Oakdene resident’s app could revolutionise local business and employment

Last year, young Fortune Maleba from Oakdene took matters into his own hands to make ends meet.

He started a dog-walking business, offering services to residents of Johannesburg south.

The company was a success, allowing Fortune to sustain himself. However, while he was grateful for the opportunity, he knew this was not a long-term solution. His dreams were bigger, and he wanted to do more.

Now, Fortune is stepping into tech entrepreneurship with the launch of Longo, an app set to make waves.

Designed to connect people who can help with everyday tasks, Longo is for individuals needing services and businesses or entrepreneurs looking for a platform to showcase their skills.

The birth of Longo

Fortune’s entrepreneurial journey did not stop with dog walking. As he worked with the community and saw firsthand the demand for services, he saw an opportunity to create a solution.

“I realised people will always need help with various tasks – someone walks their dogs, does their nails or home repairs,” said Fortune.

Longo is a dynamic South African app that aims to connect individuals with reliable service providers in their area.

Whether you need a handyman, personal trainer or legal advice, Longo allows users to find help quickly and easily.

“The app’s goal is to make hiring someone for any job as simple as possible,” Fortune emphasised.
“No task is too big or small.”

From idea, to prototype

To bring his vision to life, Fortune partnered with childhood friend Kamohelo Shasha and a team of five app developers.

The app is currently in the developmental stage and will launch soon.

Despite being in its early stages, the Longo team already has a prototype with 300 service providers, including electricians, plumbers, lawyers and gardeners.

Longo’s unique feature narrows down searches by location, bringing services closer to its users’ needs.

“We want to bring everyone together. If you are looking for piano lessons, for example, instead of getting a list of classes in Midrand, Longo brings you an option close to where you are,” Fortune explained.

“It is about creating a community.”

Fortune and Kamo also see Longo as a tool to help address the unemployment crisis in our communities. With fewer companies hiring, many young people are turning to self-employment and entrepreneurship.

Longo provides the perfect platform to showcase one’s skills and to connect with potential clients.

“We want this app to go beyond South Africa’s borders and become a global platform that connects people.”

The dog walking business is the foundation

While Longo will change how people find services, getting the app off the ground has not been easy for Fortune and his partners. The process has taken a lot of time, effort and investment.

For Fortune, his dog-walking business provided the initial funding.

“I have gone from walking a few dogs last year to walking up to 16 different dogs weekly,” he shared.

“I would leave the house at 06:00 am and return at 18:00 because I was at my maximum with about seven dogs per day.”

However, it was this experience that gave him the motivation to go after something bigger.

“It showed me any idea you put out into the world can work, and it gave me the thrust to start something as ambitious as Longo.”

The future of Longo

As the excitement builds ahead of the launch, Fortune knows there is still work to be done.

The team will do training in areas like the POPIA Act, copyright laws, and FICA to prepare the app to operate legally and effectively.

“This is going to be the people’s app and we want it to be accessible to everyone,” Fortune said.

“Longo is not limited to Johannesburg; we aim to bring this service to communities across the country, and hopefully, even beyond.”

With its launch around the corner, Fortune and his team focus on making Longo a success.

The young entrepreneur continues to grow and remains committed to his vision of creating something that can have a lasting impact on the community and provide opportunities for others.

His journey is a reminder that with hard work and the right mindset, even the smallest ideas can become life-changing innovations. For a sneak peek into what Longo has to offer, visit www.longo.africa.