Celebrating 40 Years of Impact: Spotlight on Former-Employee Thapelo Maakwe

As Ornico celebrates 40 years of innovation and excellence, we are excited to share the stories of those who have contributed to our journey. This month, we shine a spotlight on Thapelo Maakwe, an ex-employee whose journey exemplifies personal growth and resilience.

A Fresh Start

Thapelo Maakwe began his career at Ornico as a fresh-faced young man eager to make his mark in the media industry. Reflecting on his early days, Thapelo shared, “I started at Ornico as a fresh-faced young man working as a radio logger for a few months before moving to C.A.R as a C.A.R Editor where there was an opening.” His dedication and keen eye for detail quickly led him to the role of C.A.R Editor, where he spent four years mastering content analysis and reporting.

Rising Through the Ranks

Thapelo’s journey was marked by a series of opportunities that allowed him to grow both professionally and personally. As a Special Projects Coordinator, he was entrusted with testing new software developed in collaboration with a professor from Potchefstroom University. This role challenged him and highlighted his commitment to innovation.

In 2010, Thapelo took a leap of faith by moving to Lagos, Nigeria, to assist in launching Ornico’s branch there. He reflects, “Being trusted enough to help launch Ornico Nigeria is probably my proudest moment in my career yet.” This experience proved to be a turning point, shaping his approach to leadership and teamwork.

Motivation and Commitment

Throughout his eight-year tenure, Thapelo’s love for the media industry and his background in advertising and TV production kept him motivated. “My love for the media industry, especially because I studied Advertising and TV production. The opportunity to always learn and the fact that our ideas were valued,” he says. Thapelo appreciated the space to be creative and the encouragement he received from colleagues, which helped him grow from a shy newcomer into a confident leader.

Evolution and Growth

Reflecting on his time at Ornico, Thapelo witnessed the company’s transition from media monitoring to brand intelligence. “When I started, the company was more focused on Media Monitoring. But how they slowly switched their focus to Brand Intelligence was awesome to experience,” he recalls. This evolution mirrored his personal growth within the organization and showcased his ability to adapt in an ever-changing industry.

Thapelo credits his experience at Ornico with preparing him for future success. The wisdom imparted by Ornico’s CEO, Oresti, that “there are no problems in life, only challenges,” became a guiding principle for him, shaping his perspective on overcoming obstacles throughout his career.

A Legacy of Impact

Thapelo Maakwe’s journey is a testament to his dedication and growth throughout his time at Ornico. As we celebrate our 40th birthday, we honor Thapelo’s contributions and the role he played in shaping our company’s legacy.

As Ornico continues to lead in the fields of media monitoring and brand intelligence, we remain committed to empowering our employees, clients, and partners to achieve greatness.

Here’s to 40 years of impact and many more to come.