By Seleoe Nonyane
Network and software developing company, Code Empire Technology Company, has introduced Roma Online Shopping – an online shopping platform for the community of Roma.
The founder and chief executive officer of Code Empire Technology Company, Kotoane Makuetje told this publication that the company has developed many software and network applications, but ROS which is their flagship product which was launched recently.
He said that ROS is a platform where the public is just a click away from purchasing food stuffs from the comfort of their homes, and have them delivered in a moment’s notice.
Kotoane said he believes Lesotho could benefit from knowledge put to good use thereby, making ROS a live example of his belief.
Kotoane hails from Khubetsoana in Berea and he is a fourth-year Computer Science, Statistics and Economics student at the National University of Lesotho.
“I had to use the knowledge I had acquired; I went out there to meet people who could help make the hypothesis a reality.”
“I needed to help turn Lesotho into a digital paced world and increase employment chances”, he said.
Kotoane explained that to again access to the shop, one needs to download the APK file from the company’s Facebook page, that will take them to the website. On the website they will find several shops around Roma and fill up a basket with items of their choice.
“The process of buying is easy and reliable. One must go to the website; pick a shop they want to buy from. The database gives a prompt message that an order has been placed.
“A runner is sent to that shopper and within an hour they buy and deliver the stuff to the live location sent by the client requesting the service.
“The service fees are paid through mobile money agents,” he added.
He said the idea is to offer a broad online shopping experience to all Basotho nationwide.
“As part of our expansion, we have plans to push forward the market and explore other opportunities,” Kotoane said.
He said initially the idea came to him in 2021 after he had witnessed the lockdown and its troubles which came with the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, he mentioned that the project of building the ROS started in December 2022, and it was just completed recently.
“I needed to help turn Lesotho into a digital paced world and increase employment chances”, said Kotoane.
“I had to use the knowledge I had acquired and I went out there to meet people who would help make the hypothesis a reality.”
He said he did not work on this project all by himself as there are several people who were involved in making the building of ROS website and software application a success.
“Some were contractors and others interns; all of them played a role in building something that could have otherwise been difficult to achieve, that is having the website up and running in a time of 4 months,” he said.
