Behind every food order is a person, a journey, a story… and thanks to T Motise, South Africans are finally seeing the full picture.
Western Cape, South Africa (28 November 2025) – If you’ve ever opened a delivery app without thinking twice about the person behind the order, you’re not alone. But a young graduate is changing that, one honest TikTok at a time… and South Africans are paying attention.
Originally from Limpopo and now based in the Western Cape, T Motise is a university graduate with a Bachelor of Education. On paper, he should be in a classroom teaching learners. In reality, he’s riding through neighbourhoods delivering food.
And while he hasn’t yet found work in the career he studied for, he’s teaching South Africa something just as important… empathy.
The first TikTok that reached the masses was a tough one to watch. In it, he admitted that he often delivers food while hungry himself. No theatrics. No self-pity. Just a quiet, honest confession about the reality many drivers face every single day.
@tmotise.iaac The struggle is real. One day is one day. Let’s not allow to burden ourselves on our job. #fyp #life #relate #tmotise ♬ Overcome – Skott
South Africans reacted with the kind of warmth we sometimes forget we’re capable of until moments like this remind us.
“Next time I order, I will order two and hand one to the driver.”
“This is why I order an extra burger just for the driver + R20 cash tip.”
“If you ever come to our shop 🥰 feel free to say you’re hungry 🥰 we will feed you.”
Comment after comment poured in. Not to shame or to criticise… but to uplift. Because at the heart of this country are people who care, deeply and instinctively.
And when we went digging through his TikTok page, we realised something remarkable: this man isn’t just sharing moments… he’s sharing a movement.
@tmotise.iaac The worst day for my life as a Mr D and Takealot delivery guy. Better days are coming. #fyp #life #tmotise #contentcreator ♬ Manifestation – Perfect, so dystopian
@tmotise.iaac Do you guys think I should do it? #fyp #life #relate #tmotise #contentcreator ♬ Motivational Story – Carla bxd
T Motise takes viewers behind the scenes of life as a food delivery driver. The hours, the waiting, the weather, the challenges, the payment breakdowns, the tips (or lack of tips), the kilometres, the hopes, the discouragement and the determination. He documents hitting his daily goals, sometimes only wrapping up around 10pm. He laughs through the tough bits. He celebrates the wins. He shows patience, effort and the kind of grit that often goes unnoticed. But more than anything, he is using his platform to help others. He gives practical advice to South Africans wanting to join the industry, on how to earn, what to expect and where the pitfalls are. He talks transparently about how the apps pay, what drivers need to survive a shift and how customers can make small choices that make a huge difference.
He is humanising a service we use every day but rarely think about beyond the app screen.
And that’s why this story matters.
T Motise might not be standing in front of a classroom right now but he is teaching the entire country about dignity, resilience and kindness. He’s reminding us that behind every order is someone’s time, someone’s hunger, someone’s safety and someone’s story.
When he shares, South Africans listen.
And when South Africans listen, kindness follows.
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