The trio of ladies joined forces on the entrepreneurship journey, daring to step into the male-dominated Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry. With the commonly used term “power of a woman” embedded in them, they persevered, holding onto a more profound value that gave them the strength to endure. Oris Root, a purple flower which blooms throughout the darkest winter storms and the warm sunshine of summer, never fades and flourishes in all conditions. Londiwe Mogapi, Zodwa Ngubeni and Faith Ditlhong, who have since parted ways, were set on building a business that would withstand the test of time, ensuring that their “flower” would forever bloom.

Oris Root opened its doors to the public in 2018 at Halfway House, Midrand, providing a wide range of technological products and services to corporate companies, Small and Medium Enterprises –(SMEs) as well as individual clients. They are proud to say that their value lies in their ability to provide end-to-end solutions, from planning to deployment and monitoring. Their company has since embarked on a new journey which is taking them through the process of great transformation and restructuring that will ultimately align their business profile with the dire need in South African education and skills development.

Despite this new focus, the initial services provided by Oris Root will not be excluded but instead used to enhance and expand the business, enabling the company to create jobs and increase its internship programme.

Within this lies Londi and Zodwa’s intentions to contribute as much as possible to solving the youth unemployment crisis in South Africa. Londi believes that if Oris Root can only change a few lives, then at least those previously unemployed or under-skilled youth will have the chance at bettering themselves. Both Londi and Zodwa hope that their impact on these youth instils not only skills but also specific human values that would encourage them to assist others in the future. It is better to touch just one life than not trying at all.

The company hosts three interns currently, which sparked an idea in Londi and Zodwa about how they could help bridge the youth unemployment gap through market research done during the hard lockdowns, when they, unfortunately, had to close their doors. This proved that a lack of education and skills significantly contributes to the 63.9% youth unemployment rate. Although Oris Root had been suppliers of laptops and printers to Siyakhula in the past, they had not heard of the possibility of becoming a beneficiary through the Enterprise Supplier Development ESD programme.

Oris Root joined the Siyakhula family in 2021, with Londi remarking that they are amazed by Siyakhula’s attention to detail and valuable guidance. In the interim, Oris Root has become SETA accredited and is gradually introducing high impact development programmes to produce outstanding human performance. The company also specialises in developing IT-related skills across multiple levels and business sectors, intending to equip learners with the tools needed to increase productivity. Londi says that the skills development programmes will also incorporate necessary soft skills like work etiquette, professionalism, and human interaction skills, thus transforming youth candidates into well-rounded individuals ready for either employment or entrepreneurship.

To the youth and young entrepreneurs starting on their journey, she reminds them that they can become anyone and do anything they put their minds to. “As far as you can see is as far as you will go, remembering not to blame anyone but always to look within as this is your race and only you can run it.

ORIS ROOT Tel: +79 689 1863
Email:info@orisroot.co.za
londiwem@orisroot.co.za
Website: www.orisroot.co.za
Address: 55 Richards Drive, Halfway House, Midrand, 1685

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