Samkele Mthuli and a few friends began by asking themselves how to turn the problem into an opportunity. Image: Taygon Sass, UWC

It all started when Samkele Mthuli, a 24-year-old second-year computer science student at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), needed a fridge. Searching several platforms, some would respond, others would not; it was exhausting. But instead of letting the problem linger, Mthuli turned to what he knew best: web development.

“I’m a web developer,” he thought. “Why not build something that helps students like me?” That moment of necessity sparked the idea for Campus Marketplace, a website where students can buy, sell, and trade services and items with each other. 

Mthuli and a few friends began by asking themselves how to turn the problem into an opportunity. They wanted to test their skills - not just technical, but entrepreneurial.

The goal was to build a platform that saved time, built trust, and gave students a space to share opportunities, especially women who often face barriers in entrepreneurship. Most of their resources went into making sure the platform was secure and functional.

In the beginning, Campus Marketplace barely got five views a week. But the platform began to grow through relentless optimisation, especially around search functionality.

They focused on ensuring students could easily find what they were looking for, whether it was a service, a product, or another student entrepreneur.

Within months, traffic surged. Last month alone, Campus Marketplace saw over 1.6 million hits, with most of the traffic coming from Germany, followed by the United States. It was a clear sign that student-to-student trade was not just viable, it was in demand.

Samkele Mthuli has called on fellow students to explore the platform. Image: Tagon Sass, UWC

Security was a top priority. He partnered with campus cybersecurity groups to test vulnerabilities, even offering prizes to students who could ethically hack the platform. Sellers were required to verify their student status with student numbers and cards, and the team began implementing closed registration to ensure only legitimate student vendors could participate.

Despite the platform’s success, Mthuli isn’t making any money. “The goal is leverage. If I can show banks or partners that students use this platform daily, it becomes a powerful tool. We want to keep it free for students and monetise through partnerships and advertising.” 

But Mthuli remains driven and works to perfect the platform. He is constantly refining it, working on official designs, and dreaming of expanding Campus Marketplace to other campuses and internationally. He sees it not just as a business but as a way to grow his development skills, build connections and explore new ideas.

Officially, Mthuli is the sole founder, but he’s quick to acknowledge the support he’s received. One friend paid for his web development course and continues to help with maintenance and security testing. Others have volunteered to test the platform and provide feedback. It’s a solo vision, backed by a community.

Campus Marketplace is just the beginning for Mthuli. “I envision building a complete student ecosystem from Campus Stay, a platform for finding safe and affordable accommodation, to Campus Eats, where students can connect with cafeterias and food services. The goal is to create a seamless digital space where students can access all campus life essentials.”

His message to fellow students is clear: “Explore the platform. Use it. If you’re an entrepreneur, this is your space. You don’t need WhatsApp groups or flyers; your customers are already here.”

@uwconline What started as a search for a fridge turned into a student-powered marketplace. UWC’s Samkele Mthuli built Campus Marketplace to help students buy, sell, and connect, now with over 1.6 million views and counting. #IAmUWC ? VLOG Dramatic Calming BGM(1390605) - SKUNK