“I was lying in bed one night and thought what I was gonna do tomorrow. I went on Twitter and realized how tedious it was to find places, people or things online. I thought: Why don’t we get all these things into one umbrella?” Leighton Friend, a 21-year-old Marketing student explains the birth of JHBStudents.
JHBStudents started off on Twitter as a small project, tweeting about events in and around Joburg. After a year of these event updates, the JHBStudents Twitter account started gaining a great deal of followers. Leighton then realized that this project could have a bigger impact on students in Johannesburg therefore he changed it from just being an events marketing page to being the hub of everything and anything concerning a students’ life.
“It aims at simplifying student life in Joburg.” Adds Leighton as he fidgets around with his fingers.
The main intention of this initiative is to be an online “one stop shop” of valuable information accessible to students such as study and life tips, competitions, events and so much more. Leighton is determined to open as many different business ventures as possible. JHBStudents aims to make the process of aproaching companies for students much easier. Basically, Leighton seeks to be the middle-man between university students and companies, by creating a win-win situation with regards to market related oppotunities.
Being a University of Johannesburg student, Leighton has seen that the project has a major following from the UJ student as well as those of Wits University. JHBStudents have seen a great number of students from most varsities around Joburg get involved in this venture. The other mission of JHBStudents is to build a society whereby a student goes to sign-up online and by them signing-up they get a JHBStudent “card” which they can use at certain companies at varying discount prices.
JHBStudents have hosted several competitions for major companies like Mr. Price, H2OAfrica, Holi-One and Vacca Matta, targeted towards students, via their Twitter and website platforms. JHBStudents envisions itself as being the biggest student brand around Gauteng from events, student accomodation, textbooks and stationery, transportation, advertising and clothing (they’re soon to release a clothing brand too). “JHBStudents must be the biggest student brand in Johannesburg.” Leighton declares with enthusiasm. As an added extra, they are planning on opening an online bookstore on their website, after all, literature is an essential tool for the modern day life, wouldn’t you agree?
Under the JHBStudents umbrella, is Frat Fridays, an event that happens once every month at an undisclosed location in Joburg. Its in fact a party for students to socialize and play some amazing games like your classical Beer-pong and Final Down-Down and moreover there’s even a “selfie booth” for the ladies. Hehe!
The next Frat Party will be on the 9th of May. The theme this time around will be “Back to High School.” Oh boy!
This is an amazing initiative for young people started by a young person. S/O to Leighton Friend!!!!
For further updates follow them on Twitter @JHBSTUDENTS or Frat Fridays
When you’re done following them, follow @Ric3hard.
