Matric student Jaydon who lives alone credits TikTok family for changing his life

Jaydon, an 18-year-old matric learner living alone in a shack, posted a heartfelt TikTok reflecting on his journey
He compared his life six years ago to now, crediting his online community for the support he never had at home
His message to other struggling teenagers moved thousands of South Africans in the comments

An 18-year-old matric learner living alone in a modest corrugated-iron home has opened up about how his TikTok following has become the family he cannot be with during one of the hardest years of his life.

Jaydon, who goes by @jayyy2crazyyy on TikTok, posted the selfie-style vlog on 26 October 2026, giving his followers a raw look inside his home. He shared a throwback photo or clip from six years prior as a way of showing how far he has come, not in material terms, but emotionally. He said:

"I went from being the loneliest person to having so many people rooting for me, cheering me on, sending me kind messages and being there for me."

Living alone while finishing matric

Jaydon has previously spoken about his life living alone in a shack while completing his matric exams, a situation that has resonated deeply with South Africans. In this latest video, he acknowledged that his living circumstances are not without some blessings, saying he is grateful to have a roof over his head and what he needs. Still, he was honest about the emotional weight of it all.

"It comes to a point where you just wanna come home to your family and you can't, because you have to finish school and so many things," he said.

He closed the video with a message aimed at other young people going through similar struggles, reminding them that there are good people in the world who see the best in them and encouraging them to keep going.

"This is the last emotional vlog I promise. Thank you guys so so so much. I love you all."

View the TikTok video below:

Mzansi and the world show up for Jaydon

The video drew over 600 comments on his page, with people reaching out from as far as England:

@Vickyroo88:

"I love you all the way from England! Where did the link go to contribute nephew?"

@just_rosi3:

"And I hope you know that you deserve the love, yeah? Often times when we've gone so long without support/love, it feels like we don't deserve it when we finally receive it. You deserve the support, you deserve the love, you deserve to feel every emotion you're feeling right now ❤"

@💕 Ru💕:

"Don't call yourself a mentally messed up person. Speak only good things over your life. You're allowed to feel every emotion but you are not what happened to you. I have so much respect for you, you're doing good and I'm so proud that you have reached out. You deserve everything that's good in life ❤"

@Shimmy:

"Ai seuna [Oh my word]. I wish I could come gift you with some home cooked meals to make your matric exams a bit more bearable. 🥺"

@Leenah🌸:

"Those cans up there, oh how I wish Coca-Cola can see this collection."

Matric student Jaydon who lives alone credits TikTok family for changing his life

Living alone while finishing matric

Mzansi and the world show up for Jaydon

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