In this issue, we shine a spotlight on Marcus Lerutla, a Keyaka Student Magazine alumnus who took his experiences in student media and spun them into a career as a professional marketing content creator. From humble beginnings as Keyaka’s marketing officer, Marcus has navigated the journey from campus life to creative entrepreneurship, proving that dreams don’t have to follow a straight path to come true.
Marcus’s story begins in Jane Furse, Ga-Sekhukhune in Limpopo Province, where he grew up with a spark for creativity and a big-picture mindset. In the early years of his childhood his family then moved to Pretoria. Marcus originally envisioned pursuing his studies in the Gauteng Province. “Honestly, I hadn’t thought I’d end up at Limpopo,” he admits, “but sometimes life takes you where you need to be, not where you planned.”
He started off with his eye on accounting or economics, but an unexpected shift pulled him toward a degree in Development Planning and Management at the University of Limpopo in 2011, a move that reshaped his ambitions. “That programme opened my eyes,” he says. “It got me thinking differently, preparing me in ways I hadn’t expected.” His time at UL was transformative, marked by experiences that would define his professional journey.
In his role as marketing officer for Keyaka student magazine and Enactus, he learned project management and leadership. His position, Marcus says he has learnt the art of managing projects, collaborating, and leading. Balancing roles with Enactus, a non-profit organisation that educates, inspires, and supports young people to develop leadership skills and use innovation and entrepreneurship to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and improve their communities and as Public Relations Officer for the Black Management Forum (BMF), he sharpened his strategic thinking and storytelling skills. “Being involved with Keyaka, Enactus, and BMF taught me resilience and how to create impact,” he says. “I didn’t just dream, I learnt to make things happen.”
After graduating in 2014 with his honour’s degree in Planning and Management, Marcus took a bold leap and founded Rachealview Media in 2013 with the help of a National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) grant for his first camera. Hustling on weekends, learning the ropes on his own, and taking on high-profile projects, Marcus’s company started to build a name.
At 31, Marcus is a creative director and the founder of Rachealview Media, a production company; he also owns and runs The Honey Guy, selling honey through e-commerce, and Space Matters More, an interior design company. His thriving career spans multiple disciplines, including entrepreneurship, content creation, and YouTube.
University of Limpopo Alumni, Marcus Lerutla
Today, Marcus’s portfolio sparkles with achievements: campaigns for the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), content for the African Union (AU), and his own brand, The Honey Guy. “UL provided me with all the necessary resources to establish my career,” he asserts. Marcus envisions expanding his production company to direct a globally acclaimed film, building an international media agency that creates thousands of jobs, and mentoring young talent, especially University of Limpopo graduates. Through these goals, he hopes to leave a lasting mark on the industry and inspire future creatives.
Marcus’s advice to students? “Your network is your net worth,” he says. He encourages students to join organisations, build strong relationships, and keep growing. Reflecting on his university years and early career, he says, “I have absolutely no regrets. Every lesson, every connection made on campus, he carries with pride: “It’s not about where you thought you’d go; it’s about where you’re meant to be.”
