesson: Setbacks are growth signals. Use them to rebuild stronger and more user-centered.
Innovation and Expansion
Hike’s multi-app strategy, Hike Share, Ride, and Driver, underscores modular design for diverse transportation needs. The platform charges only 17% commission, making it more affordable and fair compared to competitors. Sustainability is also a core focus, carpooling was positioned as a tool to reduce emissions. Owen’s plans include scaling across South Africa and eventually into neighboring countries.
Lesson: Smart design and socially-conscious features can unlock competitive advantage and broader appeal.
Lessons For Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Fund with purpose – Sacrifice pain points should align with the mission.
- Start lean – Launch MVPs and iterate based on real feedback.
- Involve stakeholders – Treat users and partners as co-creators.
- Embrace failure – Rebuild transparently and improve iteratively.
- Stand for more – Design with values like affordability and environmental impact.
Conclusion
Owen Lekala’s journey with Hike-Affordable & Safe Rides is a blueprint for purposeful entrepreneurship. From saving student allowances to sparking a ride-sharing revolution across Gauteng, his story shows that passion, resilience, and community engagement can build brands that matter. As Hike evolves into a movement, Owen’s roadmap reminds entrepreneurs: solve real problems, grow with your users, and never fear rebuilding in pursuit of excellence.
